DVI vs HDMI?

[JJ1217]

Hi guys, so currently I have a BenQ T2200HD with a native resolution of 1920x1080. It currently uses a DVI cable. Now I don't know much about monitors, so I was wondering would my screen look better if I had a HDMI cable? They only cost about $10 so its not a major issue. If it is better, how would I plug it in?

Many Thanks

~JJ1217

 

[MauveCloud]

There won't be any difference in video quality, though there are a few potential compatibility issues if using a converter between DVI and HDMI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Compatibility_with_DVI
Also, when a video card recognizes that you're using an HDMI cable (at either end), it may initially set the overscan/underscan settings and cause the screen to have black bands around it or look cut off (although you can usually adjust the settings to fix this), but I haven't heard of that happening with a DVI connection at both ends.

 

[JJ1217]

ok thanks, I only wanted to see if it improved video quality, I thought it would because when I used it with My 360 it increased the quality remarkably.

 

[MauveCloud]

With the 360 you went from analog (component or vga) to digital (the hdmi cable), but DVI is already digital.

 

[JJ1217]

I actually think I'm using VGA to DVI, I'm not certain, but if I am will that improve quality? Im using a T2200HD so im not sure how to tell If I am.

 

[JJ1217]

Ok I've figured it out. I've got a VGA cable coming from the back of my monitor, which is plugged into a Adapter which takes VGA and comes out as DVI ending. Would I get any clearer imagery if I changed to one DVI cable? My monitor DOES support DVI and if so It would be pointless for me to use a HDMI cable.

 

[MauveCloud]

It could be better, but there's more to the image clarity than just the cable. If the monitor offers you a sharpness setting, you might try adjusting it based on http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/sharpness.php
My current monitor (which is technically a TV) looks fine to me with a DVI to VGA adapter plug and a VGA cable, but some of my older monitors have looked horrible with a VGA connection, having issues like horizontally-offset ghost images, which the monitor settings were unlikely to fix.
Some monitors disable some settings for certain inputs, so if you see several disabled when using the DVI cable, you could try an HDMI cable for comparison.

 

[JJ1217]

Uhm for the image, I have too high gamma and Too high sharpness apparently.

 

[liaoweipid]

I've got a VGA cable coming from the back of my monitor, which is plugged into a Adapter which takes VGA and comes out as DVI ending.

 

[JJ1217]

Best answer selected by JJ1217.