dvi - do you need it

Z

zanthia

n00b
Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
53
My monitor just died and I need to get a replacement. I have been
looking at the Samsung 27-inch monitor at Costco, but it has no DVI. I
don’t know what difference having DVI makes. I use my computer for
making digital scrap pages and playing computer games (no on-line
games though.)

Can someone please explain in simple terms what DVI adds to a monitor
and if it would make a difference for my computer use.

Thank you
 
VGA = analog and DVI = digital. At 1080p I don't think there's much difference.
 
HDMI=DVI plus audio. If your computer doesn't have HDMI output its DVI output can be converted to HDMI (minus audio) with a DVI to HDMI adapter or cable.
 
often DVI can provide a more crisp image however we have some 22' LG LCD here at work 1920 x 1080 and they actually look dam good!
 
You don't necessarily need DVI but it needs some form of digital input (DP, DVI, HDMI). VGA gives an inferior picture and newer devices will not even be cable of analog out.
 
Evi1d33d said:
VGA = analog and DVI = digital. At 1080p I don't think there's much difference.
Click to expand...

DVI can carry analogue & digital although newer video cards are stopping analogue output (for copyright reasons). It was a messy first attempt at a digital video standard and its going to slowly get phased out.

If the 27" Samsung is the SA27A850 (its 2560x1440) then DVI & HDMI aren't the same. I dont know if HDMI (single-link) will work properly with DVI (dual-link) even if from a signalling point of view they're the same.
 
I believe the costco monitor is model number S27A350H and it is on sale now for 279.

Our computer does have DVI output, but the monitor doesn't.

I just need to know what I am losing by not having DVI.

Thank you
 
Its a 1080p monitor with only HDMI input so its digital only anyway.

DVI & HDMI are almost identical. The digital data transmitted is basically the same but DVI can carry analogue too (but support depends on the device at both ends). DVI supports higher resolutions by adding a second set of data lines. HDMI increases the speed of the data send through a single set of lines. Until you go above 1080p/1200p resolutions they are the same thing really.
 
Just wanted to reiterate what others have said.

Just grab a DVI -> HDMI cable from monoprice and you'll be all set.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top