DVI worth it?

[AzzMan]

I'm deciding between 2 lcd monitors and its come down to the samsung 930b and the 915n, the main difference being the 930b has dvi while theo ther doesnt. But the 915n is only 330, and comes with a 40$ rebate, so ends up being only about 290. the other however will cost about 375. So is the dvi option worth the extra 80$ i would end up paying? Not to mention I would have to wait for the 915 to ship, then wait a few more weeks for my rebate. Or should I just go ahead and get the 930b? Any input is appreciated

 

[AzzMan]

Anyone? Is dvi really that much of an improvement over analog?

 

[Asus]

Personally I wouldn't buy an LCD without a DVI unless it was cheap and I didn't care about quality. All the LCDs connected with VGA at the store I work at look more washed out compared to the ones with DVI mainly because they are not as clear.

Your PC thinks in digital and with a normal CRT and VGA your video card converts it Analog. With an LCD and VGA your video card converts it to analog but then the LCD convers it back to digital and you loose more detail with more conversions. Plus analog cables can get feedback with all the cables behind your desk and interfer with the picture just like on CRTs. DVI is all digital from PC to LCD so no conversion and that feedback on the line won't happen.

Although you should see an LCD in person before you buy. And maybe your opinion of the quality with VGA on LCDs may differ.

 

[hungryduck]

Hmmmmmm, you know, I've never really thought about that.
Read this:
http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/4520-3174_7-5136369.html?part=ecoustics-cnet

 

[AzzMan]

Wait, so would a dvi-analog converter pretty much give it the quality of a digital connection? My x800xl came with a converter, and if I can get an analog monitor and get pretty close performance, I'll just do that instead

 

[Asus]

Using a VGA connector on the card vs DVI with VGA adapter is no different. Still conversion with loss.

 

[Adabiviak]

The DVI port (some of them - those details later) carry both analog and digital signals in separate conductors. When you plug in the adapter, it just connects the analog from the DVI to the sub-D of the VGA, and the digital signals are ignored. The larger connections on the side (four holes surrounding a flat line or a cross) carry the analog signals. Some DVI connectors don't have these, and are pure digital only.

I've never actually seen interference in an analog VGA line myself and the differences between cable inputs are typically smaller than quality differences between monitors. If your card has a DVI out, I'd use it.

 

[hungryduck]

when it comes down to it, you can't really tell the difference.

 

[Revisedsoul]

ive got a vx724 and i loose alot of the colors when plugged into vga and even moreso of the greys and black. and alot of brightness also.

 

[AzzMan]

Well I just got the 17inch 730B, with the dvi input. Bastards didnt include a dvi cable in there though . Figured there's not much of a difference between the 17 and 19in when I compared them side by side, plus I could use the extra 100 bux