Analog vs. DVI for LCD (how much difference?)

[kyudrew]

I am planning to buy 17" LCD very soon and thinking three brands (five models) in mind.
NEC 1760V, Samsung 172B, NEC 1760NX, Samsung 172T, Dell 1702FP.

First two are analog and the other three are analog/DVI. How much I can notice the difference
between analog and DVI. According to review (anandtech, and Toms Hardware, ...), it really
depends on a particular LCD. Is it really true on these models above? Sometimes, the reviews
evaluated the integraty and vibration of colors are better at analog, but degree of ghosting (image)
is better at DVI.

Generally, I have to pay $50 -$70 more for getting DVI (except DELL).
I would appreciate if anyone who got one of the monitors above and experience the difference can
advise me. Also, which monitor would you go out of five? I heard that two samsungs are excellent
(highest contrast ratio 500:1, very sleek and attractive design), that two NECs are best for response time
(16ms, very good contrast 450:1, but little bulky design), and that a lot of users are satisfied with
Dell (but don't know how to compare to others). Thank you for your valuable input in advance.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: kyudrew
I am planning to buy 17" LCD very soon and thinking three brands (five models) in mind.
NEC 1760V, Samsung 172B, NEC 1760NX, Samsung 172T, Dell 1702FP.

First two are analog and the other three are analog/DVI. How much I can notice the difference
between analog and DVI. According to review (anandtech, and Toms Hardware, ...), it really
depends on a particular LCD. Is it really true on these models above? Sometimes, the reviews
evaluated the integraty and vibration of colors are better at analog, but degree of ghosting (image)
is better at DVI.

Generally, I have to pay $50 -$70 more for getting DVI (except DELL).
I would appreciate if anyone who got one of the monitors above and experience the difference can
advise me. Also, which monitor would you go out of five? I heard that two samsungs are excellent
(highest contrast ratio 500:1, very sleek and attractive design), that two NECs are best for response time
(16ms, very good contrast 450:1, but little bulky design), and that a lot of users are satisfied with
Dell (but don't know how to compare to others). Thank you for your valuable input in advance.

On the Samsung 172T (AnandTech's favourite LCD), there is a noticeable difference between the best VGA I've tried and any DVI.

VGA can be quite good, and I'd say about 85% as good as DVI. However, I've seem some absolutely terrible VGA coming from even recent (nVidia) video cards.

So basically, with DVI you're guaranteed excellent quality. With VGA, it can be very good, but with some cards it can be quite poor as well.

 

[jagr10]

Ya, DVI is supposed to be better so it might be worth the extra money.

 

[Looney]

Definitely DVI. I notice a difference on my LCD.

 

[Boogak]

On my 1800FP, it makes a world of difference on text. With analog, text is kinda "puffy" with the edges bleeding out. With DVI, text is crisp and sharp. It's very noticable to me.

 

[psy44]

Originally posted by: Boogak
On my 1800FP, it makes a world of difference on text. With analog, text is kinda "puffy" with the edges bleeding out. With DVI, text is crisp and sharp. It's very noticable to me.

hmmmm...The text bleeds out on my LCD monitor too via VGA...maybe I should get a DVI monitor........

 

[boyRacer]

My friend just bought a Dell 18 inch LCD... he was using the analog when i got there and it looked like crap... i switched it to DVI and ut looked a lot better... funny thing is... now image quality was just as good as it is on my Sony LCD... which is an old model with analog input only.

 

[lung]

I just received two 1800FPs today so one is on analog and the other on DVI. I haven't had time to really compare the two, but form the few minutes I had before coming into work, there wasn't a huge difference for me. Although I am running a 9700 Pro and I've heard that your video card can make quite a difference as far as the quality of the analog output...

 

[Deskstar]

I am running a pair of Dell 1800FPs one analog and one digital side by side, from a GF4 Ti4400 overclocked (of course). The digital is definitely better than analog. But, the analog is quite acceptable (maybe 85% of the digital quality). Still, I may opt for a dual digital card once the prices go down (MSI has a nice one, and Asus will also be releasing a fair one too)>

 

[azkiwi]

Analog is like looking through a dirty window and DVI through a clean one - you can still see all the same stuff, but you don't enjoy it the same.

 

[NeilPeart]

That's a clever and fitting analogy, Azkiwi. Yes, my Dell 1701FP looks slightly sharper through the DVI connection of my Visiontek Ti4400. However, my fiance's Samsung 152T looks nearly identical through DVI (digital still looks a bit sharper, but that may be a placebo effect), though she is running a Matrox G550. I say if you have DVI than go for it; most quality video products now include this nearly-requisite connection, so it?s a no-brainer.

 

[RalfHutter]

On my 1900FP (Samsung 191T) there is a definite improvement in image quality between the DVI and analog inputs. THe DVI is noticeably sharper. Text is much easier to read and the general image is easier on your eyes because it's sharper. I wouldn't get an LCD monitor without DVI. My 2¢.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: azkiwi
Analog is like looking through a dirty window and DVI through a clean one - you can still see all the same stuff, but you don't enjoy it the same.

More like the DVI is thru NO window and analogue VGA is thru a window, but, the quality depends on how good the window is and how clean it is. A very good one still looks good, but some aren't very good.

 

[lung]

I think that analog vs DVI also has alot to do with your video card. I see very very little difference between the two on my 9700 Pro. There is a slight difference, but nothing that really jumps out at me though.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Read this thread

 

[Kingofcomputer]

I'd say about 15%.
Has improvement, but not day and night difference.

 

[Idontcare]

I tried attaching my LCD to DVI by using the dongle/converter that came with my video vard and the graphics looked like crap.

Went back to analog-analog connection and things are now useable.

I figured the converter introduced too much signal reflection. Not sure if this is common.

 

[VBboy]

Huge difference with Dell 2000FP. Analog is terrible. Digital is extra crisp.

 

[Vegito]

exactly.. with my ti4600, i wish its a dual dvi.. the analog is a little blury and the dvi is nice.. espeically when u do dual screen.. u get annoyed