Hey, I have a question about inputs. I am looking to get a 32-37" HDTV and use it as my monitor as well. Is DVI really that much better than VGA input or not? Please help with information.
Most modern video cards and monitors have both. Odds are you don't have to choose until you are standing at your computer deciding what to hook up.
The 15 pin VGA jack is an analog signal. Your video card produces a screen image in a digital format in memory. To send that image across a VGA cable it has to convert to an analog signal. CRT monitors needed that analog signal to paint the screen. LCD monitors need digital data to render a screen so if it gets analog signal from the cable it has to convert it back before using it.
For this reason the DVI cable is (theoretically) more efficient and likely provides a marginally better image. You are sending the actual usable digital version of the screen image vs encoding and decoding it.
That said the encoding/decoding process is so fast it is insignificant compared to the time taken to render a screen on the video card and the monitors max refresh rate. So really you're not likely to see any actual performance improvement moving from VGA to DVI cable.
Thanks, I really appreciate it. I have been trying to figure that question out for a while. Some people say DVI is much better, others say no difference. So with that considered I will most likely purchase an HDTV with VGA.
Thanks, I really appreciate it. I have been trying to figure that question out for a while. Some people say DVI is much better, others say no difference. So with that considered I will most likely purchase an HDTV with VGA. killthebrews19
Unless you're saving a significant amount of money by doing that, I wouldn't bother.
Most modern video cards and monitors have both. Odds are you don't have to choose until you are standing at your computer deciding what to hook up.
The 15 pin VGA jack is an analog signal. Your video card produces a screen image in a digital format in memory. To send that image across a VGA cable it has to convert to an analog signal. CRT monitors needed that analog signal to paint the screen. LCD monitors need digital data to render a screen so if it gets analog signal from the cable it has to convert it back before using it.
For this reason the DVI cable is (theoretically) more efficient and likely provides a marginally better image. You are sending the actual usable digital version of the screen image vs encoding and decoding it.
That said the encoding/decoding process is so fast it is insignificant compared to the time taken to render a screen on the video card and the monitors max refresh rate. So really you're not likely to see any actual performance improvement moving from VGA to DVI cable.
DVI will automatically detect the native resolution of the monitor and fit the screen. In VGA, the resolution might not even be available without drivers and you have to make manual adjustments.
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