I'm just trying to give him all the information. Best image quality is DVI to HDMI direct connection. The cable is $16 at Wal-Mart and no adaptor is required.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3395754


I have a 20.1" Dell Ultrasharp Widescreen with both DVI and VGA signal capability. While playing with the picture-by-picture function, I had both the VGA and DVI connections attached. I could easily tell the difference between DVI and VGA, but to each his own I guess!

As a side note, don't buy a Dell widescreen monitor for PBP'ing two computers, you'll be disappointed!

Grim

 

LAME-O ...I just looked in the bag and all I have is the remote and the wire for the remote sensor. Once I get things back in order here, I guess I'll get that DVI-HDMI hookup and go that route.



BREW

 

You can also use a digital scaler.

NOTE: This is not a $40 solution, but will provide you with the best immage your monitor can display.

You can connect 3 other standard definition devices (vcr, video camera...) and have them scaled up to and including 1080p.

http://www.extron.com/product/produc...304&search=dvs

 

It's gettin there. I'll have the room painted tonight and hope to move everything back in tomorrow.

I hung the TV the other day just to see what it looks like.....SWEEEET!!!!
But I had to take it down to paint

BREW

 

That's a DVI-only cable. I think you mean something like this, that starts at $37 for a 3' and goes up quickly...

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/D...tml#hdmidvi-r2

Or an adapter much like the DVI to VGA, you can pick this up at Radio Shack: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2421196 (of course you still need an HDMI cable...)

My biggest concern with doing this is the length of the cable. With DVI or HDMI connectors, engineering and cable theory suggests that running lengths greater than 3 meters (about 10 feet) risks digital drop-outs and resulting pixelization. Just a thought. Digital is not always better people! This is why component imputs will never go away for real home theatre... you just can't run those fancy digital signals to distance needed!

 

You're right, good catch.

Here's a Phillips DVI-HDMI cable available at Sam's for less than $20. I'm currently using Phillips-branded HDMI, Component Cables, and Fiber optic cables. I'm really happy with the quality of the cable.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=5&item=198467

Anyway, I think I have a DVI-HDMI cable at home that the DirecTV guy left at my house. If I do, you can have it for the cost of shipping.

Grim

 

Cool, lemme know if you have it.



BREW

 

No they aren't, lol. $5.74 for a HDMI DVI Cable 28AWG - 10ft w/Ferrite Cores (Gold-Plated) http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...ormat=2&style=

Don't forget when you hookup a fixed pixel display such as a LCD or Plasma HDTV, to get the best picture quality you want to set it up for 1:1 pixel mapping. So if the displays native resolution is say, 1024x768 as most plasma's are, make sure to set your desktop at that resolution. If your display has a oddball resolution, you will sometimes have to make a custom resolution in your display drivers control panel. If you don't run a fixed pixel display at it's native resolution the display will scale the picture and that will degrade the picture quality (text will become blurred instead of perfectly clear for example)

Setting up a PC for DVD watching can actually yield better results then a stand alone DVD player if the proper setup procedures are taken. I couldn't stress enough to people that want to learn and ask questions about anything to do with home theater to give the AVS forums a look. There's even a dedicated home theater PC section that will help you setup your PC to perform movie watching better then even a stand alone DVD player: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forum...ysprune=7&f=26

 

Yeah, same thing I posted above... I don't know why people are still talking about $20 and $40 wal-mart cables. These monoprice cables are the real deal. Look at the reviews, there are tests showing them compared to the monster cables.

 

I just use the Wal-Mart/Sam's club cable as examples of cheap cables that are available anywhere, immediately. I absolutely agree there are cheaper cables out there that will perform just as well.

Grim

 

Brew,

I have one. It looks like it is about 4' long. PM me your address and I'll mail it to you. You can pay me back the shipping when you get it.

Grim

 

Damn...to short.

Thanks for the offer Grim, but unfortuantley it wont reach. Guess I'll hit one of the websites or stores recommended.


BREW

 

I've got a 10-foot. I had it for hooking up my cable box which had DVI but now my satellite box has HDMI, so no need for the cable.

If it'll work for you, let me know. I could send it tomorrow. Probably take it 3 days to get there priority and would cost like $4 or $5 to ship it.

 

Just sent you a PM



BREW

 

I was thinking about using my 62" wide screen for a second monitor, but my kids vetoed it in favor of Dora