External display: VGA vs. DVI?

when i bought my 12" PB 1.33ghz the salesperson at the apple store mentioned something about this computer having a graphics card that is designed to work better with DVI monitor. I didn't quite understand what he was talking about, because I didn't intend to buy a monitor. Now I'm in the market for a (non-apple) display and I'm trying to figure out if there is any advantage to buying a monitor that plugs in via DVI over a VGA monitor. Nowhere in my manual can I find anything to verify what the salesperson said. Furthermore, the computer came with two adaptors--one for VGA and the other for a 24pin DVI. If the computer includes an adaptor for the VGA, it seems to me that it would be perfectly compitable with this type of monitor. The sales-rep at MacWarehouse also didn't know of any performance difference.
So I'm wondering if any monitor guru out there knows if there is, indeed, any performance advantage to using a DVI monitor. If you have any advice about what 17 or 19" monitor to by that would be great too.
thanks

The VGA connection is an analog connection, while the DVI connection is a digital connection. The DVI connection should give you a slightly sharper display, as the video card doesn't have to convert the digital video signal to analog VGA. Many LCD panels support both VGA and DVI, in fact I don't recall seeing any that ONLY support DVI. So, I would look for a display that supports both, as opposed to VGA only.
If I were looking for a display now, I'd consider a 20 inch widescreen LCD, something like the Dell 2007WFP (around $425 when on sale). However, in the 17" and 19" range, as you've probably seen, there are numerous choices. While CRTs are in some cases cheaper than an LCD screen, they may not support a DVI connection, and an LCD takes up less real estate on the desk.

Similar Messages

  • Using external Display via Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter does'nt work

    Hey Guys,
    i recently bought a mini-dvi-to-vga adapter.
    When I plug it into my macbook and connect it to my 19" external TFT, the MB recognizes the TFT as [Medion] MD30219PH but the display stays blank (no matter if i choose mirroring mode or extended desktop)...
    Already changed the Hz-Rate between 59.9, 60 and 75 Hertz and the Resolution also... but nothing happens.
    In extended Desktop mode i can even slide the cursor into the area where the display is supposed to be...
    Hope u can help me
    thx

    From what I've been told, using the computer's video output isn't outputting a true NTSC picture. I was told when talking about how the Macbook Pros dropped the S-vdieo port that I shouldn't use that anyways, but rather to go the firewire route. THat was actually converts the video source to true NTSC instead of taking a computer output to a TV. While I have no doubt that it works, I'm willing to bet that you'll see a noticeable difference between the G5 S-video and your MB using firewire. Most consumer camcorders from the past several years do digital (firewire) to analogue (NTSC) conversion, so you probably don't even need a new box.
    -Brian

  • G550 External Display VGA to TV HDMI?

    My G550 only has a VGA out and no HDMI out.
    I want to play a movie on my laptop and be able to watch this on my TV.
    I have bought a VGA to HDMI cable but cant seem to get it to work.
    I set the TV to HDMI and press Fn + F3 to try and play via external monitor but it flickers briefly a fraction of  a second and does nothing.
    I have XP installed and Im using the graphics driver (IN2VDO09WW1.exe) installed from Lenovo support driver page.
    My Display properties page under settings tab displays "Plug and Play Monitor Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family"
    Have I the correct drivers installed to get this to work and can I play direct from laptop to TV via a VGA to HDMI cable only???

    Hi Guys
    Imsure there must be someonewho can tell me if this can be done or ifImwasting my time trying to go directly from VGA to HDMI via cable only??

  • Screensaver kicking in too early with external display (VGA)

    This only started happening last night, and I've used it with the tv a few times and not had this.
    I connect it using the VGA connector...and I had it plugged into the power, yet the screensaver would come on every 15 minutes, which is what the battery power settings were. So I changed the battery power screen saver settings to 1 hour, and it still happened. The whole time Im still plugged in to the power!
    Anyone have any ideas why!?
    I'll see if it happens again tonight, and whether it happens without the tv plugged in (too tired to test it at 1am this morning!)

    I checked the forum and see this:
    VGA output noise
    https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-and-newer-T-series/VGA-output-noise/m-p/1596622#M98647
    I think what I saw is the exact same problem mentioned in this thread. But how should I fix it?
    Thanks.

  • HT3382 27" imac to external display vga or hdmi not detecting

    I have a mid 2010 27" imac, with i3 processor, 16 GB ram, 1 TB hdd. Have both a mini dp to vga and mini dp to hdmi adapters. samsung 23" monitor with both hdmi and vga inputs. hdmi adapter never worked, the vga adapter works in a highly intermittant fashion. Did a fresh install of mountain lion, no difference. Very frustrating. Have also reset pram and smc. Anyone have any thoughts?

    I have a mid 2010 27" imac, with i3 processor, 16 GB ram, 1 TB hdd. Have both a mini dp to vga and mini dp to hdmi adapters. samsung 23" monitor with both hdmi and vga inputs. hdmi adapter never worked, the vga adapter works in a highly intermittant fashion. Did a fresh install of mountain lion, no difference. Very frustrating. Have also reset pram and smc. Anyone have any thoughts?

  • External display no longer working - stuck at blue screen

    Hi everyone. I just don't know what in the bloody **** happened here.
    Everything was working fine, I even had my macbook 13 upgraded to 10.5.6 and it always worked fine with my external DELL 2007WFP screen thru DVI cable and miniDVI adapter.
    Suddenly when I got home today and plugged the miniDVI adapter, I saw the screen blinking forever at the blue screen that usually fades out to both screens with extended desktop turned on.
    If I unplug the miniDVI adapter, everything gets back to normal on the macbook screen. I plug it again, I get the blinking blue screen.
    Tried rebooting, unplugging everything else from the external screen, no luck.
    If I boot the macbook with the external screen on and the macbook closed, then it is recognized fine and I can use it, but when I want to use both screens, it will blink again.
    I need to use both screens as that's how I arranged my workspace.
    Again, everything was working fine yesterday.
    Thanks

    Did you ever figure out what was doing this, and more importantly, did you get it fixed? I have the same thing happening to my macbook 13. It has worked fine in the past with external displays, both mini-DVI to DVI and mini-DVI to VGA, and many types of monitors/projectors. All of a sudden last week, i try to connect to my external monitor and I get the flashing blue - dark blue - light blue - repeat...
    I tried the command-f1 trick to switch displays, and it sits there for a second, my desktop will flash onto the external monitor for a second, and then it'll give up and go back to the repeating blues.
    I ran the hardware test, both the short and the long, to no avail.
    I tried with the lid closed and an external mouse and keyboard. I tried this both from the startup and from when the laptop was already on.
    Any ideas? Time to go to the genius bar?

  • Leopard dock and external display

    recently, i've switched the dock position from bottom to left and i now find that the dock gets positioned to the left edge of the external display when the DVI-VGA adaptor is plugged in and the external display is not mirroring the built-in display. i think that if i could "move" the external to be attached to the right side of the internal, that the dock would stay on the internal, but i haven't found an option to change the position of the external display.
    have you experienced this? any solutions? thanks.

    Hello Dan,
    Welcome to Apple discussions. It's been a little while since I ran with dual monitors, but is it not achieved by dragging the graphical representation of the monitors around in the Monitors pane of system preferences?
    I'm sure you would have checked there already, apologies if so - if not, you can do other changes there like setting the default primary display (the one that shows the menu bar) by dragging the menu bar graphic between screens.
    Stephen.

  • Macbook Pro Retina External Display Audio

    I am looking to get a Macbook Pro Retina 13" and I want to connect an external monitor to use as my primary display when at my desk.  How would I get audio to work when my Macbook is closed and I am just using the external display.  (Using DVI-D cable)

    I have a new rMBP 15 and I am having a major problem with hooking up to external projection systems. Otherwise, it's a fantastic computer for running Windows (required for work) and Mac, my preference.
    I have to often hook up to an external projector at various companies for presentations and I never know which type of projector they will have. Most are VGA and and most do not work with the Apple TB-VGA because it sees them as 640x480. I finally found a solution with an "active" VGA adaptor from Cirago:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AT2KTK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&p sc=1
    However, now that I have higher resolution the image is blurry much like the OP but even worse and not usable. I am going to experiment with various settings I have found on other posts and forums, but most are specific to a fixed setup, whereas I need plug&play and don't have the time to fiddle with settings before each presentation.
    My fear is that I may have to abandon the rMBP and revert to my old clunker DELL, due only to this one major issue issue.

  • Connecting MacBook Pro to external display

    Hi,
    I have an external display which has dvi & displayport outputs. I currently connect it to my desktop using the displayport however my MacBook Pro (late 13) only has the thunderbolt / mini displayport & HDMI. Bearing in mind that my monitor is 2560 x 1440, what would be the best way to connect my MacBook to it?
    Thanks in advance,
      -James

    It sounds like you're already using the best way. The Thunderbolt port is also a Mini DisplayPort, so you're connecting it DisplayPort to DisplayPort. The reason that is the best way is most other cables, including HDMI in my experience, will not reach the 2560x1440 resolution. (HDMI will probably drive that monitor at 1080p, or only 1920x1080.)
    If DVI were to be used, it would have to be the expensive Dual-Link DVI because regular old Single Link DVI isn't capable of 2560x1440. It's a good thing the MacBook has Mini DisplayPort on it instead of DVI (like the older Apple laptops did) because DisplayPort cables are far cheaper than Dual-Link DVI adapters.
    You can't do better than the connection you're already using.

  • Setting up 2 External Displays

    Hello.
    I have 2 24 inch external displays both with DVi connections. I have an early MacBook Pro from August 2007. There's only one DVi output on the MacBook.
    What do I need to allow me to use these external displays with the MacBook Pro. I would like the setup to be the MacBook Pro in the middle of the 2 monitors.
    Is there a tutorial? What extra hardware will I need to buy?
    Is it even possible?

    In order to add a 2nd ext. display you'll need something like this: http://nexus404.com/Blog/2008/06/04/kensington-usb-dual-monitor-adapter-dvi-usb- monitor-adapter-up-to-six-screens-on-offer-via-usb-connections/
    I'm using that mentioned Kensington adapter myself - works just fine.

  • How do I set MacBook to an external display when the plug and play doesn't recognize it?  I am trying to set my Samsung 530 LCD as a monitor but HDMI and VGA cords (and the adaptor for them) doesn't seem to work.

    I have tried everything I can find on line but they all claim that the plug and play works, and they don't for me.  I tried the mini dvi to HDMI and a HDMI cord and that was not recognized no matter which unit I rebooted first.  I found someone who said that my Macbook might be too old for the HDMI technology so I returned the cords and went to the VGA cord and adaptor.
    I tried this first with the HDMI setup:
    http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber/popup/iframe/pop_troubleshooting_fr.jsp?idx= 167919&modelname=LN40C650L1F&modelcode=&session_id=NDhJrD0DQT0Z8KRsm62yhxJxqnyPy SKhlhpB8vQ6h9Q7R2BZJGzj!-1089109758!1761676444!7501!-1!434477884!1761676348!7501 !-1!1292098185857
    Then I tried this with the VGA setup:
    http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber/popup/iframe/pop_troubleshooting_fr.jsp?idx= 167901&modelname=LN40C650L1F&modelcode=&session_id=NDhJrD0DQT0Z8KRsm62yhxJxqnyPy SKhlhpB8vQ6h9Q7R2BZJGzj!-1089109758!1761676444!7501!-1!434477884!1761676348!7501 !-1!1292098185857
    I contacted Samsung support and they said I needed to set the display settings to external display on the mac.  I went to the display settings and moved the icon to my status bar.  When I click on search for displays or whatever it says (I'm not at my Mac right now) it does nothing.
    What am I missing?

    I am using MAC OSx 10.5.8 (9L31a) as my operation system.  The TV says "No signal.  Check connected device's power, cable connection and source selection."  Seems to me that that goes in hand with what the Samsung tech said about the Mac needing to be forces to use the external display.  But how do I do that?

  • Intel iMac won't recognize external display with Dynex mini-DVI adapter

    I've got an original Intel iMac with a Mini-DVI connection on the back. I'm attempting to hook it up to an external display (a plasma screen, in fact). I picked up a Dynex Mini DVI to Video Adapter DX-AP100 for Apple. This connector has a mini-DVI connector on one end, and both a video-out and an S-video-out on the other.
    When attempting to use the adapter, the iMac does not recognize that there is an external display connected. Here are the facts:
    The external display: I've tried this with a Panasonic Plasma screen connected directly through S-video, as well as a Pioneer receiver (one that switches video) connected both through s-video and composite video. And yes, I've got the settings on the TV correct. I've also tried this with a Polaroid LCD TV connected via S-video and composite video.
    I did notice that when I click "Detect Displays" while the Plasma was connected, the plasma briefly "flashed", implying SOMETHING was happening, but still no dice.
    Anyone have any experience with this Dynex DX-AP100 that could share some wisdom?
    OS: v10.5.6
    System Profiler:
    ATI Radeon X1600:
    Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1600
    Type: Display
    Bus: PCIe
    PCIe Lane Width: x16
    VRAM (Total): 128 MB
    Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
    Device ID: 0x71c5
    Revision ID: 0x0000
    EFI Driver Version: 01.00.068
    Displays:
    iMac:
    Resolution: 1440 x 900
    Depth: 32-bit Color
    Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
    Main Display: Yes
    Mirror: Off
    Online: Yes
    Quartz Extreme: Supported
    Built-In: Yes
    Display Connector:
    Status: No display connected

    Yeah, I realize S-video is limiting, but I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible. The TV is mounted to the wall and there are not currently any DVI or HDMI cables coming out of it. There's an S-video input from my receiver that I'd prefer to use since it's readily accessible already. In the end my goal is to use Netflix "Watch Now" on the TV, so I'm not too worried about video quality.
    and before someone asks if I considered that the receiver's S-video input might be the problem...I tried taking the s-video wire from the stereo and plugging it directly into the adapter. No dice.
    ONE ADDITIONAL PIECE of information...while trying to get this to work on an LCD monitor, I plugged the composite video connection from the TV into the adapter. Suddenly the Mac recognized an additional monitor, but it saw it as a VGA monitor, not as s-video or composite video, and no signal went to the TV.
    I'm considering trading in this adapter for a mini-DVI to VGA adapter, but that really won't help me with the connection to the TV.

  • MBPro won't detect external display on DVI

    Hi Folks,
    I have a strange problem that gives me quite some headache:
    Is use a MacBook Pro 3,1 2.2 Ghz, 4GB RAM, 128MB NVidia something together with a Samsung SyncMaster 215TW.
    For the past year I was using my external screen without any trouble, connecting it via DVI to the mac. Every night I turn down the lid putting the notebook in sleep mode and switch off the monitor. Exactly as I did yesterday. But this morning however the external display didn't wake up as usual it did just nothing - was not even detected via the detect display function. And this is still the case right now.
    So when I plug (or unplug) the DVI to the external something is still going on. I get the blue screen (don't get that wrong that used to appear just before it would expand the desktop to the external screen, but then it switches back as if there would be nothing connected.
    No relevant entries in any logfile. System Profiler shows "Status: No display connected". The display itself says some no connection message if unplugged and - get this - falls to sleep mode right after I plugin the dvi connector to the mac.
    I tried all this:
    -reboot (with display connected & without display connected and all other imaginable combinations) - no positive result
    -the display via DVI-VGA adapter works (but the image is not as nice unfortunately)
    -reset PRAM (boot with optioncommand+PR)
    -reset the entire thing (no power, no battery and hold the powerkey for 10 secs.) nothing
    -connect some other external display to the mac via DVI - works perfectly
    -connect the display via DVI to an other macbook pro computer - works perfectly too
    -hard reset the display via the (red) support menu - no result
    -an other DVI cable - no result
    -booted from the leopard install cd - same thing
    -booted from an other harddisk with 10.4.10 (removing the internal disk)- same strange behaviour with the old system
    -booted ubuntu linux 8.04 - even here the same problem X doesn't recognize the external display if it is attached to the DVI port also no entries to the logs here.
    -SwitchResX and tried to reset the display setting from there (vendor id 4c2d & product id 213 & 214) but still no success.
    - called the apple support and my distributer of trust - no ideas but could be a hardware fault (mmh ok... but why do all other display I tried work perfectly with that beast of macbook pro but not any SyncMaster 215TW?!? that worked great for the whole last year)
    I guess the macbook had a very bad dream that very last night about mac eating foo-bars that crawl through DVI cables from any 215TW display.
    As for now I have a date with the local apple service partner -- in three weeks (it's holiday time in g.o. germany). Don't know what to tell him: Probably I'll need to go there with the screen to show them the entire scenario. Hopefully they (still) think it's a problem with faulty apple hardware (or system software) and replace the logic board.
    But I'm still in hope! Is there anybody out there having an idea with what I could try next to bring back the love between my macbook and the lovely 215TW display?
    greetings,
    brutus banane

    I have recently bough a new Macbook Pro 15.4", it worked first time with a Samsung Syncmaster 2493HM but after a few days the 'detect display' utility ceased to connect, then a short while after on start up I was getting a blank screen with a flashing folder with '?' on it, preventing me from booting up successfully.
    I tried the reset p-ram, didn't work then I tried an archive install of OSX and that ironed out all the creases - for a day, there has been no flashing folders on start up but the Samsung has failed to be detected and this morning wouldn't work no matter how many restarts or cable disconnecting attempts.
    So I called Apple helpline, told the guy what had happened, he mentioned to try the install discs again with the display connected to see of the MBP sent a signal to it, after choosing the language in the OSX installer, the display was once again recognized! I didn't have to proceed any further with the install discs so quit, reset and ejected the install discs and all seems well again.
    For how long i wonder?
    I have no idea of this will work for anyone else but it works for me at the moment.
    Interested to see when and how this finally gets solved!
    T.
    Message was edited by: Tyke Tyler
    Message was edited by: Tyke Tyler

  • External display won't work over DVI

    I've got an ViewSonic vx2025wm hooked up to my MacBook Pro. It used to work fine over DVI, but some time ago the monitor stopped being able to detect the signal and I had to switch over to VGA (via my Apple DVI-to-VGA adapter). That works fine at the full resolution of the external display, but the image quality leaves something to be desired.
    Strangely, the external display works just fine in Windows XP via Boot Camp. Oh, the irony!
    Any ideas on how to get this working again? I dread the OS X re-install.

    Same problem here. Had a Dell 30" monitor plugged in for a long time. Suddenly stopped working yesterday. The symptoms: the Mac detects the external display and "thinks" it's got it there (I can tell because the active content of the window is gone on the laptop's screen), but the display does not successfully see the output from the Mac (it shines its orange "no signal" light).
    Restarting does not seem to help.
    I should test it with a new display cable, but am a little reluctant to do this, as the dual link DVI cables required for this monitor are so expensive, and because previous posters on this topic have tried swapping cables with no result.

  • After Lion Upgrade, External Display ( DVI ) Not detecting Monitor.

    This problem is on my Macbook Pro 17" 2006 (ish) intel core 2 duo.
    I have allways used the display port with a DVI cable connected to a DVI port on an external monitor to extend my desktop.
    For some reason after upgrading to Lion, I can't detect the external display.  If I use an adapter ( Display connector to VGA ) and connect into the VGA input on the monitor, all works fine. 
    I did connect to the DVI port and left it connected for about an hour, then clicked the " Detect Displays " button, and it worked once. But after this it hasn't worked again.
    I have changed the cable, and even the monitor, but it just won't detect..
    Any Ideas ??
    Dan

    After ugrading to LION i can't use an external monitor or TV-screen.
    Just purchased a Mini Displayport to HDMI adapter to connect my 13" macbook to an HDTV. I plugged the mini display to hdmi adapter into my macbook and then connected an hdmi cable from the adapter to the tv. the macbook display briefly went blue but then display the normal screen again.
    I've search for the past few hours with no luck. I've tried to manually detect the display and nothing. I've tried 2 different TV's and both have the same result. I've tried rebooting my macbook also with no luck. Am I missing something? If I go into System Preferences > Displays there is no mirroring options or anything like that. It just shows the "Color LCD" option. Like I said, upon clicking the "Detect Display" button, nothing changes and no additional display are detected for use.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe you are looking for