HDMI vs. DVI vs. VGA

zerogate · 2009-07-01, 05:57 PM

hi!

what are this new technologies all about?
my father wants to buy a hdmi cable for his beamer to be able to view digital fotos on it in "high quality".

my question is: if the beamer supports a specific resolution, isn't it without relevance which type of cable to use to transfer the image to the beamer?

sth else: what good does it do, if i use a cable which has hdmi on one end and dvi on the other end to connect my notebook to the beamer? will it still be able to perform at the highest possible rate? what is the difference of using dvi or hdmi?

and what about good old vga? isn't it also possible to view high resolutions with vga?

is all this really just about the resolution or are there other quality issues brought upon with the new technologies?

sry if this sounds noobish but i'm really curious

thanks alot,
cheers

57 · 2009-07-01, 06:05 PM

Here's a post on Cables & Connections. It's not (only) the cable that makes the resolution, but the capabilities of the devices connected and the ports. For example, you can get HD via RGB, VGA, Component Video, DVI, VGA, but the particular device or port may only be capable of a certain resolution.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76085

I have no idea what a beamer is, other than a BMW, which makes no sense to me when talking about HDTV.

Here's a post useful for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc.:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

eljay · 2009-07-01, 06:15 PM

..........................

zerogate · 2009-07-01, 06:17 PM

this is a beamer(in german language):http://www.computer-media-service.co...beamer_nec.jpg

so why do DVI and HDMI exist if it is possible to get everything you want with a normal VGA cable? what are the additional features of DVI and HDMI?

Eljaca · 2009-07-01, 07:33 PM

Definition of "Beamer" taken from the french version of wikipedia...

Le nom provient de l'allemand Beamer, faux anglicisme pour vidéoprojecteur.

Curiousity got a hold of me so I had to check

57 · 2009-07-01, 08:18 PM

DVI and HDMI ensure a "handshake" takes place between the sending device and the receiving device. This ensures appropriate digital rights management, etc. HDMI is also a two-way communication so that the devices can sometimes "talk" to give the best resolution, audio, control equipment, etc.

zerogate · 2009-07-02, 02:42 AM

so connecting the laptop per VGA to the projector will result in the same image quality?

connecting it per hdmi/dvi is (for this purpose) useless?

edit:
sth else:
connecting my laptop per vga (instead of hdmi) to a full hd tv will result in no quality loss on the screen?

Interceptor · 2009-07-02, 07:11 AM

In connecting my computer to LCD screens, I've noticed that I get a clearer picture in DVI rather than VGA so I use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect my computer to my TV. I've heard some TVs won't accept a full 1920x1080 signal via VGA. Others have said the VGA picture is just as good so it may depend on your equipment, so try it out. DVI and HDMI are digital signals while VGA is not.

Preacher519 · 2009-07-02, 10:01 AM

My DLP TV will only do 1280x720 over the VGA link, but DVI to HDMI gives me the full 1920x1080. One thing I noticed was that some websites were virtually unreadable when I connected via DVI-HDMI, same sites were just fine over VGA at the same resolution.

The only thing HDMI really provides is video and audio over a single cable vs DVI which does not, and neither will VGA. Of course even most video cards with HDMI sill need a special pass through cable for the Audio to work, or just don't provide audio over HDMI at all.

HDMI 1.4 now provides an ethernet link or something, and additional features/confusion depending on which HDMI 1.4 standard the cable is using. Stupid electronics industry, making money off consumer confusion, or in the case of Monster, just making money by hoping people wont realize when they're being out right lied to.

zerogate · 2009-07-02, 11:57 AM

thanks for your replies.

all of this seems pretty vague. does anyone know something more about the technical backgrounds which cause this random behaviour? ^^

Dog Byte · 2009-07-04, 02:55 PM

VGA is analogue video.
DVI is digital video
HDMI is DVI plus digital audio and copy protection.

You'll get the best picture if you set the video output to the native resolution of the projector (beamer). otherwise the projector will have to scale the signal which indroduces distortion. In theory DVI should do this automatically but who knows what evil lurks in the minds of programmers and engineers.

DVI adn HDMI were meant for short distances (less than 10') and VGA can go further (50').

scotta · 2009-07-05, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dog Byte

DVI is digital video
HDMI is DVI plus digital audio and copy protection.

DVI can include the same HDCP copy protection as HDMI (but DVI does not include audio).

Quote:

DVI adn HDMI were meant for short distances (less than 10') and VGA can go further (50').

If you trust Wikipedia and its sources; for HDMI:
"A cable of about 5 meters (16 ft.) can be manufactured to Category 1 specifications easily and inexpensively by using 28 AWG (0.081 mm²) conductors. With better quality construction and materials, including 24 AWG (0.205 mm²) conductors, an HDMI cable can reach lengths of up to 15 meters (49 ft.)."

raypundo · 2009-07-29, 02:03 PM

Another thing to note when hooking a computer up to a HDTV is that most TV's will overscan, which will distort the text of a website onscreen, making it blurry (or unreadable).

On my 42" Aquos that I use a computer screen, if it is not set to 1:1 pixel mapping, it looks bad. Turn that on and it's clear as day.

For which one is best, the answer is any one that allows the source to pass to the reciever, in the way which both the source and reciever want it to be.

Only knowing exactly what the is coming out, and what can be accepted, and matching them, can you get a "real" answer.

Wayne · 2009-07-29, 11:45 PM

The other thing to keep in mind is that most A/V receivers will switch HDMI but not VGA so if you are using an A/V receiver for switching and audio then HDMI makes more sense. Given that you are using a projector it is probably easier and cleaner to just run one set of cables to the projector which means it makes even more sense to use HDMI and run all of your other sources through the receiver.

firechkn · 2009-08-06, 04:07 PM

I thought he was talking about a car at first, Beamer as in BMW

I learned something new today.

2009-07-01, 05:57 PM	#1
zerogate Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	HDMI vs. DVI vs. VGA hi! what are this new technologies all about? my father wants to buy a hdmi cable for his beamer to be able to view digital fotos on it in "high quality". my question is: if the beamer supports a specific resolution, isn't it without relevance which type of cable to use to transfer the image to the beamer? sth else: what good does it do, if i use a cable which has hdmi on one end and dvi on the other end to connect my notebook to the beamer? will it still be able to perform at the highest possible rate? what is the difference of using dvi or hdmi? and what about good old vga? isn't it also possible to view high resolutions with vga? is all this really just about the resolution or are there other quality issues brought upon with the new technologies? sry if this sounds noobish but i'm really curious thanks alot, cheers

2009-07-01, 06:05 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 41,646	Here's a post on Cables & Connections. It's not (only) the cable that makes the resolution, but the capabilities of the devices connected and the ports. For example, you can get HD via RGB, VGA, Component Video, DVI, VGA, but the particular device or port may only be capable of a certain resolution. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76085 I have no idea what a beamer is, other than a BMW, which makes no sense to me when talking about HDTV. Here's a post useful for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc.: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment/photos) 57's Optimization Services

2009-07-01, 06:15 PM	#3
eljay Premium Supporter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 7,519	.......................... __________________ InFocus SP7210 720p DLP\|Grandview LF-PU 100" 16:9\|OPPO BDP-83\|Emotiva UPA-5 Marantz SR6003\|Paradigm S60v4, CC-690v5, ADP-370v3, MiniMonv4\|SVS PB12-NSD

2009-07-01, 08:18 PM	#6
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 41,646	DVI and HDMI ensure a "handshake" takes place between the sending device and the receiving device. This ensures appropriate digital rights management, etc. HDMI is also a two-way communication so that the devices can sometimes "talk" to give the best resolution, audio, control equipment, etc. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment/photos) 57's Optimization Services

2009-07-02, 02:42 AM	#7
zerogate Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	so connecting the laptop per VGA to the projector will result in the same image quality? connecting it per hdmi/dvi is (for this purpose) useless? edit: sth else: connecting my laptop per vga (instead of hdmi) to a full hd tv will result in no quality loss on the screen? Last edited by zerogate; 2009-07-02 at 03:16 AM.

2009-07-01, 06:17 PM	#4
zerogate Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	this is a beamer(in german language):http://www.computer-media-service.co...beamer_nec.jpg so why do DVI and HDMI exist if it is possible to get everything you want with a normal VGA cable? what are the additional features of DVI and HDMI?

2009-07-01, 07:33 PM	#5
Eljaca Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Whitby, ON, Rogers, SA8300, Yamaha RX-V3900, Sanyo Z2000, PS3 60gig, PS3 Slim 120gig, XBox360 Posts: 128	Definition of "Beamer" taken from the french version of wikipedia... Le nom provient de l'allemand Beamer, faux anglicisme pour vidéoprojecteur. Curiousity got a hold of me so I had to check

2009-07-02, 07:11 AM	#8
Interceptor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunshine Coast Posts: 403	In connecting my computer to LCD screens, I've noticed that I get a clearer picture in DVI rather than VGA so I use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect my computer to my TV. I've heard some TVs won't accept a full 1920x1080 signal via VGA. Others have said the VGA picture is just as good so it may depend on your equipment, so try it out. DVI and HDMI are digital signals while VGA is not.

2009-07-02, 10:01 AM	#9
Preacher519 Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 10	My DLP TV will only do 1280x720 over the VGA link, but DVI to HDMI gives me the full 1920x1080. One thing I noticed was that some websites were virtually unreadable when I connected via DVI-HDMI, same sites were just fine over VGA at the same resolution. The only thing HDMI really provides is video and audio over a single cable vs DVI which does not, and neither will VGA. Of course even most video cards with HDMI sill need a special pass through cable for the Audio to work, or just don't provide audio over HDMI at all. HDMI 1.4 now provides an ethernet link or something, and additional features/confusion depending on which HDMI 1.4 standard the cable is using. Stupid electronics industry, making money off consumer confusion, or in the case of Monster, just making money by hoping people wont realize when they're being out right lied to.

2009-07-02, 11:57 AM	#10
zerogate Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	thanks for your replies. all of this seems pretty vague. does anyone know something more about the technical backgrounds which cause this random behaviour? ^^

2009-07-04, 02:55 PM	#11
Dog Byte Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 863	VGA is analogue video. DVI is digital video HDMI is DVI plus digital audio and copy protection. You'll get the best picture if you set the video output to the native resolution of the projector (beamer). otherwise the projector will have to scale the signal which indroduces distortion. In theory DVI should do this automatically but who knows what evil lurks in the minds of programmers and engineers. DVI adn HDMI were meant for short distances (less than 10') and VGA can go further (50').

2009-07-29, 02:03 PM	#13
raypundo Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 114	Another thing to note when hooking a computer up to a HDTV is that most TV's will overscan, which will distort the text of a website onscreen, making it blurry (or unreadable). On my 42" Aquos that I use a computer screen, if it is not set to 1:1 pixel mapping, it looks bad. Turn that on and it's clear as day. For which one is best, the answer is any one that allows the source to pass to the reciever, in the way which both the source and reciever want it to be. Only knowing exactly what the is coming out, and what can be accepted, and matching them, can you get a "real" answer. __________________ 62MX195, Shaw 6412 HD-PVR, Sony S350, VSX-1018AH-K, LC-42D62U (Computer monitor)

2009-07-29, 11:45 PM	#14
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro, Sony KDS60A2020, Toshiba 50h81+42HP86,SA8300HD, 3xSA3250HD, 3xSA3200, HTPC,Sage+5 extender Posts: 4,053	The other thing to keep in mind is that most A/V receivers will switch HDMI but not VGA so if you are using an A/V receiver for switching and audio then HDMI makes more sense. Given that you are using a projector it is probably easier and cleaner to just run one set of cables to the projector which means it makes even more sense to use HDMI and run all of your other sources through the receiver.

2009-08-06, 04:07 PM	#15
firechkn Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Scarborough Posts: 162	I thought he was talking about a car at first, Beamer as in BMW I learned something new today.

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