Analog vs Digital quality.

[kwest2]

I was about to purchase an LCD monitor but just was informed that it doesnt have DVI. I'm going to be using a ATI 9800np. Since it doesnt support DVI, will there be a noticeable difference in image quality compared to a DVI LCD monitor?

 

[erick]

I don't know how much image quailty might be different. I know that digital has a higher bandwidth, so you can display higher resolutions. My analog output is limited to 1280x1024 where as digital output is not.

 

[EarthwormJim]

DVI does look better, but if you are able to configure the monitor right it won't be such a big deal. I doubt you'd notice the difference unless you had a DVI version of your monitor side by side to your monitor.

 

[mikeford]

LCD without DVI is a waste of money. Sooner or later you will regret it.

 

[kwest2]

Originally posted by: mikeford
LCD without DVI is a waste of money. Sooner or later you will regret it.

Honestly that tells me next to nothing. Care to elaborate?

Others: Thanks for your responses. The LCD I ordered goes up to 1280x1024 as well. Seems like about the optimal resolution. Not too big, not too small.

 

[Elcs]

If I remember correctly (which im having trouble doing, University leaves me braindead), Anandtechs LCD FAQ should help a lot here. They explained some diferences between DVI and the other. Detailed cable quality and the like.

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: erick
I don't know how much image quailty might be different. I know that digital has a higher bandwidth, so you can display higher resolutions. My analog output is limited to 1280x1024 where as digital output is not.

Actually, the majority of DVI connections are limited to 1280x1024. Analogue doesnt have a limit, or a noticeable one.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

DVI >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> analog.

Thread over.

- M4H

 

[IQJUMPuw]

Digital does look better than analog, but the difference is very minimal. You won't be able to notice it unless you have the same monitor connected side by side. (One digital and one analog.) However, LCD's with DVI-i usually cost around $100 more. Do I think having a DVI-i is worth an extra $100? Of course not. However, with better video cards coming out during Christmas, I think having a DVI-i really helps out. Remember, video card plays a big role on the image quality of your LCD monitor especially bigger ones.

 

[kwest2]

Well I managed to get a 17" LCD w/ analog for ~300 shipped. The dell 171FPb. I'm really torn with what to do right now. I don't see any other decent deals on LCDs for me to get one, and if I decide to get a placeholder monitor, its going to cost around ~100 for a cheap run of the mill CRT. I noticed the anandtech thing earlier, and while they SAID DVI was much better than analog, they really didn't say WHY. They suggest some interference occurs in analog connections which could lead to some messed up images, but tahts about it. Still really torn right now. Again, thanks all for the feedback.

 

[DarkKnight]

the only advantage I noiticed with DVI was that at non native resolutions, the DVI image was much sharper than analog, but at the native resolution, DVI and analog both look great.

 

[EarthwormJim]

With DVI you don't get any ghosting (double image, I don't mean the trailing effect from low response time) or any interference.

 

[WobbleWobble]

If you've never seen a digital image, you'd be satisified with analog.

But if you compare them side-by-side, you'd notice a worthwhile difference.

 

[kwest2]

Great info yall. Thanks!

 

[mikeford]

Think of it this way, DVI talks to each of the pixels on the LCD, it knows them and always turns the pixel on and off correctly. Analog doesn't have a clue, and just sort of paints its self with all sorts of timing errors onto the pixels.

 

[kwest2]

A bit off topic, but I didn't want to make a new thread.

Is there a noticeable difference from 350:1 contrast ratio to 400:1? or from 400:1 to 600:1?

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: kwest2
A bit off topic, but I didn't want to make a new thread.

Is there a noticeable difference from 350:1 contrast ratio to 400:1? or from 400:1 to 600:1?

If you're comparing different manufacturers, these numbers are kind of useless. Some overrate and some underrate. If you can, just check out your local electronics store chain and look at the demo models. You'll have a good idea of how bright the displays look that way.

As for your question, I can't answer it. I've never worked with a 350:1 and a 400:1 from the same manufacturer.

 

[drewshin]

i noticed a big difference when displaying on a projector screen. my friend has a dell 3200mp with dvi and i have an infocus x1 connecting with vga, and the text on his screen is amazingly clear.