DVI or VGA?

For system help, all hardware / software topics NOTE: use Coders Corner for all coders topics.

Moderators: Krom, Grendel

Post Reply
Gammaray
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 444
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2000 2:01 am
Location: California
Contact:

DVI or VGA?

Post by Gammaray »

guess the topic sums it up.

I just picked up a samsung flat panel display and it has both DVI and VGA inputs. which is better?

I have both outputs on my video card, so the only thing I need to do is buy an extra cable if it's worth it.
MD-2389
Defender of the Night
Defender of the Night
Posts: 13477
Joined: Thu Nov 05, 1998 12:01 pm
Location: Olathe, KS
Contact:

Post by MD-2389 »

DVI

"Digital Video Input"

VGA is just a digital signal converted to analog, so in theory you loose image quality.
User avatar
Grendel
3d Pro Master
3d Pro Master
Posts: 4390
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2002 3:01 am
Location: Corvallis OR, USA

Post by Grendel »

MD-2389 wrote:DVI
x2
CritterB
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 261
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 1999 2:01 am
Location: Gainesville, FL

Post by CritterB »

DVI all the way. Although I have a Samsung as well and have nevre tried the vga. But dvi is strictly digital with no analog conversion.
User avatar
DCrazy
DBB Alumni
DBB Alumni
Posts: 8826
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2000 3:01 am
Location: Seattle

Post by DCrazy »

Like MD said, DVI dodges an analog-to-digital conversion inside the monitor. The signal also stays cleaner over a longer distance.
User avatar
Krom
DBB Database Master
DBB Database Master
Posts: 16114
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 1998 3:01 am
Location: Camping the energy center. BTW, did you know you can have up to 100 characters in this location box?
Contact:

Post by Krom »

DVI, because you won't ever have to adjust the screen.
User avatar
Mobius
DBB_Master
DBB_Master
Posts: 7940
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2001 2:01 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Contact:

Post by Mobius »

DVI.

BUT, to muddy the waters somewhat, it's necessary to raise the subject of the TMDS transmitter on the GFx card: the transmitter must meet the DVI spec, which displays as an "eye shape" on the oscilloscope.

The spec is pretty strict on what passes, and unfortunately, most DVI output stages do NOT pass the spec.

This means it is highly unlikely that any DVI GFx card/Screen combo you have is actually performing within the strict range of acceptable curves in the DVI spec.

It's time some of the hardware sites started to really test the DVI output of review items, as regards meeting the spec, because the image quality of a card which DOES meet the spec, is substantially higher than one which does NOT.
Gammaray
DBB Ace
DBB Ace
Posts: 444
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2000 2:01 am
Location: California
Contact:

Post by Gammaray »

Thanks for the enlightenment guys, much appreciated. :)
Post Reply