DVI-D to HDMI for a HDTV as a monitor

[Kiazak]

Hello there, I've recently ordered a computer and is being built, it has the Radeon 6950 HD Graphics card and I noticed that had an HDMI and a DVI input, I went to my local Best Buys and PC World and they were utterly useless.

Its a 22" HDTV with a VGA and HDMI input in the back of the TV I'm going to use for a monitor. I've noticed I can buy a DVI-D to HDMI cable, is this the best option for highest quality if the DVI-D is in the Graphics card and the HDMI is in the TV...?

I dont mind much on the audio being carried across to the TV as I'll have my own speakers (Logitech Z323) plugged into the input on the desktop.

So does the DVI-D cut it?

 

[Gorman]

DVI to HDMI cables will carry audio too if your GPU supports it (it does as far as i know). This is the method i use to connect to my TV as a second monitor.

 

[Kiazak]

Ah so it will work, and the quality is still HD? I was told that VGA to HDMI wouldn't work as its analog to digital and I would only get the analog quality which wouldn't be HD...

I put my step-dads laptop hooked up by HDMI to HDMI last night and it was all very pixelated and the desktop icons and text was extremely small even on the largest settings. I read a few forums to change the DPI (dots per inch) but didn't want to change all his settings around. He has Windows 7 (64 bit) if that helps...

 

[Gorman]

The DVI end goes in the PC and the HDMI in the TV / monitor.

It is basically no different to a normal DVI lead barring a few twists at one end. It will output whatever resolution the TV supports, although as some other members here have found you will most likley want to mess with the TV's settings to get it exactly as you want.

• Make sure you set the right resolution, is "HD" 720, 1080i or 1080p? each is a specific resolution which will have to be set on the PC
  
• Turn off any unneeded post processing on the TV when using as a monitor, it may have some sort of "game" mode which does this for you
  
• Dont expect it to be as good quality as a dedicated monitor, its a TV

That said i always add my TV as a second monitor for blu-ray films etc and it looks great, i just wouldnt want to be reading webpages on it etc.

 

[Kiazak]

I plan to use it for gaming and browsing as well as Blu-rays and DVD's. I expect the quality to be down a little bit, its the text that really baffled me. Having it on the largest setting but it still being so small but I guess thats something to do with the DPI. That said, a DVI to HDMI lead seems the business, and can pick one up for £6! better then the £59.99 Best Buys want!

At this moment a new monitor was too much for me so maybe I'll invest into a dedicated monitor next months payday.
Thanks Gorman

 

[Gorman]

no problem, thats a nice price too.

Give it a go, it will work, you will just have to play around with it a bit to get it just right.