VGA out and HD

[mmatheny]

If I set my VGA output to 1920 X 1080, will I essentially be getting HD output to my TV? Or does it HAVE to go through a DVI or HDMI connector?

[frazer]

I would say yes, although it will be an analogue rather than digital connection so the picture quality may not be quite so good.

Frazer

[mmatheny]

Would DVI to HDMI be a better connection? Is there a cable like this that has the capabilities of adding audio to the HDMI (since I don't have separate audio inputs for my HDMI inputs)?

[mmatheny]

Well, looked again and I do have audio inputs for at least one of my HDMI inputs, and (strangely enough!) it's the only HDMI input that will accept a DVI conversion in!

Thanx.

[frazer]

I use a DVI to HDMI cable, and would say the picture is definitely better than VGA. There shouldn't be any difference between using DVI-HDMI or a straight HDMI cable; again, as far as I know.

As for the audio, I haven't delved into those possibilities yet myself, though I keep meaning to!

Frazer

[dennit]

As for the audio, I haven't delved into those possibilities yet myself, though I keep meaning to!

I've looked into it a bit. It's tricky to get audio into HDMI. You either do it with the latest integrated graphics motherboard, the latest video card, or you buy an HDMI audio card and feed the DVI video into that, where it splices in the digital audio. There are compromises for all.
Here's a link that gives current info.

[herrmannj]

Would DVI to HDMI be a better connection?

Absolute! Image the high bandwide needed for 1920x1080@60Hz - so the cable quality (and length) is very important.

So dvi(hdmi) will be always be the visible better option.

[pBS]

i've found several converters that allow you to splice in the audio...
DVI->HDMI with spdif/optical in http://www.directron.com/hdmicvdvi.html
Component ->HDMI with spdif/optical in http://www.directron.com/hdmicvrgb.html
vga -> HDMI w/analog stereo http://www.directron.com/hdmicvvga.html
i think all 69$
but only as a last resort...i've been using rca plug audio with my set's hdmi in for ages..
and an ATI 3450 costs around 35$ and does bluray too...
it's so nice it even autoswitches hdmi audio on when i select another hdmi input on my external switchbox..[which is amazing it knows how]
so when i select a hdmi input on switchbox w/hdmi audio, it works, when i switch back to hdmi video with analog audio, it knows and adjusts...but that's just my tv..

[mmatheny]

What kind of TV?

[sbiddle]

One thing to factor in is that most TV's won't do 1920x1080 over VGA - even if it's a full HD TV. Most are limited to 1360(6)x768 via VGA.

To use full HD 1920x1080 you will probably need to use HDMI.