Macbook Pro External Display

[matt18012]

Hey guys,

I have a Dell 2007 fpw monitor that I want to use with my Macbook Pro. I also use this display with an HDMI DVD player. Now, I can hook the DVD player up to the display through either a HDMI to VGA cable or throug a HDMI to DVI cable. Same situation with the Macbook Pro. My question: which device shoudl use VGA and which should use DVI? Is there a noticeable quality difference?

Thanks!

 

[nylon]

Well the DVI will get you the better quality on the display. However, I guess it will depend on what your primary application is with the monitor. If it's computing than hook up the MBP with the dvi and the dvd player through the vga. If you mainly use your monitor for watching dvd's than do the opposite.

Finally you could purchase a DVI swutcher so that both devices could use the DVI port.

 

[dwayne.king]

Hey guys,

I have a Dell 2007 fpw monitor that I want to use with my Macbook Pro. I also use this display with an HDMI DVD player. Now, I can hook the DVD player up to the display through either a HDMI to VGA cable or throug a HDMI to DVI cable. Same situation with the Macbook Pro. My question: which device shoudl use VGA and which should use DVI? Is there a noticeable quality difference?

Thanks!

OK - I'm feeling a little stupid here, but since this is my first mac you'll have to give me a free pass for this one

I have exactly the same monitor as you and a macbook pro (i.e. same setup). Is it just me, or is the DVI connector on the monitor not the same size as the one on the laptop.

The local apple shop where I bought it doesn't seem to understand what I'm saying, and AppleCare didn't know what DVI-D is (what the Dell monitor has) and says that the macbook has a DVI (no suffix) connector.

So my assumption is I need a some type of "DVI to DVI-D" adapter? Where does one get one of these? Am I missing something simple?

Thanks in advance.

DK

 

[mmmcheese]

Hey guys,

I have a Dell 2007 fpw monitor that I want to use with my Macbook Pro. I also use this display with an HDMI DVD player. Now, I can hook the DVD player up to the display through either a HDMI to VGA cable or throug a HDMI to DVI cable. Same situation with the Macbook Pro. My question: which device shoudl use VGA and which should use DVI? Is there a noticeable quality difference?

Thanks!

I would use DVI on the MBP, and VGA on the DVD. My reasoning is that you're more likely to have small text on the computer, and the DVI signal should be a little bit crisper and easier on the eyes. DVDs are already being upscaled for that resolution, so there's already some quality loss. Also, VGA is still a very good signal for TV/DVD, I doubt you'd notice the difference on that connection.

 

[mmmcheese]

OK - I'm feeling a little stupid here, but since this is my first mac you'll have to give me a free pass for this one

I have exactly the same monitor as you and a macbook pro (i.e. same setup). Is it just me, or is the DVI connector on the monitor not the same size as the one on the laptop.

The local apple shop where I bought it doesn't seem to understand what I'm saying, and AppleCare didn't know what DVI-D is (what the Dell monitor has) and says that the macbook has a DVI (no suffix) connector.

So my assumption is I need a some type of "DVI to DVI-D" adapter? Where does one get one of these? Am I missing something simple?

Thanks in advance.

DK

The suffix indicates what pins are present on the connector. The connector itself is the same though. DVI-D is missing the little cross shaped pins at the one end used for analog signals, and the DVI-I has both sets.