Super VGA (SVGA) is a blanket title given to extensions upon theVideo Graphics Array (VGA) video display standard, mostly by PC clone manufacturers since VGA was introduced in the late '80s. Super VGA was defined by theVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA). SVGA is also often used to specify a display resolution of800x600. This was the resolution originally called for when SVGA was first defined. It called for 4-bit pixels (each pixel could be any of 16 colors).

After a short while, it was extended to a higher resolution of1024x768, with 8-bit pixels, and ever since, under the SVGA blanket there has been quite an advancement in display resolution. As for color itself, the analog interface between the video card and the VGA/SVGA monitor easily indicates the desired color depth, meaning technically, from the point of view of the monitor, there is no limit on the number of colors that can be displayed. This is in contrast to the restrictive nature ofColor Graphics Adapter (CGA) andEnhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA), and underlines how much of an improvement came with the advancement of SVGA.

The video card is where the colour limitations kick in, not the monitor. The output of the video card through VGA is analog, but the internal card operations are digital. The calculation limitations of the card therefore dictate its performance when used with a monitor, but the VGA monitor itself could display a much better image with a better card without having to be replaced or upgraded in any way.

Almost all new systems (based on VGA) created during the 90s and shortly after the year 2000 have been labeled under the SVGA blanket name, which was considered an easier method than coming up with a specific name for every one developed.

SVGA uses the VGA connector, a three-row 15 pin DE-15 connector.

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