Is DVI supposed to be like this?

Cain Highwind · 08-19-2005, 12:17 AM

I recently upgraded from an old 15" CRT to a nice 17" LCD with DVI. So I hooked it up, and noticed something. I had heard DVI was supposed to deliver an HD like experience, and while pictures and webpages look, nice and bright and colorful, movie files are another story.

Low res Mpegs and WMVs are understandable, but even on Hi-Res AVI's, I notice extra grain, and dithered colors, even on DVD movies being played Full Screen.

Maybe I'm just being too picky, I just was thinking having a nice LCD with DVI would make the image quality appear better than my 27" CRT TV with 420 Interlaced Component.

Is this something with the monitor, graphics card or both, or just something I need to get used too?

Card details
Geforce MX400
Forceware 71.84
AGP 4X
128 MB V Ram.

Running it in Windows Xp SP2 512 MB of RAM, 1024x768 @60Hz

**mgoldb2** · 08-19-2005, 01:41 AM

1. Can you name what LCD screen you have?
2. Did it look better on your old crt?

I can think of only 3 things that could cause video files not to look good.
1. THe video file it self not as good as you think it is
2. monitor (this why I would like to know exactly which LCD screen you have)
3. Videocard

I not sure on this but I was once told having directx 9 also inprove how your media play can view certain type of media file. Your video card is only dirextX 7 I believe. It possiable upgrading to a directx 9 card could improve things. I am not 100% sure on this so before you go out and buy a new video card have someone else confirm this.

ebackhus · 08-19-2005, 08:26 AM

If I plugin my laptop to my secondary CRT then the picture loses the graininess and dithering, so I can tell you it's not the card. LCD's are just like that and their lower contrast ratio is often to blame. HD means more pixels, which means more detail, which means you can see more imperfections. :) what a happy thing! HD only really looks good at a distance where the pixels can't be seen individually. Which is why I think that 17" LCD "TVs" are stupid. You gotta be rather close to see them and then the imperfections come out. I also harbor a general disliking for LCDs so I'm naturally biased.

**Fox** · 08-19-2005, 08:33 AM

I like CRT's...more natural picture I think.

For what it's worth, I have tried DVI with my friend's gigantic HDTV. Played GTA: Vice City, and it really did look great. So I think DVI does have a purpose, but maybe not for TVs that small...

ebackhus · 08-19-2005, 08:53 AM

As a designer I simply refuse to use an LCD. Color accuracy is something they simply can't provide. Sure, you can alspa a $400 calibrator on there, but you forget that just moving can cause the colors to shift.

For me it's CRT.

Cain Highwind · 08-19-2005, 12:12 PM

I kind of thought as much. The whole extra detail shows more imperfectons deal. I mean I went from a Composite to SVideo Connection on my satellite system, anbd I can see the extra grain from the picture, though I've gotten used to it.

Oh and I guess I was tired and forgot an extra "0", its an MX4000, and the monitor is a Polyview V17E.

I still think the monitor is great overall, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anythingmore I could do.

ebackhus · 08-19-2005, 12:38 PM

Most you can do is sit further back so that the pixels blur a bit. Your hardware if working great, just like it should, you're just seeing the inherent limitations of HD technology when used in a desktop setting.

08-19-2005, 12:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cain Highwind Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 73 OS: XP Home (Desktop) XP Pro (Laptop)	Is DVI supposed to be like this? I recently upgraded from an old 15" CRT to a nice 17" LCD with DVI. So I hooked it up, and noticed something. I had heard DVI was supposed to deliver an HD like experience, and while pictures and webpages look, nice and bright and colorful, movie files are another story. Low res Mpegs and WMVs are understandable, but even on Hi-Res AVI's, I notice extra grain, and dithered colors, even on DVD movies being played Full Screen. Maybe I'm just being too picky, I just was thinking having a nice LCD with DVI would make the image quality appear better than my 27" CRT TV with 420 Interlaced Component. Is this something with the monitor, graphics card or both, or just something I need to get used too? Card details Geforce MX400 Forceware 71.84 AGP 4X 128 MB V Ram. Running it in Windows Xp SP2 512 MB of RAM, 1024x768 @60Hz

08-19-2005, 01:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
mgoldb2 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 604 OS: windows xp	1. Can you name what LCD screen you have? 2. Did it look better on your old crt? I can think of only 3 things that could cause video files not to look good. 1. THe video file it self not as good as you think it is 2. monitor (this why I would like to know exactly which LCD screen you have) 3. Videocard I not sure on this but I was once told having directx 9 also inprove how your media play can view certain type of media file. Your video card is only dirextX 7 I believe. It possiable upgrading to a directx 9 card could improve things. I am not 100% sure on this so before you go out and buy a new video card have someone else confirm this. __________________

08-19-2005, 08:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	If I plugin my laptop to my secondary CRT then the picture loses the graininess and dithering, so I can tell you it's not the card. LCD's are just like that and their lower contrast ratio is often to blame. HD means more pixels, which means more detail, which means you can see more imperfections. :) what a happy thing! HD only really looks good at a distance where the pixels can't be seen individually. Which is why I think that 17" LCD "TVs" are stupid. You gotta be rather close to see them and then the imperfections come out. I also harbor a general disliking for LCDs so I'm naturally biased. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-19-2005, 08:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I like CRT's...more natural picture I think. For what it's worth, I have tried DVI with my friend's gigantic HDTV. Played GTA: Vice City, and it really did look great. So I think DVI does have a purpose, but maybe not for TVs that small... __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

08-19-2005, 08:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	As a designer I simply refuse to use an LCD. Color accuracy is something they simply can't provide. Sure, you can alspa a $400 calibrator on there, but you forget that just moving can cause the colors to shift. For me it's CRT. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses. Last edited by ebackhus; 08-19-2005 at 08:54 AM. Reason: "alspa" isn't a word

08-19-2005, 12:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cain Highwind Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 73 OS: XP Home (Desktop) XP Pro (Laptop)	I kind of thought as much. The whole extra detail shows more imperfectons deal. I mean I went from a Composite to SVideo Connection on my satellite system, anbd I can see the extra grain from the picture, though I've gotten used to it. Oh and I guess I was tired and forgot an extra "0", its an MX4000, and the monitor is a Polyview V17E. I still think the monitor is great overall, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anythingmore I could do.

08-19-2005, 12:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Most you can do is sit further back so that the pixels blur a bit. Your hardware if working great, just like it should, you're just seeing the inherent limitations of HD technology when used in a desktop setting. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.