[mythtv-users] [Mythtv-users] - Slightly OT - New TV or Plasma in Aust

[Michael T. Dean]

On 05/30/06 22:26, Steve Hodge wrote:

>On 5/31/06, Chris Henderson <jchendo at gmail.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>Connection wise,
>>What is the best to look for?
>>MY FX5200 has the DVI output so that will give the best Picture, Right?
>>What is the advantage of a HDMI input over a DVI, remembering that the only
>>thing that is going to be pluged into this thing is my Mythfrontend with the
>>FX5200.
>>
>DVI or VGA. Theoretically DVI should be better, but I've heard they're
>indistinguishable in practice. I'm using VGA myself. 
>

I'll agree that theoretically DVI should be better and add to it that 
theoretically VGA should be better.  In other words which is better is 
dependant upon many factors--including the device outputting the signal, 
the cable and it's characteristics (wire guage, length, etc.), the 
device receiving the signal, the connections, ...  So, the only way to 
know which is better /for your equipment/ is to test both and choose the 
one that works the best.  However, as Steve said, you're unlikely to 
notice a difference.

See also http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html .  It 
uses Component as the basis for the analog comparison, but much of what 
it says about the analog signal also applies to VGA.

>HDMI has no
>advantages over DVI, AFAIK.
>
Definitely true.  Signal-wise, HDMI is identical to DVI, but 
often--because an HDMI bundles video and audio cables in one 
sheathing--uses inferior (lower guage) cable than DVI.  The inferior 
cable can impact quality--especially as distance increases.  IMHO, HDMI 
is "DVI for dummies" (those who can't figure out how to plug in both the 
video and audio cables).  :)

Mike