digital vs analog video

[vansouza]

I got a Mitsubishi 18inch flat screen for Xmas and my video support digalt video as well... question what are the differences of each and pros and cons... thanks...

 

[Peter]

Well if your graphics card has DVI-out and your display has DVI-in, then you get best picture quality by using it. However, consumer class DVI will limit you to 1280x1024 or maybe 1400x1050 on CRT monitors.

 

[vansouza]

Hello and thanks for responding. I run at 12x10 now so that resolution is not an issue. So, digital is superior to analog? This thing is so perfect now I can not imagine it being any better; but I was thinking of getting the digital cable just because it could. Thanks again, and if you have any specifics I would appreciate them... Van

 

[Peter]

Well, you keep the original digital display data across the cable, thus shortening the analog signal path.

 

[jarsoffart]

Why do they use 12xx X 10xx. Doesn't that stretch the image a bit? A perfect 4:3 would be the 12xx X 9xx.

 

[sirsleepsalot]

I use 12X9 on mine...
but from what I hear, some people's display is not distorted at 12x10 (I don't know how it's possible, but that's what they say).

I know for a fact, that on mine, it is...

My theory is that they're only checking with the background in windows which gets stretched out to fill the screen, regardless of resolution.

 

[Peter]

1280x1024 is perfectly fine on flat panel displays, since these are made to be 5:4 with square pixels. CRT monitors are 4:3, so 1280x960 or the emerging 1400x1050 are your friend.

 

[jarsoffart]

Wowzers. How peculiar. Aren't there 1024 x 768 native resolution LCD monitors though?

 

[Peter]

Yes sure, those 15" jobbies are 1024x768.

I'm soooo used to having square pixels, I just can't stand 1280x1024 on a CRT. Glad that XFree on Linux lets you define your own resolutions as you please ... in Windows you're at the mercy of whoever wrote the display driver.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Peter
Yes sure, those 15" jobbies are 1024x768.

I'm soooo used to having square pixels, I just can't stand 1280x1024 on a CRT. Glad that XFree on Linux lets you define your own resolutions as you please ... in Windows you're at the mercy of whoever wrote the display driver.

Or you can use the shareware Powerstrip to hack stuff to get in custom resolutions, but I don't like the idea of having to pay money to use 1400x1050. :disgust:

Fortunately for us the XFree86 people have provided the wonderful ModeLines. 😀