What's Best - DVI or VGA?

Just received my new Mac Mini which I plan to connect to my plasma monitor and use as a media center.
I have the option of connecting into either my TV's DVI or VGA port - which one will give me the best picture?
Appreciate your advice so I can buy the correct cable.
Thanks!
SM

Neither is better.
Try both, see which works better with your monitor.
That does seem a strange reply. Why would you think that digital would not normally be the better option? Especially with Fortuny's explanation of the double conversion occurring?
Not to mention, it is a bit expensive to buy the VGA adapter, more so since the DVI adapter comes with the Mac mini.
Dah•veed

Similar Messages

What's a DVI-to-VGA connection have to do with sleep?

I've been experimenting with hooking my HDTV to my Mac Pro's 5870 video card. Currently I have my 27" ACD connected to one of the mini displayports (mDP) and a VGA, connected through an Apple VGA-to-mDP (active) adapter to the other mDP. When I want to use the TV I can connect the HDTV to the 5870's DVI connection with a (passive) HDMI-to-DVI adapter. It works. Indeed it works too well! Whether the TV is taking input from the computer or not the computer thinks the TV is a third monitor which can get very confusing when the mouse is accidentally moved off my ACD on to the TV (6 feet away) and I can't find the cursor. Another minor nit is that using the DVI means no audio can be passed on the HDMI so the computer speakers are used unless of course I hook up a separate audio connection.
I could get around the 3-monitor problem using SwitchResX but I prefer not to. I'm willing to simply manually connect and disconnect the HDMI cable on those few times I want stream stuff to the TV. But as an alternative I tried switching the TV and VGA connections, i.e., connect the TV to the mDP through a (passive) mDP-to-HDMI adapter and the VGA through a (passive) VGA-to-DVI adapter.
This second scheme also works. However because all the adapters are now passive the VGA will disconnect when the HDMI is plugged in. Ok. I can live with that and I understand the behavior due to the 3-monitor limitations of the 5xxx cards (i.e., active adapters required).
All the above was just background and context leading to the question I entitled this post with. Forget the HDMI connection. I have the ACD connected to its mDP and the VGA through the passive VGA-to-DVI adapter (i.e., the second scheme I described above). With this configuration my machine will not sleep on its own (i.e., at the time the energy saver specifies). I can "manually" put it to sleep ("Sleep" from the Apple menu). It just won't do it on its own (and none of the checkboxes in energy saver are checked -- wake for network for example -- and no active processes are running that would explain this behavior either).
Experimentation has shown that it is somehow related to using the VGA through the DVI. If I put my original configuration back (VGA-to-mDP) the machine will sleep on its own at the designated energy saver preference time.
What I don't understand is what's a DVI connection have to do with the energy saver sleep setting? The only remote possibility I can think of is perhaps the screen saver is running on both the VGA and ACD and an active VGA is sufficient to make the machine think there's activity when connected through the DVI (but not when connected through the mDP).
Of course none of this is really a serious problem. I'm only asking for academic interest.

I know I can do that but that's not the subject of this thread! I'm only asking why would a VGA connection to DVI keeps the computer from sleeping on its own.
And, oh, by the way, another audio alternative is something like this,
http://www.gefen.com/gefentv/gtvproduct.jsp?prod_id=5279
although this requires stringing a separate audio cable.

What is the correct cable for iMac 11,2 Intel core i3, mini dvi to vga or mini display port to vga?

What is the correct cable for iMac 11,2 Intel core i3, mini DVI to VGA or mini display port to VGA to hook up to projector? Thanks!

mini-DisplayPort.
Regards.

What are best output options in DVDSP for playback on VGA Computer Screen?

I understand that DVDs were designed to be viewed on TV sets - not computer monitors with much higher resolution than a TV set.
However .... I'm curious what the best output options are within DVDSP3 for playback on a standard 19" VGA computer screen 1024x768 and not necessarily on a TV screen. Any ideas?
Will DVDSP3 address playback on a standard VGA computer screen any better than iDVD6? .... or are they both very much the same?
Here's my objective:
MiniDV>FCP HD >DVD SP3>DVD-R / Playback on VGA 19" Monitor only (no TV involved).
or...
MiniDV>iMovie6>iDVD6>DVD-R / Playback on VGA 19" Monitor only.
TIA
SDMacuser

George - I'm not a web designer, so I'm probably not the best person to respond but here goes anyway (FWIW):
(anywhere from 10sec to 2min) for website visitors to play (but not download). There can be multiple audios per web page.
No problem. QuickTime. X-platform and you can set whether it's downloadable or not - but that's really moot, as anything on the web can be captured, especially with the 'analog loophole' such as WireTap or Audio Hi Jack.
I need a combination of buttons from very simple round (or square 20x20 pix) to a bar style with volume control, both with the option to change the color to fit my site.
Buttons are your business - nothing to do with playback functionality. They are usually just a link to a file - your site should be set up to play anything, by anything, that's clicked on… Flash, QT whatever
a player that runs from my site and not somebody else's.
So you're hosting? I'd hate to go down that path… what if your site takes off? What if it goes down?You'd never handle the bandwidth. IMO better to buy inexpensive (but competent) hosting for $10 or so per month and avoid the headaches, and expand the hosting service as and when required.
See here for example:
http://soundpropaganda.com/blog/loudness.html
I have QT files, not downloadable (well, supposedly) from text links (check the green "Here's" links). The link method (graphic, text, whatever) is your design, not part of the playback system.

What is the correct part number for dvi to vga adapter for macbook pro model A1260

Can someone tell me the Apple part number for the DVI to VGA adapter that came with a Macbook Pro model A1260? (Early 2008)
My adapter has reached the end of useful life.
Thanks!

You have a MacBook Pro 15" Early 2009 (MacBook Pro 4,1)
The Mac's port is a Dual-link DVI (VGA, Composite and S-video with adapter)
The DVI connector connects to the Dual link-DVI port,thus you need a DVI to VGA adapter.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Micro%20Accessories/DVIVGA/
You also can search the Apple store online for the part, but it's so basic and simple that paying more for Apple's version is just for looks.

What dvi to vga connector do I need for a MacBook Pro A1286?

I bought a mini DVI to VGA for my 15 inch MacbookPro (Model 1286) but the mini-DVI connector is too big. I need a connector HALF that size. Is there one I can use, find, purchase?

From the Apple Store: Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

What is a 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 705 [DVI, HDMI, DVI to VGA Dongle

Hi. I am considering buy a HP computer. I would like to purchase a graphics card with the computer, but is a 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 705 [DVI, HDMI, DVI to VGA Dongle a video card that you can install internally? I have another question--does the HP Pavilion 500-200t have a extra bay to install a secondary hdd? Any help will be appreciated. mary

Hi,
This is a CTO machine, you have few choices for a video card:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03983802
Must select one of the following options:
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2) (supported by the processor)
GeForce GT 625 (1 GB)
Radeon HD 8470 (1 GB)
Radeon R5 235 (1 GB)
Radeon R7 240 (2 GB)
And no, it only has ONE HDD bay you can remove ODD and put one moe HDD if you wish.
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Mini- DVI to VGA adapter Or is that, DVI to DVI?

I am having difficulty figuring out which adapter to purchase if I want to use my MacBook to make a Keynote or PowerPoint Presentation with an LCD projector.
Do I need the Mini- DVI to VGA adapter, or is it DVI to Video adapter, or DVI to DVI adapter? Good grief! I've made fabulous-looking slides and just want to take my computer to the lecture hall, connect it to their projector, and give my talk. How does one decide which cable to get, if I don't know for certain what kind of projector they are using?
Aren't all LCD projectors standardized this way?
Thanks for the clarification.
~ john

As mentioned, VGA is much more common than DVI is on projectors, so the mini-DVI to VGA will certainly work more often than the mini-DVI to DVI will.
It costs $19USD, so I would get both and use the best option available to you when you get to the location and see what kind of projector they have.
You also may want to pack the VGA and a DVI cable just in case. You never know if the location will have one on hand, or if it gets misplaced just in time for your arrival.

Help w/ DVI to VGA

I bought a Mini DVI to VGA adapter so I can connect my MacBook to my old LCD screen when I am at home. Im not much of a dork when it comes to working with these kinds of things, so I dont really know what the best configuration for the settings. This is what I have so far:
Whats the best settings to put? Plus it isnt a wide screen so yeah... This actually the screen lol:
So yeah,
*What is the best setting to put without making it all pixalated etc...?
*And how do I make the MacBooks's screen turn off and just the other screen on?
Thanks!
Message was edited by: ctarampi

I would have it on the max resolution possible, so 1280x1024
To make the Mac's screen turn off and just have yours on you need an external keyboard and mouse. Connect the display, KB and mouse, close the macbook so it goes to sleep (the external monitor will also go to sleep.) then press a button on your external KB, a letter or anything, and your external screen should awaken as the primary monitor.
Hope that works.
Regards
Rowan
(P.s. that picture is very very very large, about 1/2 or 1/3 the size would be sufficient.)

DVI or VGA to view 'Front Row' on LCD Screen?

I just purchased MacBook and i would like to view iTunes movies or pictures through my TV (its LCD screen). Im not sure which connection would be the best S-video, DVI or VGA? If somebody have any experience with it I would really apprecite the help.

It all depends on your TV. You can only use what your TV allows. If it has DVI, that would be better than VGA. Stay away from S-Video if you can. It's video quality is pretty bad.

Mini DVI to VGA Adapter Issues

Hey guys,
My first ever post to the forums. I just recently bought my very first apple computer. It is a 2.4 ghz Macbook 13" and bought a Mini DVI to VGA Adapter so that I can connect it to my 46" Sharp AQUOS TV. I connect my laptop with the dvi to vga adapter plus another vga cable of course and all I get on the screen is my wallpaper but I can't see any of the icons on my tv screen, nothing.
Can anyone help me on this? Does this sound like a familiar problem?
I would appreciate your help.
Thanks in advance,
Dogan

Hi DoDolom,
First, welcome to Macintosh!
Secondly, it sounds to me like what's happened is that OS X has extended your desktop onto a second monitor. Plug in an external mouse and keyboard and then close the MacBook's lid. It will go to sleep. Use the external mouse/keyboard to wake it up and you should be running on just the external display.

Mini dvi to vga adapter doesn't fit Mac Book port

I bought a "mini dvi to vga" adapter at the local Apple store at the mall and it does not fit the mini DVI connection on my Mac Book. What is the correct mini dvi configuration or part number for the Mac Book Mini dvi port?

It may be. I threw the bag out so I can't check. I was in a hurry and thought I picked up the right adapter but guess not.
Thanks for your help. Know anyone that needs a mini vga to vga adapter?

Mini DVI to VGA Adapter w/ extension cable

I would like to get a Mini DVI to VGA Adapter for my macbook. Does anyone know how it would would if I used it with a VGA extension cable. Any experience will be helpful

Depends on how long the cable is, and if it was of sufficient quality for computer use. The higher resolutions require better quality and shorter cables. You may get some signal loss for long cables. A standard monitor cable that comes with a computer monitor should be fine, but what kind of length extension cable are you talking about?

Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Problems in Boot Camp / Windows

I currently run Windows XP SP2 on my MacBook and recently purchased the Mini-DVI to VGA adapter so I could hook up the MacBook to an external projector, monitor, or TV to display what's on my Windows screen on the external device. However, when I connect it to any external device, it just goes nuts and sporadically continues to make the hardware connect and hardware disconnect sounds and doesn't allow for external output of the screen. Any suggestions...? Thanks!
Marc

I think I solved this problem.
It was in issue for me. My second monitor would only display the Windows XP screen when it was loading, then it would black out. I couldn't even move my mouse arrow to the other side. Then I fixed it, here's how (running Windows XP SP3):
1. Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes
2. Display
3. Go to tab "settings"
4. Double click the blue image with the "2" inside it. This is the second monitor, adjacent to your first, or primary, monitor. The blue box may be a desaturated, greyish blue, meaning that the monitor is disabled. Click it and it a box will pop up asking if you want to enable the monitor. Click OK, and then like magic, your monitor is resurected in it's Windows Glory! From there, adjust the resolution, and it should work perfectly.
This isn't a Boot Camp compatability issue, it's just a problem with the lack of familiarity that users of OS X have with using XP.
Have a nice day!
Message was edited by: BlakeTron
Message was edited by: BlakeTron

Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Resolution?

If I hook my macbook to my hdtv using the Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter what's the highest resolution I'll achieve? Will it be the max resolution of the TV or the Macbook?

Hey,
These are the specs that Apple provides for the GMA 950.
"Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors."
Tom

What's Best - DVI or VGA?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for