2001FP DVI/Analog Input

Question

Just got this display along with a new XPS Gen3. Have a question? It came with cables for both VGA and DVI input. VGA was attached to the display, and I'm using it now via a KVM switch that I switch the keyboard/mouse/video between two systems. The question is can I *bypass* the switch for the display and then use the DVI cable for the XPS and VGA for the other system (both can be on at the same time) and switch between them via the front panel switch? Only info I found was *not* to connect both the DVI and VGA to the display from the same video card. Is there a downside for this if I do it, like additional wear and tear on the electronics of the display? Thanks, Irv Spalten

Sir_Lansiter · Answer

You 'sure' can use one monitor for two computers. One for DVI, one for Analog. However, you can NOT turn both computers on. Furthermore, One computer can't connect both DVI and Analog Input with one monitor. You MUST HAVE to choose either DVI or Analog, and DVI is better than Analog. DVI can send the signal straight to the monitor in digital format. Analog Input converts analog signals before they can be displayed. If you want to use both DVI and Analog Input, you must have TWO monitors. One goes with DVI (which you might want to use it with better monitor) , and one goes with Analog Input. Connect both cables into your XPS GEN 3, then you can use two monitors at the same time. One more thoughts, personally I can't really tell the difference of which connection is better. : )   have fun. Message Edited by Sir_Lansiter on 11-23-2004 10:54 PM

VCraig · Answer

Sir_Lansiter....

I've had my 2001FP about a week now but set up for DVI input. I'm curious - when you said you really can't tell the difference between DVI and VGA input images, are you saying VGA mode screen resolutions (i.e., 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1152x864) are as crisp as DVI mode at the monitor's native resolution of 1600x1200?

Sir_Lansiter · Answer

I am talking about when two monitors use the same resolution. (like DVI 1600:1200 and Analog 1600:1200) I only compare with text, pictures, but I didn't compare with games. But who cares. Everybody said DVI is better. Message Edited by Sir_Lansiter on 11-23-2004 11:59 PM

Larry Parker · Answer

VCraig

I had to disconnect my DVI cable on my 1800fp and install the analog cable, due to the screen blacking out using DVI. I can not see any difference in picture quality. Surprised the heck out of me :)

VCraig · Answer

Hmmmm... Think I'll give VGA a try, mainly for lower screen resolutions with over-all larger everything options due to personal vision concerns. Thanks for the feedback.. Message Edited by VCraig on 11-24-2004 01:14 AM

Sir_Lansiter · Answer

I still perfer DVI with 1600:1200 resolution. You can change the font size by using DPI setting. It will make everything bigger. Depends on which size you want.

VCraig · Answer

Yup, I did all that...set DPI from default 96 to custom 100, enabled large fonts as well as clear type. Even so, there are various situations where the text is too small to read comfortably and can't be adjusted. Other examples are with non-sizable apps like Windows card games.  But, like you say, DVI images and text are 'crisp' in every sense of the word.

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