Dual Monitors and DVI

[Savizzaviz]

So I'm looking at doing a dual monitor setup on my computer which has a Chaintech GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB with a VGA and a DVI (and an s-video). My current 17" LCD is a VGA. I'm not to familiar with what DVI is, as I haven't really seen any such monitors, but I'd like to take advantage of the second monitor output that I have. I know I can get a CRT monitor easily, which is what I'd probably like to do, but I don't know how I would make the work with the DVI. I've found converters which go from DVI monitors to VGA video cards but not the way I need it.

Also, if that doesn't work, would I be able to get a second video card (PCI) and have that work the same way? I've heard that that might not work.

 

[Peter]

If the DVI port on the card is DVI-I, then there's an analog VGA signal on it too. Using a DVI-VGA adapter plug, you can then connect any analog VGA display unit.

 

[Savizzaviz]

Cool, thanks. I'll aquire one of these adapters and check it out.

By they way, what exactly is the difference between the DVI and VGA? I haven't seen a single DVI monitor before and all the ones advertised online all seem to be very expensive. I assume that they are somehow much better, but what makes them so great?

 

[tallman45]

Just like with data communications Digital signals are much faster and more accurate that analog signals. VGA is analog and DVI is digital. I have only seen DVI connectors on LCD's. The prices are coming down on these, Newegg has a couple of 17" Sony DVI LCD for around $450