RGBHV

RGBHV (RGB + separate Horizontal and Vertical sync) is an analog video signal format that transmits the red, green, and blue color channels on three individual 75Ω lines, plus two additional lines carrying separate horizontal sync (H-sync) and vertical sync (V-sync) signals. This five-wire configuration is the signaling method used by the VGA standard and its successors for computer displays, and is the standard input format on multi-sync professional CRT monitors.

RGBHV is closely related to RGBS, differing only in how synchronization is handled: RGBS combines horizontal and vertical sync into a single composite sync wire (four wires total), while RGBHV keeps them separate (five wires total). See also VGA (RGBHV) for information about the DE-15 connector that most commonly carries RGBHV signals.

Overview

The separation of horizontal and vertical sync onto dedicated lines provides the cleanest possible synchronization, as there is no need for sync separation circuitry at the display. This is particularly important for multi-sync monitors that must lock onto a wide range of scan rates, from 15 kHz (standard-definition video) through 100+ kHz (high-resolution computer graphics). The display receives unambiguous H and V timing on their own channels, simplifying the sync processing circuitry and improving stability across different resolutions and refresh rates.

Like RGBS, RGBHV carries the original red, green, and blue color signals directly without any encoding or matrix conversion. The display's electron guns (in the case of a CRT) receive exactly the color data they need, providing the highest possible analog image quality.

Signal Characteristics

Parameter	Value
Signal type	Five-channel analog (R, G, B, H-sync, V-sync)
R/G/B signal level	0.7V peak-to-peak, 75Ω impedance
H-sync / V-sync	TTL level (0–5V) or 75Ω level, typically active low
Impedance	75Ω per channel (video); TTL or 75Ω (sync)
Supported scan rates	15 kHz to 100+ kHz horizontal (depending on display)
Common connectors	DE-15 (VGA), BNC ×5 (professional)
Standards	VESA VSIS, VESA DDC (via DE-15)

Relationship to Other RGB Formats

The three main analog RGB sync configurations represent a tradeoff between cable count and sync separation:

Format	Wires	Sync method
RGBHV	5	Separate horizontal and vertical sync
RGBS	4	Composite sync (H+V combined)
RGsB	3	Sync embedded in green channel

Many professional multi-sync CRT monitors accept all three formats and can auto-detect the sync type. Consumer displays, however, typically support only one: European CRT televisions use RGBS via SCART, while computer monitors use RGBHV via the VGA/DE-15 connector.

Converting between formats is straightforward with simple passive or low-power active circuits. An RGBHV signal can be converted to RGBS using a sync combiner (XOR gate or similar), and to RGsB by further combining the composite sync onto the green channel. Conversely, a sync separator/stripper can extract H and V from composite sync for conversion in the other direction.

Connectors

RGBHV is carried over two primary connector types:

• DE-15 (VGA) — the standard 15-pin high-density D-sub connector used on virtually all computer monitors and graphics cards from 1987 onward. The five video signals (R, G, B, H-sync, V-sync) occupy five of the fifteen pins, with the remainder used for ground, DDC data, and monitor identification. Despite sharing a single multi-pin connector, the signals are not individually shielded within the connector housing, which can introduce crosstalk at very high resolutions.

• BNC ×5 — five separate BNC connectors (one per signal) provide the highest signal integrity by maintaining full 75Ω coaxial shielding through each connector. This configuration is standard on professional CRT monitors (Sony PVM/BVM, Ikegami, Barco, NEC MultiSync) and high-end computer workstation monitors. The individual coaxial cables eliminate crosstalk entirely, making BNC the preferred connection for demanding applications.

Use on CRT Displays

Computer CRT Monitors

RGBHV via DE-15 (VGA) was the universal analog connection standard for computer CRT monitors from the late 1980s through the mid-2000s. Every VGA-compatible CRT monitor accepts RGBHV, from basic fixed-frequency 640×480 models to high-end multi-sync monitors supporting resolutions up to 2048×1536 and beyond.

Computer CRT monitors are inherently multi-scan devices, designed to lock onto a wide range of horizontal scan rates. Common ranges include 31–65 kHz (typical consumer monitors), 15–100 kHz (professional multi-sync monitors), and even wider ranges on broadcast reference monitors. The separate H and V sync signals of RGBHV are essential for this flexibility.

Professional Multi-Sync Monitors

High-end professional CRT monitors (Sony BVM-D series, Ikegami HTM series, Barco reference monitors) often accept RGBHV via BNC alongside RGBS and RGsB, with automatic sync detection. These monitors can display both standard-definition video (240p/480i at 15 kHz) and high-resolution computer graphics (1080p+ at 31 kHz and above) by simply switching input modes.

For the retro gaming community, multi-sync monitors that accept RGBHV are valuable because they can display both classic 15 kHz console video (via sync conversion) and higher-frequency outputs from systems like the Dreamcast (480p VGA), PlayStation 2, and original Xbox.

HD CRT Televisions

Some HD CRT televisions, particularly models sold outside North America, included a DE-15 (VGA) input that accepted RGBHV for use as a PC monitor. Sony's Super Fine Pitch (SFP) widescreen CRTs sold in European and Asian markets commonly featured this input. These sets could display 480p, 720p, and 1080i resolutions via the VGA input, though without HDCP support for protected content.

See Also

• VGA (RGBHV) — The DE-15 connector interface commonly carrying RGBHV
• RGBS — Four-wire RGB with composite sync
• RGsB — Three-wire RGB with sync on green
• Component (YPbPr) — Three-channel analog video (luminance + color difference)
• BNC — Professional connector used for RGBHV on multi-sync monitors