7 replies to this topic

[ManDaisy]

I see cards with vga, dvi, and hdmi outputs all comming out of the back. My question is do does graphics detail matter with which plug you use? Does the same follow that the best picture for your monitor is HDMI like with TVs? How important should the output be when shopping for a card and monitor?

Edited by ManDaisy, 15 June 2012 - 03:56 PM.

[Team Leader]

HDMI is the preferred video type I think, but the differences are usually so negligible it barely even matters. HDMI helps if you don't like dealing with a lot of cables for sure.

[Nikoliy]

here is an article for HDMI vs VGA
http://homecinematic...m/107/vga-hdmi/

DVI and HDMI have almost same capabilities for video so you might as well stick to HDMI b/c that format supports audio and newer versions(1.4) have network support as well. Not that you need all that for your monitor but you might as well start getting used to it

[Catamount]

HDMI and DVI are basically interchangeable; one's no better than the other unless you want to carry audio (although HDMI is less of a pain, cable-wise). VGA should be considered a no-go unless it's one's last resort.

[zzBigFootzz]

HDMI = 3D / Blue Ray 1080P (Digital)
DVI: Standard connection (Digital) (Fine for anything)
VGA: Avoid, this is analog, don't even convert VGA to DVI

Personally I like DVI, its more secure, you have two thumbscrews that secure the cable to the monitor and to the video card. HDMI is fine and secure enough, although on my samsung monitor is loose and if the monitor moves, could lose the connection.

Get DVI or HDMI, both are fine but avoid VGA

[Orzorn]

HDMI and DVI are both digital standards and produce the same exact quality, but HDMI can also do sound, which is entirely useless in relation to computers, since you'll be connected to the video card (which, obviously, does not output sound).

VGA isn't used nearly as often and is becoming an outdated standard.

So just stick to DVI or HDMI and you'll be fine. Don't worry about making either one support one another, as the conversion between HDMI and DVI is flawless, since they're the exact same signal, just a different cable. All you need is an adapter in such cases.

[zzBigFootzz]

What I was looking for was HDCP High Bandwidth digital copy protection was originally supported only my HDMI but has since been adapted to DVI standard using special DVI cables. You only need to be concerned with HDCP if your watching certain Blu Rays that have HDCP. What they usually do is encrypt the 1080P channel, if you don't have HDCP you get 720P.

Not a worry with gaming really..

[Dale]

So, prior to seeing this topic, I had no idea that there was that large of a difference between using VGA and using HDMI. I've been using a VGA cable the entire time I've been using my computer, and had a spare HDMI cable in a drawer. I had previously hooked up the HDMI cable to the monitor, but had issues with it (which I know now to have been caused by my monitor having Overscan on), so I had neglected it. After reading this article, and switching to the HDMI cable, I've already noticed a considerable difference in quality. So, thanks for starting this topic.