DVI vs VGA on 40 inch LCD

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ctark

Senior member
Sep 6, 2004
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Well i bought a new Samsung LN40A550. It runs at 1920x1080. I had a DVI to HDMI converter that plugs into the back of my card then hooked it up to my TV via HDMI. Problem is the text was slightly distorted and so were pictures. I tried everything to fix it inside of windows, and the tv options and got nothing. I hook it up via VGA and the problem doesnt appear. What i'm wondering is the DVI connection superior to the VGA connection in terms of color? I really wouldnt think so but I could be wrong and just wanted to check. Thanks
 
Chunkee

Chunkee

Lifer
Jul 28, 2002
10,391
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good question...problem with me is...my eyes suck and i have know idea other than broad terms..it looks like crap/great.... i am aweful at fine tuning anything.

jC
 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
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Originally posted by: ctark
Well i bought a new Samsung LN40A550. It runs at 1920x1080. I had a DVI to HDMI converter that plugs into the back of my card then hooked it up to my TV via HDMI. Problem is the text was slightly distorted and so were pictures. I tried everything to fix it inside of windows, and the tv options and got nothing. I hook it up via VGA and the problem doesnt appear. What i'm wondering is the DVI connection superior to the VGA connection in terms of color? I really wouldnt think so but I could be wrong and just wanted to check. Thanks
Click to expand...

The DVI should give you better colors, but at such a scale that the human eye can't make the difference, so you're not losing too much by using the VGA port ( at least that is what I've read somewhere).

I had a monitor with both VGA and DVI, a low quality one, and I couldn't make any difference between them. I don't know what happens on better quality LCDs.
 
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Dman877

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2004
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It's unfortunate that DVI connectors on tv's are disappearing. HDMI just doesn't work as easily because of the adapters and handshaking crap. With a DVI connector, it was just like plugging in a monitor.

As far as the difference between VGA and DVI, it probably won't be noticeable. It is a digital-to-analog conversion though. Does your TV have an auto adjust option for the VGA input?
 
BassBomb

BassBomb

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2005
8,390
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DVI > VGA
VGA soemtimes has imposed internal max resolution limit (which the DVI or HDMI wouldn't)

As far as it not looking right, did you make sure your tv was set to non zoom, non stretching view mode?

If you have a nVidia card, I would also try "resize desktop" because it may be distorted due to overscan issues which you might be able to resolve.

I currently run a 7900GS DVI ------> HDMI Sharp 52" D62U
 
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jkresh

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
2,436
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ctark, the issue with vga (and why dvi/hdmi/display port are superior) is that both the cmputer and the display are digital but vga is analog, so if you use vga then your gpu is converting a digital signal to analog passing it to the lcd which is then converting back to digital (while with dvi... there is no conversion). So vga quality tends to vary more based on the display then dvi (as with dvi its really just the panel quality, with vga the displays circuitry is much more important). On some displays vga or component will look as good as dvi to 99% of users, on others the difference is quite obvious.
 
Throckmorton

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
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IIRC, that monitor crops and expands DVI input. Yet with VGA it becomes 1:1. THere is a firmware update that makes it do 1:1 in DVI mode.
 
lopri

lopri

Elite Member
Jul 27, 2002
13,310
687
126
I'm not sure if you guys actually tred DVI connection from PC to a recent LCD TV? I don't exactly know what the problem is, but I could never get it right, be it DVI-to-DVI or DVI-to-HDMI. I think I've seen a lengthy workaround from AVS Forum. These LCD TV's come equipped with 'PC connector', which is nothing more than analog VGA.

I have tried a Sony and a Samsung, and neither gave me anything remotely usable screen with digital connection. Only analog connection was usable as a PC monitor. If anyone knows what's at play and how to workaround, please do share. I'd appreciate much!
 
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jkresh

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
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lopri, I have done dvi (pc) to a samsung 40" lcd (actualy 2 different models) and a bunch of projectors without much issue (nvidia and ati cards), sometimes it works fine on the first try other times you have to deal with overscan issues but usualy its not too bad. It definitely helps to have up to date graphics drivers (and vista seems to be better then xp for this).
 
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ctark

Senior member
Sep 6, 2004
726
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It shouldnt overscan. One of the HDMI ports is made for a PC, says so in the manual. Plus you can do Just scan and it lines up perfectly. Dont think that was my problem.
 
bigsnyder

bigsnyder

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2004
1,568
2
81
FYI, VGA input @ 1920x1080p on my Sony 55" SXRD rear projection looks great. Not saying it is better than HDMI, just that it works well for me.
 
M

Madinat

Junior Member
Apr 6, 2005
24
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i'm thinking of buying this model tv. anyone find any good deals on it? amazon looks like they have the best price right now but it's OOS.
 
Dream Operator

Dream Operator

Senior member
Jan 31, 2005
344
0
76
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Your only option is to upgrade your video card to a 9800GX2 which comes with an HDMI connection. :)
Click to expand...

Palit makes a 9600GT w/HDMI. That's what I'm running to my Panny plasma :)
 
lopri

lopri

Elite Member
Jul 27, 2002
13,310
687
126
Originally posted by: Dream Operator
Palit makes a 9600GT w/HDMI. That's what I'm running to my Panny plasma :)
Click to expand...
What is the resolution of your desktop? Is text clear on Windows desktop?
 
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ctark

Senior member
Sep 6, 2004
726
1
0
resolution is 1080, and no its not clear, looks a tad pixelated. I messed with the resizing desktop with no sucess. This kinda pisses me off, its the only thing i DONT like about this monitor
 
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ctark

Senior member
Sep 6, 2004
726
1
0
Another thing, its only in the windows enviroment that its doing this. Everything looks fine in call of duty 4, including the text. I have it hooked up both ways no so i suppose I can always switch during gaming mode. VGA sometimes is a little too dark
 
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