Dumb Question--How send computer to plasma

[caroberts]

Believing there are not dumb questions, I need advice. I have several computers so have options there. I have a 50-in plasma monitor with pretty good denon A/V Receiver which has a multitude of inputs that can be switched to the output to the Plasma.

My dilemma is that I take high end still digital photos with lots of pixals. I want to keep as much digital info as I can while I display these photos on the plasma monitor (slide show as in "home movies" etc). So do I get a special card to put in my computer, and if so, what output would send the most resolution to the plasma monitor?

Thanks for your help on this basic question.:mrgreen:

[markkleb]

lol, a dumb question. I must be really dumb cause I have no clue.

Its actually a GREAT question cause someone here knows and together we will learn something..

Is your comp hooked to the Plasma? If the plasma has a "DVI" in I think thats the best way to hook up a comp to a screen.(course ur comp needs to have a DVI as well)

Also if you post the models(Comps and Video Cards,Denon,Plasma) and a link for them it would make it easier for others to answer.

[DragonMaster]

It all depends of your videocard.

Try to look for these, the first being the best :
DVI, HDMI, VGA, RGB/SCART(Europe), Component, S-Video, Composite.

A recent video card should have VGA, DVI and Component.
I listed HDMI and RGB/SCART because DVI can be converted to HDMI, and VGA to RGB easily. If you have the choice between Component vs. VGA to SCART take component.

I am not sure that SCART accepts progressive video, but it should.

[markkleb]

see, I told you someone smart would come along...

[DragonMaster]

I never used DVI and SCART tho.

[caroberts]

Dear DragonMaster or others,
Thanks for advice. I am still a bit confused. Are you saying I would get a better resolution in this order--first DVI, then component, then VGA?

Also, I am confused about analog and digital. I had assumed (hmmm) that since I have digital info in computer (digital photo file) that I want to send "digital" information directly to the Plasma, versus analog. But I am begining to wonder if the plasma actually requires analog inputs and everything is simply converted to an analog signal so it can be shown on the plasma. I have a 1080i capability on the plasma.
1. Are my assumptions right?
2. Does DVI, component, and VGA all send digital directly?

Thanks for your help for my "basic" questions.

[DragonMaster]

Are you saying I would get a better resolution in this order--first DVI, then component, then VGA?
Yes. Except for VGA and component where I'm not sure which one is the best.

Only DVI and HDMI are digital. VGA is analog, and component too. For LCD and plasma screens, if you take the analog input, it's going to be converted to digital to be displayed on the LCD, so DVI is way better. For CRTs, the signal is analog, so it doesn't really matter, except that if there's a DVI input, the D/A conversion is going to be done closer (in the monitor's electronics), which should make a better picture.

[Kougar]

I'm not sure if I am understanding the question? I apologize in advance if I missed what you were asking..

DVI uses a digital signal, so as long as your video card has a DVI output that you can plug into your TV (I am 99% sure a 1080i plasma would have DVI inputs) you would have no issues with large highly detailed photos.

Again, DVI uses a digital signal, while VGA uses an analog signal... it is far better to use DVI if at all possible.

[GIBSON]

In short, go for DVI/HDMI, will give you the best quality. VGA will give you the worst quality.

[DragonMaster]

Well, VGA would be better than S-Vid or Composite.

Some say that component is better than VGA, and some don't, hard to know...