dvi monitors for xbox?

Disco Boy · 17 May 2011 at 11:53

I'm thinking about getting a new monitor, and I would like to be able to use it for my xbox. In this review of what looks like a very good value IPS monitor: http://www.digitalversus.com/lg-flatron-ips231p-p357_10778_35.html
It says that not having an HDMI input is a "real problem" if you want to console game. Why is that? Could I not simply use an HDMI to dvi cable to connect my xbox to it, and then use the optical from my xbox to some speakers/ headphones?

cmndr_andi · 17 May 2011 at 12:43

Digital versus aren't the best review site, perhaps they just didn't think of it

As you say, a cable like this would work fine, although you do need to route the sound directly from the console.

That said, that LG monitor doesn't use RTC/overdrive so it isn't really that great for gaming as it will show more ghosting than a monitor like the IPS Dell U2311H (which has RTC and it is well implemented).

Disco Boy · 17 May 2011 at 13:15

cmndr_andi said:
Digital versus aren't the best review site, perhaps they just didn't think of it

As you say, a cable like this would work fine, although you do need to route the sound directly from the console.

That said, that LG monitor doesn't use RTC/overdrive so it isn't really that great for gaming as it will show more ghosting than a monitor like the IPS Dell U2311H (which has RTC and it is well implemented).

I think I already have that exact cable for my old monitor

I will probably be connecting my xbox to my TV (as I do currently) so I was just checking that it would work like that if I chose not to. It will primarily just be for general use, maybe some films.

How bad would ghosting with the xbox be? I currently use my Samsung 5 series HD TV and don't notice any ghosting, is the response time much worse for this monitor? (the claimed response is 5ms for my TV and 6 for the LG (but 25ms as tested))

I had originally been thinking of that DELL, but the LG costing £60 less is quite attractive.

Alasdairhurst · 17 May 2011 at 15:33

You could have a look at the u2410. that has HD component plus HDMI and a load of others. plus it's 1920x1200 res and an IPS panel.
it can be rather expensive new, but look around on the bay and i'm sure you can find one for around 250 quid.
excellent quality panel

Disco Boy · 17 May 2011 at 15:46

As much as I would like one, especially because it has more vertical pixels. It's ~£100 more than the LG for a used one.

Alasdairhurst · 17 May 2011 at 15:51

I currently use(alongside my u2311h's), and have been using for over a year now, a LG23000 as a main monitor and as a TV. It is a great screen whcih has a native resolution of 1680x1050, however it can display 1920x1080 as well, which is good in games and movies, though not as mcuh for desktop use as everything is squashed slightly. my mate has a samsung tv that he uses for a monitor which has a native resolution of 1920x1080, and looks great but i can't remember the model.

cmndr_andi · 17 May 2011 at 16:05

Disco Boy said:
I think I already have that exact cable for my old monitor

I will probably be connecting my xbox to my TV (as I do currently) so I was just checking that it would work like that if I chose not to. It will primarily just be for general use, maybe some films.

How bad would ghosting with the xbox be? I currently use my Samsung 5 series HD TV and don't notice any ghosting, is the response time much worse for this monitor? (the claimed response is 5ms for my TV and 6 for the LG (but 25ms as tested))

I had originally been thinking of that DELL, but the LG costing £60 less is quite attractive.

Aye, the claimed response time is something you need to take with a pinch of salt. It's always best to look for independent tests.

If you are mainly gaming then you want either a TN panel monitor (though the image quality and viewing angles aren't up to IPS level) or an IPS panel with well-implemented overdrive/RTC. If you go for an IPS monitor without RTC then you may find the ghosting annoying in fast-paced games.

Have a look at this part of a review which compares the responsiveness of an E-IPS 23in panel with no RTC (possibly the same panel as the LG) to the U2311H dell.

Other things going in favour of the Dell to justify the extra cost are good build quality, an excellent stand, 3 years of very good warranty direct from dell, a premium panel guarantee (which gets you a free replacement if you have a single bright pixel), 4 port USB hub and a displayport input.

Disco Boy · 17 May 2011 at 16:21

Thanks for all your help. I think that I might just stick with the LG as my plan and keep just using my TV for my xbox.

The LG comes with a 3 year warranty and has a similar stand (can change to portrait) height adjustment I can live without (or I have text books for that

) I will be buying offline so I could return a monitor if it had a dead or stuck pixel anyway. A USB port would be nice, but I'm not sure if it's worth £60 to me. I'm under no illusions that the DELL isn't better, but I think that the saving is worth it for me. I could well change my mind when I come to buy though!

Hagar · 17 May 2011 at 16:29

I have a Samsung 2443 (1920 x 1200) 24" and use the vga input for the xbox 360 with the sound output directly to my 5.1 speakers, a cable is available to carry both VGA and sound from the xbox.. I use the DVi for the PC input. Works well no ghosting.

Xbox 360 Live VGA AV Cable