DVI vs. VGA

Viper007Bond · October 9th, 2008, 12:57 PM

All of the cheap LCDs only have VGA rather than DVI. How noticeable is the difference, especially for an uber noob like my youngest sister who probably couldn't notice regardless (which is basically answering my question, but still)?

BlitzR · October 9th, 2008, 01:03 PM

On a 22 inch screen, the difference can be noticable, Text could be a bit rough and blurred. On my friend's screen the with the vga input, it was a bit inconsistant. Around the edges the text would be fine, but near the middle of the screen the text would be fuzzy but readable. DVI will give a sharper image and text.

Blayde · October 9th, 2008, 01:04 PM

The biggest thing i noticed on VGAs was text seems to be blurrier than DVIs, which are noticeably sharper. But we have 2 LCDs side by side with DVI and VGA to one each and it doesn't look like something the average user would notice unless they really looked or spent time using both or one heavily.

Unless she does some heavy coding, or uses a lot of text for a really long period, it's not something to chase after if the person won't benefit.

matt2000 · October 9th, 2008, 01:11 PM

I have a VGA KVM here at work, and it has problems with lines across the screen when connected up to some machines. That wouldn't happen with DVI. DVI seems far superior.

fbc · October 9th, 2008, 10:09 PM

My five year old 17" Samsung LCD has both VGA & DVI - the DVI is much crisper than the VGA.

Viper007Bond · October 9th, 2008, 10:11 PM

Obviously DVI is better, I'm just wondering how much better. She's currently using VGA + a 19" CRT at 1280x1024.

Basically, trying to decide if spending the extra money and/or getting a smaller screen for DVI is worth it.

Thanks for the answers, guys. +rep for you all. images/smilies/smile.gif

73GMCSprint · October 9th, 2008, 10:28 PM

I'd say for the average user they'd never know any difference. If they've used a DVI setup for a while and then switched back to VGA they might notice though. Side by side there is a definite difference, though it's not huge, and shouldn't affect usability very much if at all.

Viper007Bond · October 9th, 2008, 10:33 PM

Just hooked my 24" LCD up via VGA (it has every connector under the sun). Holy shit does it look bad. Okay, so it's a big monitor and 1920x1200 which worsens the problem, but it's still a VERY noticeable difference. Seems DVI is a must. images/smilies/sad.gif

matt2000 · October 9th, 2008, 10:47 PM

I think it's worth it. You also don't get screen position problems with DVI. Most good monitors have both connectors anyway now, can't say I've ever seen one with just VGA myself. images/smilies/smile.gif

And thanks for the rep. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Viper007Bond · October 9th, 2008, 10:54 PM

Found a 20" with DVI for about the same price as the 21.6" I was looking at that only had VGA. images/smilies/happy.gif

Seasonone · October 9th, 2008, 10:57 PM

It's hard to see the difference, you have to actually look for it. If she is use to a CRT than I doubt she would notice that she's not getting that slightly better signal.

For me I would rather have the DVI because when I got my monitor it was only a few bucks more for a 22" acer with DVI. I would rather spend a little more now and have a good monitor for years. VGA is dying out, it would suck to be forced to get a crappier video card down the road because the one you want is DVI only. But again, that's me. If I were making a PC for my mom VGA would be more than enough because all she does is look at the internet.

What Monitors are you looking at? Newegg still has the acer 22" for like $170 with DVI

Vette Boss · October 9th, 2008, 10:59 PM

Good job on the find, Viper. DVI really is much better in terms of crispness, especially when you get into bigger screens. On my 20", I wouldn't have anything else.

matt2000 · October 9th, 2008, 11:04 PM

Slightly off topic, but what do mums actually look at when they go on the internet? It's a mystery. images/smilies/lol.gif

Viper007Bond · October 9th, 2008, 11:26 PM

20" Acer for $160 -> http://forums.finalgear.com/technolo...-3/#post805000

Continue actual monitor discussion there. images/smilies/smile.gif

73GMCSprint · October 10th, 2008, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Just hooked my 24" LCD up via VGA (it has every connector under the sun). Holy shit does it look bad. Okay, so it's a big monitor and 1920x1200 which worsens the problem, but it's still a VERY noticeable difference. Seems DVI is a must. images/smilies/sad.gif

I should have added in my post that the higher the resolution you're running the bigger the difference between DVI and VGA.

Viper007Bond · October 10th, 2008, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73GMCSprint

I should have added in my post that the higher the resolution you're running the bigger the difference between DVI and VGA.

Yeah, of course. I turned down the resolution to 1680 and then 1440 though and it was still just as bad (if not worse). Part of that of course was due to non-native resolution, but still...

cl191 · October 10th, 2008, 10:04 AM

If you run a LCD with non-native resolution, they are all gonna look bad, no matter it's DVI or VGA...

matt2000 · October 10th, 2008, 01:20 PM

I would have people shot for using monitors out of their native resolution. If you can't see it get some damn glasses!

Solberg · October 10th, 2008, 01:46 PM

DVI is much much better.

I could never go back to VGA now.

Even a noob can easily notice the difference.

Even if it's a bit more, go for DVI. You won't be sorry.

October 9th, 2008, 12:57 PM	#1
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	DVI vs. VGA All of the cheap LCDs only have VGA rather than DVI. How noticeable is the difference, especially for an uber noob like my youngest sister who probably couldn't notice regardless (which is basically answering my question, but still)? __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

October 9th, 2008, 01:03 PM	#2
BlitzR Joined: May 1st, 2006 Last Online: 12:38 AM Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,515 Rep Power: 18	On a 22 inch screen, the difference can be noticable, Text could be a bit rough and blurred. On my friend's screen the with the vga input, it was a bit inconsistant. Around the edges the text would be fine, but near the middle of the screen the text would be fuzzy but readable. DVI will give a sharper image and text. __________________ Last edited by BlitzR; October 9th, 2008 at 01:07 PM..

October 9th, 2008, 01:04 PM	#3
Blayde Joined: Dec 20th, 2004 Last Online: 04:30 AM Location: Bahrain Posts: 1,894 Car: '02 Nissan X-Trail, '06 Honda Civic EXi Rep Power: 52	The biggest thing i noticed on VGAs was text seems to be blurrier than DVIs, which are noticeably sharper. But we have 2 LCDs side by side with DVI and VGA to one each and it doesn't look like something the average user would notice unless they really looked or spent time using both or one heavily. Unless she does some heavy coding, or uses a lot of text for a really long period, it's not something to chase after if the person won't benefit. __________________ Some say he migrated when fuel hit 4 pounds per gallon and that he can make 'special price' for you. All we know is, he's the Stig's Arab cousin; Al-Stig!

October 9th, 2008, 01:11 PM	#4
matt2000 Squirrel Mincer Joined: Feb 17th, 2006 Last Online: 07:29 AM Location: Market Harborough, UK Age: 18 Posts: 3,479 Car: '77 Land Rover Series III LFS Status: Rep Power: 53	I have a VGA KVM here at work, and it has problems with lines across the screen when connected up to some machines. That wouldn't happen with DVI. DVI seems far superior. __________________ Signature last updated 27/11/08. Photos last updated 25/10/08.

October 9th, 2008, 10:09 PM	#5
fbc Mantastic! Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: 08:05 AM Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 33 Posts: 10,347 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 77	My five year old 17" Samsung LCD has both VGA & DVI - the DVI is much crisper than the VGA. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

October 9th, 2008, 10:11 PM	#6
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	Obviously DVI is better, I'm just wondering how much better. She's currently using VGA + a 19" CRT at 1280x1024. Basically, trying to decide if spending the extra money and/or getting a smaller screen for DVI is worth it. Thanks for the answers, guys. +rep for you all. __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

October 9th, 2008, 10:28 PM	#7
73GMCSprint Joined: Jun 20th, 2007 Last Online: 05:49 AM Location: UT, USA Posts: 418 Car: 1973 GMC Sprint, Buick 455, TH400 Rep Power: 13	I'd say for the average user they'd never know any difference. If they've used a DVI setup for a while and then switched back to VGA they might notice though. Side by side there is a definite difference, though it's not huge, and shouldn't affect usability very much if at all.

October 9th, 2008, 10:33 PM	#8
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	Just hooked my 24" LCD up via VGA (it has every connector under the sun). Holy shit does it look bad. Okay, so it's a big monitor and 1920x1200 which worsens the problem, but it's still a VERY noticeable difference. Seems DVI is a must. __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

October 9th, 2008, 10:47 PM	#9
matt2000 Squirrel Mincer Joined: Feb 17th, 2006 Last Online: 07:29 AM Location: Market Harborough, UK Age: 18 Posts: 3,479 Car: '77 Land Rover Series III LFS Status: Rep Power: 53	I think it's worth it. You also don't get screen position problems with DVI. Most good monitors have both connectors anyway now, can't say I've ever seen one with just VGA myself. And thanks for the rep. __________________ Signature last updated 27/11/08. Photos last updated 25/10/08.

October 9th, 2008, 10:54 PM	#10
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	Found a 20" with DVI for about the same price as the 21.6" I was looking at that only had VGA. __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

October 9th, 2008, 10:57 PM	#11
Seasonone Joined: Jun 30th, 2008 Last Online: 08:06 AM Location: Portland, Oregon USA Age: 24 Posts: 594 Car: RB25 "silvia" Rep Power: 16	It's hard to see the difference, you have to actually look for it. If she is use to a CRT than I doubt she would notice that she's not getting that slightly better signal. For me I would rather have the DVI because when I got my monitor it was only a few bucks more for a 22" acer with DVI. I would rather spend a little more now and have a good monitor for years. VGA is dying out, it would suck to be forced to get a crappier video card down the road because the one you want is DVI only. But again, that's me. If I were making a PC for my mom VGA would be more than enough because all she does is look at the internet. What Monitors are you looking at? Newegg still has the acer 22" for like $170 with DVI

October 9th, 2008, 10:59 PM	#12
Vette Boss Joined: Nov 14th, 2004 Last Online: 07:35 AM Location: United States, Britain, in time Age: 22 Posts: 2,980 Car: Nissan Altima 3.5-litre SE Rep Power: 34	Good job on the find, Viper. DVI really is much better in terms of crispness, especially when you get into bigger screens. On my 20", I wouldn't have anything else. __________________ 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5SE SHIFT_the future

October 9th, 2008, 11:04 PM	#13
matt2000 Squirrel Mincer Joined: Feb 17th, 2006 Last Online: 07:29 AM Location: Market Harborough, UK Age: 18 Posts: 3,479 Car: '77 Land Rover Series III LFS Status: Rep Power: 53	Slightly off topic, but what do mums actually look at when they go on the internet? It's a mystery. __________________ Signature last updated 27/11/08. Photos last updated 25/10/08.

October 9th, 2008, 11:26 PM	#14
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	20" Acer for $160 -> http://forums.finalgear.com/technolo...-3/#post805000 Continue actual monitor discussion there. __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

October 10th, 2008, 10:04 AM	#17
cl191 Joined: Nov 9th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 167 Car: lawn mower Rep Power: 10	If you run a LCD with non-native resolution, they are all gonna look bad, no matter it's DVI or VGA...

October 10th, 2008, 01:20 PM	#18
matt2000 Squirrel Mincer Joined: Feb 17th, 2006 Last Online: 07:29 AM Location: Market Harborough, UK Age: 18 Posts: 3,479 Car: '77 Land Rover Series III LFS Status: Rep Power: 53	I would have people shot for using monitors out of their native resolution. If you can't see it get some damn glasses! __________________ Signature last updated 27/11/08. Photos last updated 25/10/08.

October 10th, 2008, 01:46 PM	#19
Solberg Joined: Apr 24th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 1,040 Rep Power: 22	DVI is much much better. I could never go back to VGA now. Even a noob can easily notice the difference. Even if it's a bit more, go for DVI. You won't be sorry. __________________

October 10th, 2008, 01:48 PM	#20
Archie411 Joined: Nov 11th, 2007 Last Online: 01:09 AM Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 218 Car: Toyota Vista (My fathers, i'm still too young) LFS Status: Rep Power: 7