Analog or Digital?

[Koudelka]

Hi all

I just have 2 questions. I've tried looking on the web for informational sites so i wouldnt have to ask this here, but no real luck on finding what i need.

1.) I have a set of Logitech Z-680 5.1 speakers for my computer, and they're set up through direct input (3 small cables). Is there better sound quality for me to get a coaxial or analog digital hookup? I dont understand the difference there other than hooking these speakers up to a DVD player or other such equipment.

2.) Is there a quality difference between VGA and DVI-D hookups for lcd monitors for gaming? I dont know the difference between the two. I want to set up a dual display, would it matter if i used a dvi-d to vga adapter for the 2nd monitor? ex. would the quality be hindered on the 2nd monitor? Also, is it possible to hook up 3 monitors to a single pc?


Thanks in advance for any possible info or sites that are provided!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

For question #1 I'd say it would depend on what you're using to output sound... integrated? soundcard?

If you have a nice soundcard, stick with the analog connections.

I wrote this in regard to a z-5500 question but the same reasoning would apply for this case.

For #2... DVI-D is going to get you a better signal in the end. It's not going to be mind blowing from what I've read, but if you have an option between the two, use DVI. So... if you can hook up the second monitor with the DVI and not use an adapter, do it.

You can hook up a ton of monitors to a single PC if you want. You just need a lot of videocards. There are videocards that support 3 monitors all by themselves, but most people who want more than two will get a more standard card that supports 2 monitors and then get PCI videocards for additional displays that aren't going to be doing any 3d work.

 

[Koudelka]

Thanks a lot i couldnt have asked for a better explanation I appreciate it.

For the sound card though i'm using a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum.

I do have a question though. Is there any point to using a dvi-d to vga adapter, when you have a vga hookup to the monitor already? Or is it just for monitors that for some reason dont have a vga hook up?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Koudelka
Thanks a lot i couldnt have asked for a better explanation I appreciate it.

For the sound card though i'm using a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum.

I do have a question though. Is there any point to using a dvi-d to vga adapter, when you have a vga hookup to the monitor already? Or is it just for monitors that for some reason dont have a vga hook up?

I'm not sure I understand this new adapter question...

For one thing, there is no easy way to change DVI-D to VGA. The adapters that come with cards work well because the signal output from the videocard is DVI-I which includes the DVI-D signal as well as the analog signals that VGA needs.

Here's a little info on the types of cables.

I know that's just nitpicking, but I thought I'd mention it. The fact that the DVI-I signal has the VGA signal embedded in it is what allows the adapters to get a very clean VGA signal out of a DVI output on a videocard. The quality between a VGA out and a DVI to VGA adapted signal should be indistinguishable due to this.

The point of the adapter on cards that already have a VGA output is in case you want to hook up two monitors that don't have DVI.

I don't understand what you're asking with the last sentence... how would adapting DVI to VGA help you if they don't have a VGA input?

 

[Koudelka]

There's an adapter that comes with a lot of cards i've noticed that changes input from dvi-d to vga, i just didnt know why you would need to use that.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Koudelka
There's an adapter that comes with a lot of cards i've noticed that changes input from dvi-d to vga, i just didnt know why you would need to use that.

It changes DVI-I to VGA as I've mentioned and it's used if you have two displays that have VGA inputs (Like CRTs or a lot of LCDs).

"Or is it just for monitors that for some reason dont have a vga hook up?" doesn't make any sense because if they don't have a VGA hookup, why would you adapt the DVI-I to VGA?

 

[Koudelka]

Hah, sorry for the confusion. I was only telling why i asked that. I wasnt sure if the dvi-d to vga was there for dual display.

The sentence though was asking if you wanted to hook up your secondary monitor, while the 1st one is using the dvi input slot. And, the 2ndary monitor didnt have a vga output in it. I asked before i knew it was for dual display.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Koudelka
Hah, sorry for the confusion. I was only telling why i asked that. I wasnt sure if the dvi-d to vga was there for dual display.

The sentence though was asking if you wanted to hook up your secondary monitor, while the 1st one is using the dvi input slot. And, the 2ndary monitor didnt have a vga output in it. I asked before i knew it was for dual display.

Just fyi in case you wanted to do something like this, you should get a dual DVI card. The adapter can only change DVI-I (again, not DVI-D) to VGA. It can't take VGA and turn it back into DVI.