Monitor death Mac & PC ? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

11/09/2005 08:38:03 PM · #1

OK, first the bad. My monitor is dead, kaput. Memorial service schedule TBA. So I have to use my work laptop, which is a POS. So I need a new one, meaning laying out some $$$ for a decent display for editing and other uses.

The ugly. It did not go peacefully, not did it go out with a bang, it just started scrambling the image periodically and would only unscramble with a good whack. Finally, last night, it just blinked off and no more image. I guess it's at peace now.

The good. I bought a nice big Dell LCD and no, I did not pay that much. It has the same screen as the Apple Cinema Display and is generally highly rated by both Mac and PC users. I can't wait for the UPS guy.

I have both a Mac and PC that will be sharing this display (at least until I decide to stop straddling the fence and go completely over to the Mac side) The display supports both DVI and VGA input, the Mac has both ADC and VGA connectors and the PC has VGA only. Finally, that brings me to my questions. What is the advantage of DVI over VGA? Is it worth buying new DVI graphics cards? Should I buy the ADC-DVI adapter for the Mac?

Thanks for reading my babble and as my buddies Bartles and Jaymes always said to me when I was in High School, "Thank you for your support."

Message edited by author 2005-11-09 20:38:46.

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

11/09/2005 08:57:25 PM · #2

I bought the same monitor. The only difference I see is with DVI, the contrast can't be adjusted. So far as quality, I didn't see a difference between the modes. Some say DVI is more responsive for gaming, but I don't game. One person also told me with DVI you can use longer cables without signal loss.

I'm finding the monitor very nice but bright. I've calibrated with Adobe Gamma but apparently with LCD it doesn't work very well ( I just ordered ColorPlus by ColorVision hoping to solve that problem). How are you planning on calibrating?

11/09/2005 10:04:10 PM · #3

Originally posted by orussell:

At least initially, I plan to use the built-in Apple color calibration tool. I think that I will get Spyder2 ProStudio at some point to calibrate. I don't plan to do anymore editing on the PC, so I'm not too worried about that in the meantime.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/09/2005 10:06:48 PM · #4

DVI is digital, VGA is analog. You'll get a better screen image with digital. Get the adapter.

wee_ag

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/09/2005 10:14:51 PM · #5

Originally posted by scalvert:

DVI is digital, VGA is analog. You'll get a better screen image with digital. Get the adapter.

I agree... I'm running the Dell 21" DVI and the 17" VGA on a dual monitor system at work - the 21" DVI hook up looks crisper and brighter - though, both are far better than the $99 CRT I'm looking at now at home (need a raise).

Though I don't know if just an 'adapter' as scalvert suggested would do the trick to getting a better picture. I think you will need to pick up a DVI capable card for the PC.

11/09/2005 10:21:10 PM · #6

Originally posted by wee_ag:

Originally posted by scalvert:
DVI is digital, VGA is analog. You'll get a better screen image with digital. Get the adapter.

Though I don't know if just an 'adapter' as scalvert suggested would do the trick to getting a better picture. I think you will need to pick up a DVI capable card for the PC.

ADC is an Apple proprietary connector, it's like DVI, but also powers the monitor so only one cord, so the adapter should work. It's only $29, so it's worth a shot.

11/09/2005 10:24:08 PM · #7

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

...the adapter should work.

It will. I've got several of these running Dell monitors.

11/09/2005 10:40:02 PM · #8

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
...the adapter should work.

It will. I've got several of these running Dell monitors.

I've heard of some people having problems using the adapter with the Powermac G4's, but those may be older than mine. Seems like they can't get the correct resolution setting when using the ADC port, but, they report it works OK with VGA. My Mac is the single processor 800Mhz "Quicksilver 2002". Have you used it on any of this vintage?

11/09/2005 10:43:09 PM · #9

My friends have two of them running on 733mhz Quicksilver 2001 models. How's that?

11/09/2005 11:40:46 PM · #10

Originally posted by scalvert:

My friends have two of them running on 733mhz Quicksilver 2001 models. How's that?

Cool! I can't wait. Thanks for all the help. Even though my Mac is used, I'm geeked by the whole Mac thing.

Message edited by author 2005-11-09 23:42:42.

11/11/2005 07:15:46 PM · #11

OK, the monitor came today and I hooked it up. Kudos to Dell for fast shipping and solid packaging. Right now it's running in VGA mode, because the adapter hasn't shown up yet and I still need to run my PC with it. I'm not about to invest in a DVI card for that thing when I'm getting ready to scrap it out. OK, well I'm probably going to give it to my Mother-in-Law or donate it to a charity.

Anyway, the colors and clarity on this thing are just gorgeous. AWESOME!