PC has DVI/HDMI - My HDTV only has vga/hdmi hook-ups, hdmi looks bad - Solutions?

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Mason Putney

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Feb 12, 2014
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Hey everyone!

First time here on the site, thanks for your help!

(my v-card is an nVIDIA GTX 645 - 1 HDMI, 1 DVI, 1 DisplayPort)
SO, I have a fairly new PC that I just invested in - I decided I wanted a bigger display for gaming/movies, etc - And I went and bought a 32" Element LCD TV - Now initially, I hooked hdmi > hdmi - And set the native resolution(1360x768). I then made sure my aspect ratio was on "Just Scan". But the picture quality was not suffice. I then tried getting a DVI > HDMI adapter ( hoping I could use the HDMI cord from the DVI on my pc, to a HDMI input on the TV) and still no luck. My resolution is kind of blurry, gaming is kinda choppy and definitely not NEAR as "crisp" as my old DVI >DVI 22" Acer Monitor.

Now I understand that DVI/HDMI is definitely better than VGA - But this HDTV was fairly cheap - It only has 3 HDMI slots on it and a VGA(No DVI slots). The only thing labeled as a viable "PC" connection is the VGA - And the setting on the tv won't let me re-label "HMDI1" to "PC" - I'm pretty stumped as far as what else I can try?

To be short:

HDMI > HDMI = blurry image, text, gaming experience is choppy.
DVI > HDMI (with adapter) = still blurry image, text, and gaming is choppy. And for some reason I still have sound? ( I thought you lost sound in this process?)

Since my HDTV has a "PC" slot, but it's VGA - Would grabbing a DVI > VGA adapter and cord help me? Is the TV just lacking? I really don't want to return the TV - I just want a bigger display with the same crisp, smooth look.

Help please! I've been researching this for 48+ hrs and Idk what to do!
 
Solution
L
An adapter will work fine followed by a cable as you said. I haven't experienced any loss of image before due to using one, perhaps Ronin could elaborate on why one should not be used?
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Mason Putney

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Yes, my old screen ( which is DVI > DVI ) looks great! Everything is crisp, smooth, text is not blurry or bleeding. But when I was HDMI > HDMI (on the 32" HDTV) It looks as explained above. And this same thing happens with the TV when I use a DVI > HDMI adapter. (No DVI slot on this TV.)
 
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liquidsnaske

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Jun 26, 2013
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Hello,

I used to have this issue on my old TV, DVI connection always gave a rather poor image no matter what I tried. My solution was to used a HDMI to VGA cable which worked perfectly and improved the image a lot (this was on a 1366x768 resolution).

More recently on my monitor I replaced the TV with I initially had issues using HDMI as it wouldn't support the best resolution the screen is capable of (1920x1080) whereas other connections would. Here the problem was solved once I upgraded my graphics card.

In your case I'm 90% certain a HDMI to VGA converter will help you. Just be sure when getting one that it is the correct type for your pc by physically checking the pins (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVI).

As for your concerns that DVI/HDMi is better than VGA it simply isn't the case. The only real difference is the transfer of Audio and device information will will not happen through a VGA connection but device information isn't important for plaything to work and the audio can no doubt be wired into a separate input port often paired next to the VGA connector.

Hope that helps
 
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Mason Putney

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As stated above, my TV doesn't have a 'PC' Mode.
It has TV, AV, Component, HDMI1, HDMI2, HDMI3, VGA, USB - And there's no where in the TV settings to change any of them to "PC." The only one labled as "PC" (which is on the side of the TV and in the manual) Is the VGA.

http://www.elementelectronics.com/products/elcfw329/ (this is my TV)
 
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Mason Putney

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Thanks for the reply! Would I be able to just invest in a HDMI > VGA cord? Is a converter necessary? Thanks again!

 
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liquidsnaske

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Woops I selected your reply as best solution ,sorry about that.

I made a mistake there. My setup was using a converter and I don't think you can VGA to DVI cable, but if you can find one then there's no reason it wouldn't work.

My exact setup was a converter plugged into the PC's DVI giving a female VGA socket then a VGA to VGA cable to the TV.



 
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Mason Putney

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Thanks again for the quick replies and no worries.
Ready that WIKI link you gave me, I'm pretty sure I do have DVI-I(Dual Link) and/or DVI-M1-DA.
(looks exactly the same as the pictures show.)

"...A VGA monitor, for example, can be connected to a video source with DVI-I through the use of a passive adapter. Since the analog pins are directly compatible with VGA signaling, passive adapters are simple and cheap to produce, providing a cost-effective solution to support VGA on DVI....?"

So I'm assuming I can just get a DVI > VGA adapter? And of course the VGA cord?
 
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ronintexas

ronintexas

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I just looked over your TV's manual, the only input that utilizes "PC Mode" is the VGA input. So if you connect a standard VGA cable, it will give the best display possible (do not use an adapter DVI/HDMI to VGA).

Some of the more expensive TV's have PC mode for HDMI, DVI, Component and VGA connectors.
 
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Mason Putney

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Aaah yes, and here lies my issue: I WANT to use VGA to connect to my TV, because it's the only "PC Mode" on my TV - However, my computer ( being newer and all ) ONLY has HDMI/DVI slots on the V-Card, there is no VGA on my PC..

And you just said, "Do not use and adapter" - But isn't this my only choice? Does using an adapter mess it up?
 
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liquidsnaske

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An adapter will work fine followed by a cable as you said. I haven't experienced any loss of image before due to using one, perhaps Ronin could elaborate on why one should not be used?
 
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Mason Putney

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Feb 12, 2014
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Thanks for all the help you guys!

I'll probably be trying an adapter and VGA cord tonight or early in the morning.
I will let you guys know how it goes.

Thanks again and take care! <3
 
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ronintexas

ronintexas

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I have a 32" LCD in my bedroom, and to get "crystal clear" Windows desktop, you have to use the VGA to VGA connection. This is a Windows Media Center PC, and a "very cheap" LCD...

When I use the VGA connection, the desktop looks great. Unfortunately, WMC requires DVI/HDMI connections to work (HDCP compliant - VGA is not, HDMI/DVI are). The result is my Windows desktop is "fuzzy", but my WMC video looks great. I tried the DVI > VGA adapter, it still looked "fuzzy" to me....and WMC wouldn't work.
 
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Mason Putney

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I actually just managed to get a hold of a DVI > VGA adapter, it looks considerably better - But, I agree they are very cheap TV's - I'll definitely keep this in mind next time. The quality is quite improved so I can't complain - Thanks again, Ronin and liquid - Saved me a fair amount of trouble! Cheers!
 
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