8204 DVI PORT? How can I use it?

Hi I wanted to plug my 8204 to HDTV when I watch movies and stuff and I was going to use traditional S-video cable, but I realized that I have DVI port and DVI port is supposed to be better

DVI-D - True Digital Video
DVI-D format is used for direct digital connections between source video (namely, video cards) and digital LCD (or rare CRD) monitors. This provides a faster, higher-quality image than with analog, due to the nature of the digital format. All video cards initially produce a digital video signal, which is converted into analog at the VGA output. The analog signal travels to the monitor and is re-converted back into a digital signal. DVI-D eliminates the analog conversion process and improves the connection between source and display.
( http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/0A13FE4636976C6CCA256C030044612F)

It looks like I have DVI-D dual port according to the following diagram.


so I was wondering how I could use this and what I need to buy, please provide me with any information and suggestions. Thank you.

 

All you need is a DVI cable. One end goes in your laptop and the other goes in your TV... it functions like a higher-quality VGA cable, essentially.

 

a DVI-D single link cable of course...

(which is most DVI cables but there are others)

 

Read the owners manual for your HDTV - although it may have a DVI port, you'll normally find that it's not designed for PC type DVI signals. In fact your manual probably explicitly states that you should only ever connect a PC to your TV using the analogue VGA connector or S-VHS.

Don't ask me why, but there seems to be differences in the DVI signal format used by PC's and those implemented in HDTV's, even though the connectors are pin compatible. Defies logic why such a relatively new standard (DVI) is so incompatible across devices.

In any case, if you want to connect a PC to a HDTV using a pure digital signal, the only route is to get a video card that has a HDMI output (assuming your HDTV has HDMI that is) - many aftermarket video cards now feature this, and as I recall the upcoming Toshiba HD-DVD based notebooks will have HDMI as well.

Hope this helps.

 

To the OP: You will need a DVI (DVI-D male to male) cable, and you'll need to set it up appropriately in the ATI control panels depending on what you want to do. You can set up a mirror mode (where both the LCD and HDTV monitor display the same thing --I don't recommend it), use the HDTV monitor as the only display, or use the HDTV monitor as a secondary display (recommended). If your TV does not have a DVI port, do not worry -- you'll need a DVI-D to HDMI cable or adapter.

All of these cables are typically much cheaper on the Internets than they are in physical retail stores.

Where did you come up with these nonsense? If an HDTV has a DVI port (or alternative an HDMI port with an adapter) and doesn't work with standard DVI-D from a PC, it sucks. There are many HDTVs that work fine as DVI monitors...

No, that is not the only route! If a TV doesn't have a DVI connector (many new ones don't; they have DVI only), DVI-D to HDMI adapters or cables are widely available.

 

Here's one example:

http://www.castel.com.au/toshiba/manual/62cm9ua.pdf

Page 43:
Equipment connections
Connecting an HDMI and a DVI device
• This TV is not intended for connection to and should not be used with a PC.

Here's another:

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/c...8-00586A-00.pdf.djvu?DJVUOPTS&NavPane=outline

Page 104:
NOTE
•You cannot connect this TV to a
PC via HDMI/DVI.

No need to go on - it's the same story everywhere I've looked.

If you know where I can buy a 61" or larger DLP that will take my PC's DVI output without massive overscan, and without physically damaging the set, I'm all ears!

 

You can usually use a PC or laptop with a HD monitor if the video card supports the native resolution of the monitor. Most of the newer video cards are fine if you have the latest drivers and set it up properly. I would think an x1600 with the latest drivers would be OK but I haven't tried. Just make sure the resolution and refresh rate are set properly.

 

I've tried to connect 8204 to three or four HDTVs in our store and it worked fine with DVI connection. I didn't even think about checking the manual if those TVs support DVI connection with PCs...

 

Well, that's one way to see if it works without having to test your warranty

 

There are a lot more HDTVs out there than 61" DLPs. While you enjoy your crappy TVs, the rest of the world will be using TVs with DVI ports that work with PCs (most LCDs).

also: I don't see the issue considering ATI cards are capable of outputting 720p60 and 1080i30. Do those displays have trouble displaying 720p and 1080i HDMI/DVI input from any other device?

 

My HDTV (or my friend's, actually) says not to use the DVI port with a PC, but it works fine as long as I use the 720p or 1080i resolutions. On the other hand, it won't work display 1024x768 and other PC resolutions even though it normally supports them through the component video and the VGA ports.

So maybe it's okay as long as you stick to the HDTV resolutions?

To correct for overscan, try setting the resolution to 1152x648 instead of 1280x720 (720p) or 1777x1000 instead of 1920x1080 (1080i/p). My ATI card automatically adds those when the TV is connected and they almost perfectly correct for the overscan present in the regular HDTV sizes. I'm not sure if that'll work for all TVs, sor you YMMV.