VGA v. DVI for Vizio plasma (overscan issues)

Looking to use my Vizio P42HDe plasma as a second monitor for Front Row - The Vizio has 1 DVI and 1 VGA input. I'm currently using the DVI port for my Motorola DVR, so I want to use the VGA port for the imac output if possible, but I'll use DVI if I have to and run everything else on component video. Unfortunately, I need to buy a separate adapter for either solution for the miniDVI port on the imac, so I can't use trial and error.
The P42HDe is a 1024x768 widescreen display, so the native resolution is stretched horizontally. I don't mind losing some resolution to compensate (e.g., 1024x576), since this will be primarily for Front Row. However, I had some overscan issues with an older VGA powerbook (the borders would be off the screen) and could not get it to both fit the screen and give me the correct aspect ratio. I have read that if you're using DVI with Tiger, there is a checkbox for "overscan" that will fix this and allow you to set a resolution having a correct 16:9 aspect ratio.
Has anyone used their iMac Core Duo with a similar stretched pixel display with VGA and/or DVI? (I have a PBG4 and iMac Core Duo both running 10.4.6)
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

DVI it is. I got both adapters and will return the VGA adapter this week.
All of the VGA settings would either stretch the image or overscan by the width of the menubar around the entire border.
Most of the DVI settings would stretch the image, but there was one 16:9 setting (approx 854:480 if I remember right). The display was recognized as "Vizio P42HD" and none of the settings exhibited any overscan. Strange that this would be the only available setting out of nearly ten "stretched" settings (it's a 1024:768 display), but Front Row looks great, which is all I was really interested in anyway, and it works as a second monitor in a pinch as well.
I'd prefer a setting in front row to display on the secondary monitor (front row always displays on the primary monitor), but I found a reasonable workaround. With the TV on, detect displays and set the TV as the primary monitor. When the TV is off, detect displays, and the menu and dock will return to the imac screen as the only available screen. Whenever you want to use front row on the TV, just turn it on, and detect displays and the menubar will return to the TV.
I'm going to try to make an applescript or automator action so that I can do this with my universal remote from my couch - I've already "learned" the apple remote codes, so now I just need to find a program that will execute actions based on IR input.

Similar Messages

VGA to DVI to hdmi? For the new Mac Mini.

I'm dying to buy a new Mac Mini but I'm not ready to replace my monitor yet. Sadly, it's a VGA flat panel. It's connected to my current 2009 Mini by a VGA to DVI adapter. The new Mini comes with a DVI to HDMI adapter.
Can I plug my VGA to DVI adapter into the DVI to HDMI adapter and get video for my monitor? My monitor has no speakers, so audio is irrelevant. I just need video.

Unfortunately, my monitor is a VGA only flatpanel. I had to buy a $30 Thunderbolt to VGA adapter to be able to use it with my new Mini. Ah well, problem solved. I'll make sure my next monitor has either DVI or HDMI.
One thing I think Apple should seriously consider doing is STOPPING their practice of including an adapter in the box and, instead, giving a free adapter with purchase. That way, they won't be wasting resources (this is the second time I've bought a Mac with an adapter I don't need, and I guarantee there are people who will already have a compatile monitor and won't need the adapter either) and instead will better serve their customers by sending them home with a new Mac that works with the monitor they have.
The Mini is all about bring your own peripherals, right? Well, there are a lot of VGA monitors out there.

Searching for USB to VGA or DVI adapter compatible with linux

Hello everyone,
Since my HP mini is lacking a VGA connector (in fact, there's a proprietary one, but the cable for that is rare and expensive), I'm thinking of buying an USB adapter to plug a monitor. I don't care if the connector is VGA or DVi.
There're a lot of these adapters, but I'm not sure if any is compatible with Linux.
After a lot of searches, I still didn't find something useful.
Is there anyone who had experience with this kind of adapter or can point me some documentation about that ?

Just so I understand correctly... these USB to VGA/DVI adapters are video cards in their own right, yes? Something that I know works with Linux it the Villagetronic VTBook http://www.villagetronic.com/vtbook/index.html. It's a PCMCIA card (which is faster than usb 2) but you can get USB to PCMCIA adapters.

Spare DVI to VGA presentation cables for SX20

hi All,
I would like to have a spare DVI to VGA presentation cables for SX20, I managed to searched the Part number is "CAB-DVI-VGA-3.5MM - SX20 3.5mm", but I cannot confirm, because I suppose the cable should be shipped with SX20, when I created a BOM for "CTS-SX20-PHD12X-K9", I thought I was able to find it in the option list, but I am not. So I was wondering that the part number is right for SX20 or not...

As discussed previously in these forums (see this thread) - you'll find it much simpler and cheaper to buy a DVI-VGA cable and a seperate 3.5mm audio cable from your local electronics supplier. These can then be purchased in lengths that are more suitable for your purpose as well (so you don't have to worry about 6m of cable if you don't need that much, or can get longer if you need that too). YOu can then make these two cables a "single cable" using cable ties, or snakeskin wrapping them together (or any other way you deem appropriate).
Wayne
Please remember to rate responses and to mark your question as answered if appropriate.

VGA or DVI to component

Has anyone actully tried one of these VGA (or DVI) to component converter boxes? How well do they work? Do you get much overscan or does the box compensate for that? I've seen here people talking about the converter boxes but I haven't seen someone say I have one.

i cant find a cable or convertor that does this at a reasonable cost.. keep me posted if you do!

Yoga 13 HDMI connection to VGA or DVI cable

Hi, does anyone know what kind of cable can support connecting the Ideapad Yoga 13's HDMI port to an external monitor with either a VGA or DVI connection? Maybe provide a link to Amazon to a page with a cable that supports this? Does it need anything more than the cable itself like a converter or something? Thanks.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

hi ScoobyDoo,
Welcome to Lenovo Forums!
That is going to be a Digital from the yoga to an analog VGA/DVI.
this kind of conversion does not require a transcoder. so you can go ahead with Cable Coverters only.
Here are some you might want to check:
StarTech 6ft HDMI to DVI-D Video Cable M/M
HDMI to VGA Adapter
Black HDMI Input to VGA Adapter Converter For PC Laptop
You can check this out on how to switch the display.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/multiple-monitors#1TC=t1
Audio transfer will not work with this kind of conversion Normal HDMI out to HDMI in will transfer both Audio and Video to a TV.
Hope this helps,
Cheers!!
Did someone help you today? Press the star on the left to thank them with a Kudo!
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please mark it as an "Accepted Solution"! This will help the rest of the Community with similar issues identify the verified solution and benefit from it.
Follow @LenovoForums on Twitter!

TelePresence VGA to DVI cable and conduit

We have a new CTS-1300 system with a presentation cable which has a VGA connector on the user side and a DVI connector on the codec side. Currently the room has a 1 1/2 inch conduit installed under the floor between the conference table and codec. The VGA to DVI cable that comes with the TelePresence system will not fit through the conduit so I would like to purchase a cable that has no end on it and pull it through the conduit then install the VGA connector. Tripp Lite makes a cable similar to what we need called the Easy Pull but the cable ends are either both VGA or both DVI. We might be able to find an adapter for one of the ends but that just adds another point of possible failure. Has anyone found a company where they sell a cable similar to the Tripp Lite Easy Pull that is factory made with a VGA on one side and DVI on the other? One other thing to consider is the Cisco cable contains "mini" style audio connectors attached to it as well where the audio appears to be directly connected to the DVI connector whereas the VGA audio looks like it is coming out of the cable bundle.
http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/product-series.cfm?txtSeriesID=126&EID=32

Thank you for the information. I no longer work at that company where the installation occurred so I can't test it. But this information will be useful for future installations if I run into the issue again.

VGA vs DVI - What's the real difference?

Hi everyone, quick question. I currently have my 19" LCD display hooked up to my MacBook via the Apple Mini-DVI to VGA adapter. Here's my question. What is the real image quality difference between VGA and DVI-D connections?
I don't watch videos or do any video editing, so if that's the difference, I don't need it.
Would I notice any additional display sharpness (especially text and pictures) by upgrading to a monitor with a DVI-D input?
Thanks!
Dave

Read the Overview from this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvi
That explain a bit of the benefit of DVI.
I also use my Samsung LCD 19" widescreen with mini DVI to VGA, and so far I'm happy with it, so if you happy with your display color, why bother to spend abnother $19.99 for new adapter.
Good Luck

Mini Display to VGA or DVI

have a late 2008 MBP with the mini display port.
I am looking into getting an adapter for it, but have heard stories about some displays and projectors not working with the adapters etc.
It'll mainly be hooked up to a samsung syncmaster T200HD TV (20") that has a whole load of ports, but the only one free is DVI. It will also be brought out to events as a backup machine, so would need to be able to be used!
Which adapter would be better to get, the VGA or DVI? I would probably need to get a second, third party adapter to go to which ever interface the apple adapter doesn't, for maximum compatibility. I can't justify €60 for two adapters....
Any ideas would be great.
Regards

Hello,
I have a weird problem with my Macbook pro 13" bought in sep 09. I have connected my Samsung HDTV 720p via mini display of Macbook pro 13 to DVI adapter n thn DVI to HDMI cable to HDMI port of TV.
When the display cable is unplugged, i am able to surf the internet and watch videos, as soon as I connect the mini display port to macbook pro, iternet freezes.
I even tried to move my macbook far away from the HDTV, but it never helped.
I noticed, macbook was connected to wifi in this situation but internet was not working, even i tried to ping my Netgear wifi router, it could not ping. and turned off the Airport and again turned it on (while the Display cable was connected to HDTV), it was not accepting password for my wifi router.
I dont know what is the problem, i tried all I knew to solve but still helpless.
Anybody please help me get this resolved.

Using 23" Cinema Display and VGA to DVI adapter??

I have 4 computers (2 deskop PCs, 1 IBM thinkpad laptop and 1 MAC). I have a DVI switcher. 3 of my PCs work great. My IBM thinkpad (T23) has an old style DVI connector on it that I cannot use (I thought I could until I got the Apple Monitor). I have tried a passive (no power) VGA to DVI adapter...but the monitor just ignores the signal. Do I need to purchase a $299 powered VGA to DVI adapter? I was thinking of looking for a PCMCIA (PC Card) video card with DVI out for my laptop, but havn't found anything when searching via google. Any information would be helpful. Thank you!
PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.5) 23" cinema display

The VGA to DVI adapter sounds like it's just an adapter that re-routes the pins to make the cables connect. The DVI connector can carry both analog and digital signals, so all the adapter would do is make a VGA cable with its analog signal go into a DVI cable that still carries the same analog signal. If that's the case, it won't work with the Apple display since the Apple display doesn't accept an analog VGA input even if you get the cables and adapters to hook it up. So yes, you would need the expensive VGA to DVI "converter" rather than just an "adapter".

Should I use a VGA or DVI connector?

I have recently bought a Samsung 22" LCD SyncMaster 2232BW to add as a second display to my macbook.
I have the choice to hook it up through the VGA or DVI connector. At present im using the apple mini DVI to VGA connector and the quality looks good. I was wondering if I were to swap it over to DVI whether or not I would see an marked improvement.
I would like to know the pro's and cons of both VGA and DVI and whether it's worth swapping my apple VGA connector for the apple mini DVI to DVI and using the DVI cables also supplied with the monitor.
Thanks for any advice you might be able to offer.
Message was edited by: Monkeypuzzle

That's why I love this Discussion Forum: most of the time this first time and somewhat always slightly intimidated Mac owner can get any question I have about my Mac answered.
I just replaced my 19 inch dead lcd with a 22-inch Westinghouse L2210NW. ok, not the most recognizable name in the industry, but specs are good, and price at Best Buy ($229.), I couldn't resist. Bought an additional 3 yr service policy(29.99) figure I'm covered for 4 years-much better than the 14 month old 1 year warranty monitor I just replaced.
wow. Out the box, couldn't be more wow'd. Colors are brilliant, size is huge! This monitor does have DVI>VGA and
I am using the Mac DVI ->VGA adapter/connector. A few reviews I have read about this monitor stated changing to DVI even more impressionable-I can't hardly imagine. SO: Please advise or confirm: I need only replace the cable/vga came with the monitor: out the box it readily plugs into the white adapter at the back of my Mac Mini. So my new DVI cable should plug directly into my Mac, not needing the converter? Can you give me a ball-park figure on what this new cable should cost. And finally, it is worth it?
thanks for any input, and as always, your time!
Sandy

Can I use the Apple VGA to DVI adapter to connect a PC to a DVI monitor?

Hi
Any idea of the Apple VGA to DVI adapter would work to connect a PC's VGA output to a DVI monitor?
Is it a simple pass through? Or are there drivers needed.

That adapter is for connecting a VGA display to a computer's DVI-I port. A DVI-I port has both digital and analog video pins. The adapter passes just the analog video to a VGA connector. It will not work in the reverse direction because a VGA computer does not provide digital video.
There are VGA to DVI converters that will connect a DVI display to a VGA computer.
<http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011401&p_id=8214&se q=1&format=2>
<http://www.aten.com/products/Professional-Audio/Video/Converters/VGA-to-DVI-Conv erter~VC160A.html>
No drivers needed.

VGA/XVGA/DVI - tech questions

This is not a question about displays as such, but their interconnection. I hope this is a suitable forum.
I want some technical info on the VGA, XVGA, DVI, RGB and the twenty or so other connectors available for displays (including TVs)
Particularly I want to know details about the VGA connector on my iBook. Is VGA a digital output? What is it's resolution? If it's not a digital interface and is simply an RGB signal, why so many (15) pins?
A friend wants me to hook my G4 to his LCD TV and compare the DVD playback from the iBook and his DVD player. His TV manual talks about using an RGB/DVI conversion cable when driving the TV from a Mac. It shows a 15 pin RGB cable (like the connector that comes with the G4), yet the DVI end of the conversion cable has 24 pins.
All very complicated. Can anyone direct me to a site that would have technical specs for VGA & DVI plugs: ie what pin is what.

"what pin is what."
I just Googled for these two links of the pinouts. I'm sure there is a lot more if you want to search.
Patrick
http://www.interfacebus.com/DesignConnector_Digital_Visual_Interface_DVIBus.html
http://www.monitorworld.com/faqpages/q17page.html
G5 DP 2GHz, 23ACD, iBook, AEBS Mac OS X (10.3.7)

Hp pavilion a6600f vga to dvi adapter problem

I have 2 LG flat screen monitors and a new HP Pavilion a6600f desktop. The VGA to DVI adapters that I've tried haven't worked. Do you know where I can get one that is the right one?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

the only thing I can think is the monitors dont support DVI-A (a for analog), and only supports DVI-D (Digital) Analog DVI uses different pins on a DVI cable.
If your monitor has a VGA input, use that its the same quality as DVI-A anyway.

Mac Mini: shall I use VGA or DVI?

I'm hopefully getting a new Mac Mini next week. My question is basically should I use DVI to VGA on my Samsung 32" LCD, or use DVI to DVI?
I can't use the HDMI port as it's being used by my Sky HD box (unless I can get a splitter??).
All advice greatly appreciated.

I would agree with Boece's thoughts. DVI is the better quality display option. Being digital it doesn't go through the process of converting the video stream to analog, only to have to convert it back to digital in the display. As a result, DVI generally gives a more crisp image quality with better color density and saturation and better contrast and brightness. However, VGA is far more universal, and while image quality is not as good in theory, often it works better in practice - particularly with TVs.
The problem with using a TV as display for a computer is that as yet it's early days for such things, and TV manufacturers are often not quite on the ball in terms of ensuring their products are entirely compatible. Thus even though yours has both DVI and VGA inputs, you might find that the output is better, or the screen more usable with VGA than DVI.
hence the advice to experiment - trying DVI first so see if you can get a good image that fills the screen. If so, stick with that. If not, go to VGA and see if that works better.

VGA v. DVI for Vizio plasma (overscan issues)

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for