Using DVI instead of VGA: increase computer monitor resolution?

07
2014-07
  • Jessica M.

    This is for a computer screen. Both my video card and computer screen have DVI ports on them but I'm using VGA. I'm wondering if there would be a difference if I switched from VGA to DVI. My current resolution is 1920x1080 with the VGA cord.

    1. Would my resolution increase if I were to switch to DVI? Are there any advantages of switching from VGA to DVI?

    2. I've read there are 5 different type of DVI cables. how do I know which one to buy?

    • Answers
  • Ryan Gooler

    DVI allows higher resolutions than VGA. Its also a digital signal, rather than analog, so its not prone to interference. To determine what type you need, compare the back of the monitor with this chart:

    http://blog.123inkcartridges.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DVI-types.gif

    Most likely, you need DVI-D Single Link. Dual link will work as well, as long as it will plug in, and will make it so you don't have to swap the cable if you get a higher resolution monitor in the future.


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    display - Can you use a DVI-VGA Adapter on a monitor instead of a video card?
  • Joel Coehoorn

    I suspect the answer to this is "no", but here goes:

    I have a monitor with inputs for DVI and VGA. I want to be able to share this display with two computers (one at a time, of course) that both have VGA only. I also have a DVI->VGA dongle that came with a video card that's in a different computer.

    Can I connect this dongle directly to the DVI port on the monitor so that I can connect both VGA computers? I'd rather not resort to a kvm.


    • Related Answers
  • David Spillett

    No, you'll need to use the KVM option or buy a couple of VGA extension cables and manually switch between the two (bring the two monitor ends of the extensions and the PC end of the monitor's table up to you test and hold them there with something like http://lifehacker.com/5499838/binder-clips-as-cable-catchers-redux%5D and just plug the monitor one into the right extension when you need to). You might find a cheap 2-machine KVM with the required cables doesn't cost much more than a couple of plain VGA extension cables though.

    A DVI->VGA "converter" doesn't actually convert any signals at all. Most DVI ports on graphics cards also carry the analog RGB signals needed by a VGA monitor along side the digital signal lines (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface for relevant pinout diagrams) and all the adaptor does is connect these pins to the right pins of the VGA port. So unless your monitor can accept the reverse (analog signals through its DVI input), which I doubt many (if any) do, this does not work the other way around.

  • Tom Wijsman

    Nope. The DVI-->VGA dongle is actually "DVI-I" to VGA. The "I" representing that the DVI port has the analog signals needed to convert to analog VGA.

    Since the Monitor doesn't produce a signal (analog or otherwise) they only have DVI-D ports on them ("D" being 'digital-only'), so you won't even be able to plug the dongle into the port (the spade is the wrong size, and there will be 4 extra pins on the dongle (these are the analog signal pins).