DSUB vs DVI

[Aikouka]

This sounds kind of like an obvious title, but it's not as simple as the topic may suggest.

I have two Samsung SyncMaster 205bw LCD monitors (20" WSXGA+) and I use them on my BFG GeForce 6800GT OC. I originally bought this card when my monitor only used a DSUB, so I got the one with a DSUB and a DVI connector.

So, now with my two LCDs, one is on a DVI connector using the digital connection and one is on an analog connection. But I can notice a color difference in the DSUB-connected LCD.. the screen seems noticeably darker than the other monitor. Is this a difference with the connection? I checked the settings on the monitor and the settings are identical (except the connecting cable obviously )

 

[Lonyo]

You could try hooking them both up via DSUB (I assume you have a DVI -> VGA adapter) and see what happens.

 

[BassBomb]

Too bad the BFG 6800GT didnt come with dual dvi like its younger brother 6600GT

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
You could try hooking them both up via DSUB (I assume you have a DVI -> VGA adapter) and see what happens.

I thought about that, but it sounded like a lot of work and disconnecting and telling Windows how to set things up... So I thought I'd ask to see if anyone knows of a definitive answer.

Oh and BassBomb, they did make dual-DVI cards:

http://www.bfgtech.com/images/card_shots/6800GT_PCI-E_cardshot.jpg

and

http://www.bfgtech.com/6800GT_PCIX.html

I remember seeing them for sale when I bought mine, they were also about $20-30 more .

 

[BassBomb]

the older revisions came with Dvi + VGA

 

[Rockhound1]

The difference in image quality is the result of your using the digital (DVI) connection for one monitor and the analog (DSub) connection for the other monitor.

Probably the only way to get the same image quality on both monitors is to use the analog connections in the manner suggested by Lonyo or you could go out and buy a graphics card with dual DVI outputs.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Rockhound1
The difference in image quality is the result of your using the digital (DVI) connection for one monitor and the analog (DSub) connection for the other monitor.

Probably the only way to get the same image quality on both monitors is to use the analog connections in the manner suggested by Lonyo or you could go out and buy a graphics card with dual DVI outputs.

That's what I suspected, but I wasn't entirely sure since I'm not much of a "videophile." But there's one other thing that I noticed that I'm not sure comes from me using a VGA cable...

When looking at the monitor from an awkward angle, my DVI-connected LCD looks fine. It's a bit darker, but that's expected as I'm out of the natural viewing angle. Now, my DSUB-connected LCD looks far from fine. The monitor gains an awkward pink hue if you look at it at an angle.

I think I may have to try switching the cables to see what happens :/.

 

[Rockhound1]

So tell us what the results were when you switched the cables on the monitors. I suspect you will find the difference in image quality is due to the digital vs analog connections, but I could be wrong.

 

[Aikouka]

I have to wait until I get home to test this out, but I'll post the results when I can.

Worst comes to worst, I'll hold out until G80, which I planned on upgrading my aging 6800GT to, to get a dual-DVI board.

 

[Aikouka]

Okay, I ran some tests on my LCDs.

Test 1: LCD 1 switched to Analog (DSUB)
Result 1: LCD 1 produced the same pink hue at off-angles that LCD 2 produced while on the DSUB connector.

Test 2: LCD 1 switched to Analog (DSUB) with better quality VGA cable.
Result 2: LCD 1 produced the same pink hue at off-angles that LCD 2 produced while on the DSUB connector.

I didn't worry about testing LCD 2 as both LCDs are the same model, so as long as LCD 1 exhibits the same symptoms, which it did. The reason I ran Test 2 is because I found the Samsung cable to be quite thin and (in my opinion) low quality. So, I used a VGA cable from one of my old ACER LCDs that was a much higher grade. I didn't really expect a change and I didn't get one.

So it looks like these monitors aren't meant for VGA, although they have a connector anyway. Looks like another reason to get that new video card .

 

[Rockhound1]

Sorry about that. But when you get a new video card with two DVI outputs, it will be sweet with your setup.