Surprised by lack of difference between VGA and HDMI

NeilF

NeilF

NeilF

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I run my monitor through an old KVM switch which is VGA.

I've now tried both an old Hyunday N220W and a newer ASUS VH242 though VGA and digital (DVI and HDMI) and I'll swear if there's any difference it's minimal to the extent you can't see it!? eg: Flicking between VGA and HDMI face upto the monitor looking for pixel differences!?

I'm just surprised VGA (especially through a KVM) gives (basically) the same result say as a dedicated HDMI.

Not complaining mind as it makes my (wiring) life easier!
 
Hmm, check this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVMoIP#Monitor

It might be that your KVM switch is "pass-through" type, which means it shouldn't alter the signal (EDID, namely) in any way. Which is a good thing.

Furthermore, it might be hard to compare them objectively when you can't view the HDMI and VGA output simultaneously (I'm assuming that changing the input source makes a short blank screen). But then again, the difference isn't supposed to be anything earth-shattering, in any case. We're probably talking about quality difference in single digits (1-5%, most likely). The choice of monitor should make a more tangible difference.
 
It's only a cheep Belkin Soho one...

There might be the very slightest crispness to the HDMI compared to the VGA but I might be imagining it, it's so subtle if even there!?

Even on icons with singlel pixels of details, between HDMI and VGA there's little if no difference, when looking from 1 foot away... so from 3 foot away where I sit? Nout!
 
Admittedly I have crap eyesight but I can't really tell any difference either when it comes to monitors. The only issues I've had with VGA has been interference (e.g. power lead wrapped round the monitor cable) which shouldn't happen with things set up properly.
 
What resolution are you (OP) running?

When I connect my monitors to my gfx card using both VGA and DVI and full HD resolution, I can see that DVI is a lot sharper when I switch the monitor inputs.

GFX is a Radeon 7700 and monitors are Beng 2420HDBL and Iiyama PL24763HD
 
Tomsk said:
What resolution are you (OP) running?

When I connect my monitors to my gfx card using both VGA and DVI and full HD resolution, I can see that DVI is a lot sharper when I switch the monitor inputs.

GFX is a Radeon 7700 and monitors are Beng 2420HDBL and Iiyama PL24763HD
Click to expand...

1920x1080...

I'm using HDMI vs VGA currently... Can't imagine there's any difference between HDMI and DVI!

Mayby my VGA lead is better than yours?
 
NeilFawcett said:
1920x1080...

I'm using HDMI vs VGA currently... Can't imagine there's any difference between HDMI and DVI!

Mayby my VGA lead is better than yours?
Click to expand...

The VGA lead came with the Benq, so I doubt it was a poor lead. The DVI was a just a cheap lead I got from some PC shop (probably OcUK). Even now I run the DVI through a KVM and the pictures sharp.
 
DVI and HDMI are the same thing, just different connectors, so there shouldn't be a difference. A good VGA cable vs a bad VGA cable, that is noticeable! As said above, VGA is also susceptible to interference where DVI/HDMI are pretty immune
 
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