HDMI vs DVI connection

[Necrosaro420]

Heya, my video card (GTX 280) only has the DVI connections, though im using a DVI to HDMI adapter to run a display to my tv (just for movies), and I use the DVI connection to my monitor. I just looked at the back of my monitor and noticed it also has a HDMI cable connector on the back. Since my video card only has DVI connectors, if I used a DVI to HDMI connector and hooked my monitor up using a HDMI cable, would it make the display any better instead of using DVI? Thanks

 

[pmv]

Heya, my video card (GTX 280) only has the DVI connections, though im using a DVI to HDMI adapter to run a display to my tv (just for movies), and I use the DVI connection to my monitor. I just looked at the back of my monitor and noticed it also has a HDMI cable connector on the back. Since my video card only has DVI connectors, if I used a DVI to HDMI connector and hooked my monitor up using a HDMI cable, would it make the display any better instead of using DVI? Thanks

Someone here might know better, but both theory and experience leads me to suggest it would be exactly the same.

(I mean, its just a different shaped plug, right? The connections are essentially the same, no?)

 

[zerocool84]

They're both digital so it'll be basically the same.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I have heard that some displays have increased input lag over HDMI, not sure if there's any truth to that or not.

 

[konakona]

I once heard HDMI is just another form of DVI + audio, could be wrong.

 

[NoQuarter]

HDMI and DVI both use the same TDMS signal, they're effectively the same connection just with a different shape connector, so doesn't matter which connection you use it's going to be the same quality. Main difference is HDMI can carry audio if you want to get it to your monitor without using extra cords.

It *may* be true that some displays have increased input lag over HDMI but that would only be due to post-processing which may be bypassed by default in DVI but most TV's now have a game mode to disable post processing and monitors shouldn't have a problem with that that I know of. It does seem like some monitors don't report their capabilities right when on HDMI though but it usually isn't an issue.

 

[Scali]

Another issue could be bandwidth.
There are two types of DVI: single-link and dual-link.
I believe that HDMI is only single-link.
Dual-link exists because it delivers twice the bandwidth. As a result, higher resolutions and higher refresh rates are possible (single-link is maxed out at about 1920x1200 at 60 Hz). So it might be possible that using a HDMI link limits your resolutions and refresh rates. If you want to use 2560x1600 resolutions, you may need DVI.

 

[mikek753]

just make sure your HDMI input has 1:1 pixel mapping mode or you can select this mode

some LCD TV have over HDMI input:
1. HDMI - not 1:1
2. HDCP - not 1:1
3. DVI or HDMI 1:1 - this will display 1:1
that might not apply to your monitor

 

[Dark Shroud]

Another issue could be bandwidth.
There are two types of DVI: single-link and dual-link.
I believe that HDMI is only single-link.
Dual-link exists because it delivers twice the bandwidth. As a result, higher resolutions and higher refresh rates are possible (single-link is maxed out at about 1920x1200 at 60 Hz). So it might be possible that using a HDMI link limits your resolutions and refresh rates. If you want to use 2560x1600 resolutions, you may need DVI.

Kind of like how HDMI has Class 1 & Class 2? Just make sure the HDMI is labled as class 2 or says "high speed" on the package.

Robert Heron of Cnet fame has shown that some monitors with connection/lag issues can work better with higher end cables from Bluejeans vs standard basic cables from places like Monoprice.

 

[Scali]

Kind of like how HDMI has Class 1 & Class 2? Just make sure the HDMI is labled as class 2 or says "high speed" on the package.

I don't think that applies with a DVI-to-HDMI connection. A DVI-to-HDMI adapter will not bundle two links to a single high-speed HDMI class 1 signal.