Is DVI really that much better than VGA

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Sbud

Member
Apr 18, 2001
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Am in the process of setting up a dual LCD system. Will I really get that much out of ensuring that I have two DVI connections over 1 DVI and 1 VGA?

This computer is used mainly for 2d applications with the typical e-mail and surfing. I am also limited to using a PCI card.

Thanks in advance for your input
 
n7

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
Really, in any monitor below 19-20", it's not.

Some people can see the difference, but most can't.

DVI primary shines when using resolutions such as 1600x1200 +, hence why the high end monitors don't even come with VGA inputs anymore.

As a personal example, i have an XGA projector (1024x768). I've heard a lot of people say that on my projector, the DVI looks better than the VGA does, but honestly, i cannot tell the difference myself.

Good luck with the duallies :)
 
M

machintos

Golden Member
Mar 1, 2003
1,652
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I used to have dual 19" setup. I couldn't really tell the difference between the dvi and the vga.
But I didn't use maximum brightness, so that may have been the case.
 
A

Auric

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
9,591
2
71
Even if the IQ differance was not noticeable to you, saving having to adjust DVI is a great advantage and additionally DVI alone allows for driver scaling options -most notably preventing scaling where you don't want it but the panel itself offers no such option.
 
P

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
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DVI enables a bunch of auto features that DSUB connections didn't give me. It auto adjusts color, size...yadada
 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
For a big screen with a high res, I would say its very importent, if your talking about a 17 inch LCD, I dont think it would matter as much.,
 
jamesbond007

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
5,280
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Yes, I can notice a difference at any resolution. There is such a significant difference between analog and digital.

I've been using DVI for 2.5 or 3 years now and would never look back.
 
C

crapito

Golden Member
Oct 20, 1999
1,225
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81
i have an 18" Dell LCD and i can tell the difference between DVI (better) and analog VGA (worse) inputs when running WinXP @ 1280x1024 (the native LCD resolution). thus... yeah, it makes a difference. therefore, i'd recommend getting a cheap PCI video card with DVI for the second monitor.
 
N

Nanobaud

Member
Dec 9, 2004
144
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The better way to ask the question is:

Can VGA be as good as DVI at (xxx) resolution?

The answer is generally: yes, it can, but you may have to put some effort (and money) into it.

DVI is an inexpensive, easy-to-use way to get a setup that is either good quality, or just won't work right at all. (I know, there are exceptions, but generally it is true). If you can do it, and don't want to make your life more difficult just for the challenge of it, go with the DVI.

VGA (at higher resolutions and refresh rates) is a complex, multi-signal analog RF system. If you just slap-in a $5 VGA cable and run 1600x1200@75Hz, you may well get poor image quality. I have a professional-grade CRT (whatever that means, it has better-than-average analog electronics) and there is a whole world of difference running into the D-Sub input with a generic cable vs. running into the BNC inputs with a multi-coax cable.

If you must use analog and are having a problem with image quality, first see if you can find a good VGA cable to borrow (maybe a CAD or Graphics Workstation at your work) and see if that makes it better. Keep in mind though, there is not a large market for 'good' VGA cables, particularly with D-Sub at both ends. It may cost more than upgrading to dual-dvi graphics card.

nBd
 
D

darkswordsman17

Lifer
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,850
146
Bleh, I really don't like VGA, at least on LCDs. Can't wait for my first 6800GT to get to me tomorrow, and then my second one a bit later in the week (finally will be getting it back from BFG, who had better send me the correct one this time or I think I'm gonna stop recommending BFG, or at least stop praising their great support, which has caused me to be without a card for about 3 weeks).
 
K

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
1
0
I'm gonna disagree with the crowd here...I recently bought a Dell 2005FPW and compared it side by side with another 2005FPW using the cables shipped with the monitor and an ATI X800. One on DVI, one on VGA. I couldn't tell a difference at all. I played videos, I tossed up colored backgrounds in paint, I looked at pictures, nothing.

As mentioned however, DVI is an easy way to remove the video cable from the quality equation. But given the general premium that dual-DVI cards command, I don't really think it's worth it.
 
J

jiffylube1024

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
7,430
0
71
Originally posted by: KingNothing
I'm gonna disagree with the crowd here...I recently bought a Dell 2005FPW and compared it side by side with another 2005FPW using the cables shipped with the monitor and an ATI X800. One on DVI, one on VGA. I couldn't tell a difference at all. I played videos, I tossed up colored backgrounds in paint, I looked at pictures, nothing.

As mentioned however, DVI is an easy way to remove the video cable from the quality equation. But given the general premium that dual-DVI cards command, I don't really think it's worth it.
Click to expand...


Well I've got a DVI and a VGA panel side by side (both are 17" and support both DVI and VGA) and the VGA displays text crisper. Also, the VGA has faintly noticeable scan-line like lines going up the screen you can see on dark backgrounds (in part due to the shoddy VGA cable I have), while the DVI is a rock solid image.
 
K

KingNothing

Diamond Member
Apr 6, 2002
7,141
1
0
Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
Originally posted by: KingNothing
I'm gonna disagree with the crowd here...I recently bought a Dell 2005FPW and compared it side by side with another 2005FPW using the cables shipped with the monitor and an ATI X800. One on DVI, one on VGA. I couldn't tell a difference at all. I played videos, I tossed up colored backgrounds in paint, I looked at pictures, nothing.

As mentioned however, DVI is an easy way to remove the video cable from the quality equation. But given the general premium that dual-DVI cards command, I don't really think it's worth it.
Click to expand...


Well I've got a DVI and a VGA panel side by side (both are 17" and support both DVI and VGA) and the VGA displays text crisper. Also, the VGA has faintly noticeable scan-line like lines going up the screen you can see on dark backgrounds (in part due to the shoddy VGA cable I have), while the DVI is a rock solid image.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. In my case I had the opportunity to try out my LCD on friend's machine to determine that in my situation, DVI didn't make a difference.

Dual-DVI video cards

OP, given that you're limited to PCI, that's really going to limit your video card choices, and they'll most likely be expensive. I'd at least try to borrow a DVI/VGA card from someone and see if you can tell the difference.
 
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