[Don_S]

I am trying to decide between two monitors.

HP W2207---inputs VGA and DVI-D (supports HDCP)
HP W2207h--inputs VGA and HDMI (supports HDCP)

All specs are the same except for  the inputs.  My computer tower has VGA and DVI-D outputs so that would seem like an obvious decision maker but I wonder if using a DVI-D to HDMI adapter would give better or worse video performance than DVI-D.  I am considering the future use of the monitor and it looks like the world is going HDMI--computers too?

Ignore the audio aspects.  The monitor speakers are reported to be marginal.  There is no audio out from the monitor so there is no reason to use HDMI for audio.  I have an external 2.1 speaker set that I use directly from the sound card.

Thanks for any help. 

[wilsynet]

HDMI is a repackaging of DVI with support for audio.  Encoding is the same, so a DVI to HDMI adapter is a passive component in all of this.  Can you lose quality in the passive component?  Yes, you could.  Is it something to worry about?  Likely not.

I do not believe that computers are going to HDMI.  If this really is going to be a monitor for your computer and not something that doubles as a television, then I'd stick with DVI.  It's what computers output now and it will be what computers output in the near and foreseeable future.

If you want the flexibility of using it as a television later, then sure, go with HDMI.

In either case, I don't think you can lose.

[jqp]

I hate the HDMI connector - the DVI is solid

[Don_S]

Thanks guys.  The information was extremely helpful.  I am considering the monitor for computer video use only so it seems like DVI is the best choice.

[tvyankee]

hey

just got this one for my home computer. it uses h-ips technology. very nice.

http://www.doublesight.com/product/?idx=7

[Don_S]

I ended up with the HP W2207h.  The W2207 is no longer made.  The "H" model has VGA and HDMI.  My computer has VGA and DVI.  I do not have an adapter.  Is it worth it to get an adapter or cable to use the HDMI input to the monitor?  I do not watch DVDs or game on it.  I just use it for internet. The store clerk said HDMI was only better if I used a better source such as DVDs or games, otherwise VGA was fine.

That brings up several more questions.  On Newegg I saw pages and pages of adapters and cables.  Some had the same ends (male HDMI and male DVI) but were listed differently, i.e. some were listed as DVI to HDMI and others were listed as HDMI to DVI. Link Depot brand showed cables with the same ends but different designations, like I just mentioned, and different part numbers.  Any feedback on the Link Depot brand?

Does the signal direction matter?  Or do I just have to make sure I get the correct ends?  I ask that for two reasons.  One, I want to get the right cable. Two, I am thinking of turning my old monitor (DVI-D input) into a TV by connecting it to my DVR (HDMI output).  That is the opposite direction for signal conversion.

I thought I would get one cable and try it on both my new monitor and old monitor (TV in waiting) to see if it made a difference on the new monitor and to find out if I could really make a TV out of the old one. Can I turn my old monitor into a TV by using my DVR?  I know I will not have an audio signal via the DVI-D input).

[ooheadsoo]

I thought all the new video cards had hdmi, not DVI.  You can go to monoprice.com for cables.  Signal direction does not matter, just male vs. female.

[Don_S]

I thought all the new video cards had hdmi, not DVI.  You can go to monoprice.com for cables.  Signal direction does not matter, just male vs. female.

Thanks for the info.  My Dell computer is 2.5 years old--from the era of square monitors. Should I call them "eras" when they pass so quickly?  Maybe "micro-era".

[mcullinan]

I thought all the new video cards had hdmi, not DVI.  You can go to monoprice.com for cables.  Signal direction does not matter, just male vs. female.

No they are DVI... Anything that attached to a tv would be hdmi. The XBOX 360 has HDMI out. I have the Samsung 245T which has both DVI and HDMI inputs. Perfect for computer and gaming.
Mike

[viggen]

I believe HDMI is the more future proof connection format as it supports ever higher transfer rate with each updated version; whereas, DVI's transfer rate is static.  Of course, this is depending on whether your hardware has the need for it and can support it.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I believe HDMI is the more future proof connection ......snip......depending on whether your hardware .....can support it.

Bingo. Personally, I'm burnt on HDMI. Too much HDCP in the way of actually getting the content to your display device.
My fear of HDMI is that when versions 1.4.....1.5.....1.6.....1.7 are released, that multi-thousand dollar display device you bought in 2007 won't work when you upgrade another component in 2009.
The only handshake I need is the one with the guy I bought the equipment from. I (we) certainly don't need to require our equipment to shake hands. That's just silly, and all in the name of paranoia. 
Component or DVI is just fine with me.

Sorry for the rant.
Bob

[satfrat]

Stick with the DVI-D,,, spending extra money on a HDMI connect that you don't really need is pointless. Unless you'll be using your monitor as a home theater monitor, you'll get all the clarity you'll need with DVI.

Cheers,
Robin

[Bob in St. Louis]

Hey fellas.....I'm going to move this thread to where the computer geeks hang out.
Nothing but us drunks here in the Sports Bar. 

Bob