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VGA or DVI to HDMI, is there much difference?

I

Indolent

Platinum Member
Is there a visable difference between using a vga cable or a dvi to hdmi cable? Which is prefered?

This is for a 42 inch LCD.


update:

So I got the dvi to hdmi cable. I can play video files form my computer just fine. But, when I try and play a dvd I got from blockbuster, it only plays in black and white. Then, after I try the dvd, all video files play in black and white on the tv until I restart my computer.

Any idea what could cause this?

edit* I guess a different dvd plays in color. It was just the Over the Hedge dvd that played in black in white over hdmi. Would that be some type of copy protection on that dvd?

I forgot to mention, it played fine over the vga connection.
 
I saw a huge improvement in going from VGA to DVI on my old 32" Olevia LCD I had. Night and day difference. If that would be true with other tvs I dont know. just know it was with that one.
 
Now the big question. I have a HTPC here I am building for my dad to use on his new 56" TV. It has a VGA input. He is not going to be using this PC for anything other than listening to music and viewing pictures as he has a PVR built into his satellite receiver. Is it worth switching to a DVI to HDMI setup on this setup? If it is, how can I manage that with only two HDMI inputs on the TV? The satellite receiver needs one and so does the new DVD player. Is there some kind of a HDMI wye setup or switch available?
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Now the big question. I have a HTPC here I am building for my dad to use on his new 56" TV. It has a VGA input. He is not going to be using this PC for anything other than listening to music and viewing pictures as he has a PVR built into his satellite receiver. Is it worth switching to a DVI to HDMI setup on this setup? If it is, how can I manage that with only two HDMI inputs on the TV? The satellite receiver needs one and so does the new DVD player. Is there some kind of a HDMI wye setup or switch available?
Click to expand...

VGA will be fine for Windows Media Center IMO.

 
Originally posted by: MisterJackson
I've never seen a PC w/ an HDMI output, is this something new? Or am I just that ignorant?
Click to expand...

DVI to HDMI adapter or cable 😉

I had a upconverting sony dvd player and my pc hooked up to my HD tv via HDMI. I was running the free VLC video software in my pc. It spanked the sony as far as picture quality, as much so I sold the sony. Have you dad uses the HTPC to run his dvds as well, it will upconvert them to what ever res he wants and look kick butt 😉

OH and if not he can always get a cheap HDMI switch for around $25 from monoprice.com
 
Thanks. I will experiment. This is my second HTPC but neither has been sophisticated. The first one I built is only used for playing DIVX movies and DVDs at the lakehouse. This one is only for pics and music. Do you have to run special DVD software to get it to upconvert for HDTV or do I just use the latest version of PowerDVD?
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Thanks. I will experiment. This is my second HTPC but neither has been sophisticated. The first one I built is only used for playing DIVX movies and DVDs at the lakehouse. This one is only for pics and music. Do you have to run special DVD software to get it to upconvert for HDTV or do I just use the latest version of PowerDVD?
Click to expand...

This is all you will need for video and music, and it will network as well. Being its free is a huge plus.

As for upconverting just set your video card to what ever rez and run a dvd.
 
Thanks again. Is there any reason I could not use ZoomPlayer as it is my media player of choice when using a PC hooked to a TV? You have to remember that this HTPC is for my parents who are in their late 60s and ease of use is a MUST. Can I simply have WMP play the DVDs?
 
I am suggesting to you what I have used. I dont know about the others so I cannot make a comment on them. VLC is easy to use. Pop in a dvd and hit play. Pop in your music and hit play. Pretty much your just using the tv as an over sized monitor so you can use, I would guess, what ever you wanted.
 
does VGA to Component look better than vga to vga? (will be using a laptop for now until i build a htpc next year)
 
VGA is a PITA to me, I run a vga cable form my MCE laptop to my 23" LCD HDTV and it's always got squiggly lines or forgets what resolution I set it to or something strange like that. I never had those issues when I had my desktop hooked up to it via DVI.
 
So I got the dvi to hdmi cable. I can play video files form my computer just fine. But, when I try and play a dvd I got from blockbuster, it only plays in black and white. Then, after I try the dvd, all video files play in black and white on the tv until I restart my computer.

Any idea what could cause this?
 
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