HDMI vs DVI vs VGA

[Osmo]

So which of these cables are the best for pc gaming/ HD video on a LCD OR an LED screen?

On my other PC I have used my HDMI cable to connect my pc to my samsung LCD. Unfortunetly I never played any games on there but I did notice the difference. The Desktop wallpaper looked more real, more vibrants and colours look fantastic. I watched some HD movies on there to with a CCCP player, it looked good. But the thing is, the menu display looked kinda weird, like a lil fuzzy, not typical fuzzy but something was different about it compared to a VGA to normal pc monitor screen.

I've got a DVI port at the back of my monitor, was wondering if i should make use of it.

[vuzedome]

If you got DVI out from your graphics and DVI in to our monitor, give it a shot.

[Xtras]

Well, DVI and HDMI are really the same thing for image quality. Just that HDMI carries sound along with it. I wouldn't bother with VGA.

Only bother with HDMI if you have a surround sound audio system. Else there isn't too much point. DVI is just as good.

[Osmo]

Well, DVI and HDMI are really the same thing for image quality. Just that HDMI carries sound along with it. I wouldn't bother with VGA.

Only bother with HDMI if you have a surround sound audio system. Else there isn't too much point. DVI is just as good.

So going back to my other thread, the motherboard I buy has to have HDMI ports and DVI ports otherwise no can do right? Also why do some of the best mobos do not have hdmi ports?


Vuzedome: What do you mean by DVI out of my graphics? Graphics card of mobo?

[Natheria]

So going back to my other thread, the motherboard I buy has to have HDMI ports and DVI ports otherwise no can do right? Also why do some of the best mobos do not have hdmi ports?


Vuzedome: What do you mean by DVI out of my graphics? Graphics card of mobo?

Unless you're getting integrated graphics ether on the mother board or in the CPU you don't need display output connectors as your video card will supply them. With higher end mobos they assume your buying a graphics card for the computer (if you already have a separate video card, why do you need those ports on the mobo?). Hence why cheaper set ups will have DVI/VGA/etc ports on the mobo because there's already a graphics chip on the mobo (or in Intel's new i3/i5 CPUs)

Vuzedome meant graphics out of your graphics card.

[vuzedome]

I assumed you're using discrete graphics. Oh well, nowadays most graphic cards have either HDMI or DVI and some even have both.

Integrated mobos mostly use HDMI instead.

[fohfoh]

So what I'm getting is...

DVI vs HDMI should be similar for visuals. But DVI gives you a "choice" in sound quality while HDMI is somewhat... integrated? Not to mention you need extra cabling for a DVI set up?

[Osmo]

So going back to my other thread, the motherboard I buy has to have HDMI ports and DVI ports otherwise no can do right? Also why do some of the best mobos do not have hdmi ports?


Vuzedome: What do you mean by DVI out of my graphics? Graphics card of mobo?

Unless you're getting integrated graphics ether on the mother board or in the CPU you don't need display output connectors as your video card will supply them. With higher end mobos they assume your buying a graphics card for the computer (if you already have a separate video card, why do you need those ports on the mobo?). Hence why cheaper set ups will have DVI/VGA/etc ports on the mobo because there's already a graphics chip on the mobo (or in Intel's new i3/i5 CPUs)

Vuzedome meant graphics out of your graphics card.

So what's the connection that higher mobos run off if not VGA/dvi etc?

I assumed you're using discrete graphics. Oh well, nowadays most graphic cards have either HDMI or DVI and some even have both.

Integrated mobos mostly use HDMI instead.

Oh so the ports would run off the video cards on the high end oness?
What's an intergrated motherboard as opposed to a non-intergrated?
Also which port is reccomended?

So what I'm getting is...

DVI vs HDMI should be similar for visuals. But DVI gives you a "choice" in sound quality while HDMI is somewhat... integrated? Not to mention you need extra cabling for a DVI set up?

So which is better? Sound quality and video quality?

Say if I didn't have a sound card could I just use the hdmi cable for sound?

Ty for the posts.

[psyren]

DVI does not carry sound.
Make your choice based on that.

[fohfoh]

Ah ok. So DVI setup would be similar to old school S-Video then I presume (except the quality difference).

Makes sense.

[vuzedome]

Ah...
Integrated, as in the graphics processor is integrated into the motherboard, thus you get a video output(VGA, HDMI) from the motherboard instead of getting a discrete graphic card.

Most of these motherboards with integrated graphics will use HDMI as the output.

I've tried both HDMI and DVI, but I don't see any difference in quality. Even if HDMI carries sound, I won't use it as I've a separate audio receiver.

[kich]

My new video card has SPDIF out, which is pretty neat. It comes with a DVI to HDMI adapter, and it carries the sound through the HDMI signal. If you can go that route you might as well, since (as far as I can tell) image quality is identical and you can cut one cord out of your setup, which is always nice.

[Osmo]

Hmm I understand now

[bcr123]

VGA is an analog video-only signal, it has separate red, green,blue signals, end quality is highly affected by cable quality and length also it can be affected by interference.

DVI and HDMI are both digital signals that are the same quality for video in fact you can get DVI<->HDMI cables. 
HDMI carries audio on the same cable. Image quality is not affected by cable length or quality, it's an all or nothing proposition as long as it is adequate the image is the same.

In terms of video quality

composite < svideo <<< VGA < ( DVI / HDMI )

VGA can be indistinguishable from DVI/HDMI if it's setup cleanly.

[Proin Drakenzol]

VGA is an analog video-only signal, it has separate red, green,blue signals, end quality is highly affected by cable quality and length also it can be affected by interference.

DVI and HDMI are both digital signals that are the same quality for video in fact you can get DVI<->HDMI cables. 
HDMI carries audio on the same cable. Image quality is not affected by cable length or quality, it's an all or nothing proposition as long as it is adequate the image is the same.

In terms of video quality

composite < svideo <<< VGA < ( DVI / HDMI )

VGA can be indistinguishable from DVI/HDMI if it's setup cleanly.

The biggest difference between composite/SVideo and VGA/DVI/HDMI maximum resolution.

Composite is (iirc) only up to 640x480. SVideo is 1024x768. VGA (really Super VGA) is up to 2560x1600 (WQXGA). DVI/HDMI supports up to 3840 × 2400 (Dual Link only).

[Tatsujin]

Ah...
Integrated, as in the graphics processor is integrated into the motherboard, thus you get a video output(VGA, HDMI) from the motherboard instead of getting a discrete graphic card.

Most of these motherboards with integrated graphics will use HDMI as the output.

I've tried both HDMI and DVI, but I don't see any difference in quality. Even if HDMI carries sound, I won't use it as I've a separate audio receiver.

That.

Avoid VGA.

[morrefule]

HDMI and DVI are basically the same outside of audio.  Though One thing though, if you are a Videophile and you are using a Large Monitor such as a 32" or so, with HDMI you can get graded cabling that is speed rated.  Plus if you are like me and Cables matter, it is much easier to find i High Grade HDMI Cable than DVI, which helps reduce video overlap and artifacting on the screen.

And with HDMI 1.4 if they ever come out with 3D Video games, like they are with the 3D Television, the 1.4 cable can carry the 3D signal.  Of course that is depending on you having a 3D Video Card and 3D monitor and the funny glasses to wear with it

Either Way for your basic Gamer, you will not see a difference between HDMI and DVI.