Need the whole DVi, TFT stuff to be explained :)

MumboJumbo · 10 Jul 2007 at 16:59

Hi, im just getting a bit confused. Ive never really looked up monitors before nor really had a fancy to know things about them. But i keep seeing all these words and im getting confuzzled.

I know what LCD and CRT are. But whats TFT and whats the difference? And where does DVI fit into things. I know the graphic card i want to get is DVI, does that mean i need a DVI monitor?

Thank you for helping out a wee lil noob

:EDIT:

Just had a brain wave (although may be less of the brain depending on how wrong i am).... does DVI have something to do with duel monitors....

PhillyDee · 10 Jul 2007 at 17:21

DVI is Digital Video Interface.

If you have a VGA monitor, Video cards come with a DVI-VGA(D-Sub)converter plug. (Most do, all that i have ever bought do). Digital is far better than the VGA, and most monitors are now DVI. Though it always pays to check. my BenQ has both and i can select between the 2 inputs.

LCD and TFT are 2 different technologies for which is essentialy the same thing. A thin, flat panel monitor. There is a difference. LCD - Liquid Crystal Display. TFT - Thin Film Transistor. I dont know the difference either.

MumboJumbo · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:46

Thanks, sounds good to me

Fr0dders · 10 Jul 2007 at 20:49

DVI and VGA are different ways of hooking up monitors. Old fashioned big monitors (called CRT) will allways use VGA because its an analogue connection.

Newer thin monitors can use either, with more expensive monitors usually offering both, and the cheaper ones only having VGA. DVI is a digital and generally better

as for TFT and LCD. LCD is a generic term for any display with liquid crystals.

Theare a couple of different types of LCD display as well as the TFT technology used in all desktop monitors such as Anisotropic Conductive Film, Transreflective LCD etc.. but all computer monitors are TFTs, and since the other types of LCDs arent very prevalent, the 2 words have become to mean the same type of thing.

MumboJumbo · 10 Jul 2007 at 21:36

Oo ok then thanks, i just had a nosey behind my monitor and i do infact have both VGA and DVI. 19" ViewSonic, is a nice screen but they dont sell any more on overclockers?