DV vs VGA

[tanerb]

I bought a 19 inch LCD monitor. Will it make a difference on video quality if i use DV connection instead of VGA to the computer?

[greymalkin]

if possible, I would use the DVI connection..you will get a sharper/cleaner image on the monitor. Its kind of like going from RCA out to Digital Coax. or Optical out from your DVD player to the receiver. You will have greater clarity.

[garrisonkw]

Greymalkin - how are you going to get a cleaner/sharper image on an LCD monitor? My understanding is digital is digital so it doesn't matter. The quality of the LCD monitor should be the only deciding factor. Am I wrong here. Keep in mind the LCD is only 19".

[junkmalle]

Greymalkin - how are you going to get a cleaner/sharper image on an LCD monitor? My understanding is digital is digital so it doesn't matter. The quality of the LCD monitor should be the only deciding factor. Am I wrong here. Keep in mind the LCD is only 19".

With DVI the computer directly transfers it's digital image to the LCD, no conversions, no loss. Using a VGA cable, the computer will convert it's internal digital video to analog to send through the VGA cable. The monitor will then convert it back into digital form to display on the LCD. Two conversions, two layers of loss.

How visible the difference is depends on a lot of factors. Often manufacturers assume you'll use the DVI connector and toss a crappy VGA section in as an afterthought. If that's the case there will be a big difference. Some manufacturers use high quality VGA sections so there's not much difference between the two.

[garrisonkw]

Cool. Thanks. Makes sense. I'm reasonably tech savvy, I just never thought about how the VGA connectors really work.

[greymalkin]

when you use a very long VGA cable you get noticeable ghosting/degredation of the video. Thats the only way i knew the VGA cable was analog...well that and LCD's are labeled as being analog or digital

[edDV]

when you use a very long VGA cable you get noticeable ghosting/degredation of the video. Thats the only way i knew the VGA cable was analog...well that and LCD's are labeled as being analog or digital

LCD monitors all have a native resolution. For 19" that is usually 1280x1024. You will get best performance at that resolution using DVI-D.

[greymalkin]

we have some of the incredibly expensive widescreen MAC monitors up at work that are absolutely beautiful..we also have a few Dell ultrasharp 20.1" lcd's hooked to GX280's via dvi cable and at their native resolution (1600 x 1200) they are also very veery sharp.