BNC or DB15 for Monitor connection

LoverBoyJ

Senior member
Mar 22, 2001
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Pls help me make decision, I just got the old Viewsonic PT813 monitor but doesn't have the connector. On the back is a DB15 or a BNC input. Can someone tell me the differences (aside from the cable price) between the two connectors and which one should I use. The monitor will be used for everyday computer use and specially GAMES!!. :)

 

Utterman

Platinum Member
Apr 17, 2001
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It is more personal preference as to which one to choose. Most people can't tell the difference between BNC and the DB15 connection. If you were to go BNC, you should get the higest quality BNC cables you can afford.
 

rbV5

Lifer
Dec 10, 2000
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Basically the BNC cables make a better electrical connection between the card and monitor, but unless you're running very high resolutions or using an extra long cable, you likely won't see any difference at all (and even then only with a high quality cable). I use BNC connectors on my monitor, but see no difference using the vga cable at 1600X1200 85Hz.
Its very handy for working on another rig however, I just plug the other rig into the VGA connector and switch between them by pressing the button on the front.

My Opinion: use whichever cable you already have, they will perform about the same.
 

LoverBoyJ

Senior member
Mar 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: rbV5
Basically the BNC cables make a better electrical connection between the card and monitor, but unless you're running very high resolutions or using an extra long cable, you likely won't see any difference at all (and even then only with a high quality cable). I use BNC connectors on my monitor, but see no difference using the vga cable at 1600X1200 85Hz.
Its very handy for working on another rig however, I just plug the other rig into the VGA connector and switch between them by pressing the button on the front.

My Opinion: use whichever cable you already have, they will perform about the same.


thanks for the opinion, I might use DB15 in that case much cheaper and buy a BNC when I have another system to use it with and the funds to buy one.

cheerio!! :)
 

Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
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The one thing often overlooked with BNC connections is that you lose the monitor plug&play there. So you better have your monitor's datasheet at hand to adjust manually, or in Windows, the manufacturer's .INF file for manual model selection.

regards, Peter
 

rbV5

Lifer
Dec 10, 2000
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Peter brings up a great point. When I first got my Mitsu monitor, I hooked it up to my Radeon with BNC cables and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get over 60Hz at any resolution. I had to simply manually enter the Max refresh rate/ resolution in the Monitor Display tab of the advanced display properties, but it was a real head scratcher.