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    what are HDMI and S-video?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Kossel, Jun 26, 2007.

  1. Kossel

    Kossel Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm new..
    can someone tell me what are HDMI and s-video?? what do they use for?
    what kind of people need that?

    thax
     
    Kossel, Jun 26, 2007
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  2. Lil Mayz

    Lil Mayz Notebook Deity

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    HDMI and s-Video are video interfaces. ie: they transmit information about images to a monitor. You would use them to connect a PC to a monitor, or TV.

    S-Video has a far lower resolution, and so, it is not very good quality. It can only be used for low-res gaming, or watching films. I believe the max resolution using S-Video is 640 x 480, but I'm not entirely sure.

    HDMI is a very modern, digital video interface. It has the ability to transmit images of a far higher resolution. Those of the HD-standard, or perhaps even higher, such as 1920 x 1200. It is very good quality, and can be used for a primary monitor.

    However, most laptops only have a VGA or DVI interface, and very few have S-Video or HDMI interfaces. HDMI also carries audio, as well as video signals, so is an all-in-one transmittion solution. Any one can use S-Video or HDMI, to connect a PC to a monitor, or infact, to connect any digital device to another digital device, provided that both devices support HDMI. HDMI also has a feature to a transmit DRM (Digital Rights Management) video and audio, that can be a pain sometimes apparently.

    Hope this helps,
    Mayz
     
    Lil Mayz, Jun 26, 2007
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  3. Kossel

    Kossel Notebook Evangelist

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    oh, thank you very much !!
    but i still have question, if i want to use a external monitor (19'' widescreen 1440 x 900) instead of using my notebook's display, which video interfaces do i need? DVI, S-video, HDMI, or VGA ?
     
    Kossel, Jun 26, 2007
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  4. GlueEater

    GlueEater Notebook Evangelist

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    that depends on what interface your laptop and monitor has.
     
    GlueEater, Jun 26, 2007
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  5. Kossel

    Kossel Notebook Evangelist

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    I dont have any laptop yet that why I'm asking here, to make a decision... choosing between asus W7s and m1330 ( expensive)... I want to know if HDMI is really important for me
     
    Kossel, Jun 27, 2007
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  6. chimpanzee

    chimpanzee Notebook Virtuoso

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    the old VGA(or d-sub or analog) is good enough except for the very very picky. Most monitors still have this but I am not sure if that is the case say 5 years down the road.

    However, if you want to output to large TV, HDMI seems to be the only option. Though I always have a question which is, how would the audio be handled ? HDMI is supposed to be able to transmit audio as well but how it is done I have no idea. Would the audio still goes through the audio device then merged into the single HDMI or the audio stream is transmitted without passing through any audio device or it simply cannot be done ?
     
    chimpanzee, Jun 27, 2007
    #6