VGA vs DVI

McRackin

McRackin

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
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I bought a 24" samsung 2443 on boxing day and I use it for both my PS3 and my PC. I use an HD to DVI cable for my PS3 at 1080p resolution, but for my PC I use a VGA to DVI at 1920x1200 resolution. I do this because I don't have to pull out the DVI cable every time I switch between using the PS3 and my PC.

Is there any quality differences I am missing out on with my PC? My video card is a ati hd4850.
 
how so? im using vga right now and its running 1920x1200 res just fine with no flickering and good color....what kind of quality am i going to get that i dont already have
 
digital vs analog signal. I think it will look a good amount sharper.

It's what i have seen on my own displays anyways.
 
Due to it's digital signaling, DVI is less susceptible to noise and crosstalk than VGA. But that doesn't mean VGA will always be poor quality compared to DVI. If you can't see a difference, then don't worry about it.


Be aware, most monitors lose some functions when in VGA mode, and scaling and aspect ratio control is almost impossible.
 
i can see every individual pixel on 1920x1200 and they are not blurred at all. its perfectly sharp. i know we have a tendency to say "digital > analog" but i dont know how it is technologically possible to get any better of an image then what i am seeing right now. 1920x1200 resolution is what it is, unless you're suggesting that each pixel on my screen is blurring into the pixels beside it...which isn't happening
 
because ive never used a pc with dvi connection yet so maybe i dont know what im missing ;)
 
McRackin said:
i can see every individual pixel on 1920x1200 and they are not blurred at all. its perfectly sharp. i know we have a tendency to say "digital > analog" but i dont know how it is technologically possible to get any better of an image then what i am seeing right now. 1920x1200 resolution is what it is, unless you're suggesting that each pixel on my screen is blurring into the pixels beside it...which isn't happening
Click to expand...

It's impossible to address each and every pixel with a VGA signal. DVI uses a clock signal to apply a binary value to each pixel on the screen. VGA has no such clock and the panel has to rely on periodic horizontal and vertical syncing to "guess" which pixel is being addressed. Being able to see each pixel on a panel where pixels are discrete object doesn't mean that the value of the previous pixel didn't bleed over to the next one.
 
ryan_975 said:
It's impossible to address each and every pixel with a VGA signal. DVI uses a clock signal to apply a binary value to each pixel on the screen. VGA has no such clock and the panel has to rely on periodic horizontal and vertical syncing to "guess" which pixel is being addressed. Being able to see each pixel on a panel where pixels are discrete object doesn't mean that the value of the previous pixel didn't bleed over to the next one.
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
As already said, VGA can look as good as DVI/HDMI.
If you are happy with VGA, theres little point in changing unless forced to by HDCP or you need other digital features (ie pixel mapping/scaling).
Note that ANYDVD HD can be used to remove the need for HDCP compliance on a pc.
 
And some panels are not very good at guessing...

(It can vary from a subtle difference to looking blurry...)
 
You'll get a bit more smearing with VGA. Generally text is the most seriously affected. Shitty VGA cables will give you a blurry picture, as will shitty electronics in the monitor. If you have a good cable & the electronics are decent the VGA picture should be acceptable. Personally I'd just stick with your current setup unless the VGA quality is pissing you off, giving you headaches, making your eyes bleed, etc. DVI is better, but VGA can be ok. If it is annoying you I'd start by seeing if DVI is better. If it's giving you headaches I'd start by adjusting the screen brightness. LCDs can be painfully bright. If that doesn't work have a look at the cable. If you've got one of those skinny POS cables like the one that came with my LCD, change it out. I'm using a 3rd party cable that's a solid 1/4" thick. (my laptop won't support 1920x1200 over DVI. Grrr...)
 
well the reason why i dont switch to dvi to dvi is because it will force me to keep switching the dvi plug from my PS3 to my PC whenever I feel like using the other system. It'll probably take a toll on the teeth of the cable when I switch between the two several times a day over a few years.

My video card though is an HD4850 and there are two DVI inputs. Is there any way to run my PS3 signal to the video card, and my video card sends both ps3/pc signals to my monitor?
 
McRackin said:
well the reason why i dont switch to dvi to dvi is because it will force me to keep switching the dvi plug from my PS3 to my PC whenever I feel like using the other system. It'll probably take a toll on the teeth of the cable when I switch between the two several times a day over a few years.

My video card though is an HD4850 and there are two DVI inputs. Is there any way to run my PS3 signal to the video card, and my video card sends both ps3/pc signals to my monitor?
Click to expand...

Not exactly. You could get a DVI switch. That'll let you keep everything plugged in, and only have to press a button to swtich inputs.
 
In my experience, only cheap monitors have had bad VGA inputs. On a *good* monitor theres no visible difference between DVI and VGA.

Why not try DVI to see how it looks?
 
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