The personal computer industry has established several video controller resolution and color standards. Some of these are described below.

- Hercules Graphics Compatible (HGC):

HGC boards have become the video controller-of-choice for basic personal computer video display monitor systems. Providing dot resolutions up to 720x350, HGC boards display good quality text and graphics, while using shading to accommodate color software.

- Color Graphics Adaptor (CGA):

The original CGA boards featured very low resolution, typically 320 x 200. This was because they were originally intended home computers that were used for advanced video games. Recently, however, CGA resolution has been improved to 640 x 200. With the higher resolution, CGA has gained acceptance in the office environment. By using colored text screens and low-level graphics, a number of software packages have been made easier to use.

- Enhanced Graphics Adaptor (EGA):

EGA video systems provide high resolution (640 x 350 maximum) color graphics capabilities. These monitor systems are often used in computer-aideddesign workstations and other software applications requiring a larger number of on-screen colors than CGA controllers can provide.

- Video Graphics Array (VGA):

Recently, a new video standard has emerged to take advantage of the features of the multi-sync monitors. Providing up to 720x400 dot resolution, these systems have been used in applications that require the highest possible video resolution, such as desktop publishing, computer-aideddesign (CAD/CAE), and broadcast quality computer graphics.

C-2 Video Monitor Systems