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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is tasked with connecting a legacy…
A technician is tasked with connecting a legacy projector that only has a VGA input to a modern laptop that has only HDMI and USB-C outputs. Which adapter should the technician use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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HDMI to VGA active adapter
Since VGA is analog and HDMI is digital, an active converter is needed. A USB-C to VGA adapter can work if the laptop supports video over USB-C, but an HDMI to VGA adapter is also an option if the laptop has HDMI. The best answer is an HDMI to VGA active adapter, as it directly converts the digital signal to analog.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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USB-C to VGA passive adapter
Why it's wrong here
A USB-C to VGA passive adapter is unsuitable because USB-C typically transmits digital video signals (e.g., DisplayPort Alt Mode), whereas VGA requires an analog signal. A passive adapter only re-routes electrical connections or changes connector form factors without converting signal types. To bridge digital to analog, an active converter containing a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) chip is essential, which a passive adapter lacks.
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HDMI to VGA active adapter
Why this is correct
An HDMI to VGA active adapter is the correct choice because it performs the necessary digital-to-analog signal conversion. HDMI outputs a digital video signal from the laptop, while a legacy projector with a VGA input requires an analog signal. The active adapter contains internal circuitry, specifically a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), to accurately translate the digital HDMI signal into the analog format compatible with the VGA projector.
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VGA to HDMI cable
Why it's wrong here
A VGA to HDMI cable is designed for the opposite signal flow and conversion. This type of cable is intended to connect an older device with an analog VGA output to a modern display with a digital HDMI input. The problem requires connecting a modern laptop (digital output) to a legacy projector (analog input), meaning this cable would attempt to send an analog signal to a digital input, which is not the required direction or conversion.
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USB-C to HDMI adapter
Why it's wrong here
A USB-C to HDMI adapter successfully converts the DisplayPort Alternate Mode signal from a USB-C port into a digital HDMI output. However, the legacy projector only accepts a VGA input, which is an analog signal. While this adapter provides a digital HDMI signal, it does not perform the subsequent conversion to the required analog VGA format, making it insufficient on its own to connect to the projector.
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