A video splitter does exactly what it sounds like it does. It can split the one incoming video feed into two or more video feeds. Video splitters are normally used to split a cable signal throughout a house. If there is a television in three bedrooms and the living room, the single incoming video feed must be routed to four locations. The video splitter would have one incoming plug and four outgoing plugs. Then the individual feeds can be routed to the correct positions.
A VGA splitter is a special type of video splitter that can only split a VGA signal. These signals often come from an antennae located outside the house. If a VGA splitter is used to split a cable signal, it will not work. It will only split a specific type of signal: a VGA signal.
There are many different and specialized video splitters. If the wrong one is used, the incoming will not be split into one or more signals. The splitter does not know how to split the signal because it is the wrong type.
A USB video capture is a universal video capture is a web camera that is connected to a computer through a USB port. These allow the analog web camera to communicate to the digital electronics of a computer.
Most computer components today will not allow the incorrect type of splitter to be used. It is similar to a key that fits into a door. While some keys will work in the wrong door, some keys will not fit at all. Computer ‘keys’ are similar when it comes to hooking up external peripherals.