VGA vs DVI vs HDMI Resolution – Which Is Best?

vga vs dvi vs hdmi resolution

Are you confused by all the different display ports and options on monitors, TVs and projectors? It can be confusing when comparing VGA vs DVI vs HDMI resolution, but it doesn’t have to be!

Here’s a port by port breakdown explaining each type of resolution and a recommended application of use for each!

VGA vs DVI vs HDMI Resolution

HDMI

We’re going to start by teaching you about HDMI Resolution, because quite frankly… it’s the best. HDMI broken down just means “high definition multimedia interface.”

Most modern TVs and PCs support this resolution. Furthermore, most products you would plug into a monitor of some type also support an HDMI connection. A few you might have could include:

  • Tablets
  • Google Chromecast
  • Cable box
  • Mobile Device

The main reason why HDMI connections are considered to be the best is because they incorporate both display and audio through the same cable. It’s a familiar format that most people understand, which makes it popular among customers.

In recent years, HDMI standards have been upgraded. But don’t go out and buy new cables – you don’t need them! The HDMI standards upgrade is a part of the hardware itself and cables used with lower standards equipment will still work perfectly.

To summarize, HDMI is great for general use, but other cables can be good for other specific situations.

Do you have a TV with damaged connection ports? Contact us to get in touch and get it fixed!

DVI

DVI stands for “Digital Visual Interface.” It was considered to be the standard display format in 1999… quite awhile back in the technological revolution. DVI has multiple different modes, including:

  • DVI-D (digital only)
  • DVI-A (analog only)
  • DVI-I (digital and analog)

Technically, the digital video signal passed through the cable is the same as HDMI.

The main difference between the two connection types is that DVI doesn’t support an audio signal and requires using a different cable in addition to the visual cable.

This helps to explain why it’s not something you would find on Bluray players or new HD TVs. You can, however, find it on projectors.

At this point in time, HDMI has basically replaced it, though it is good for computer monitors that lack speakers.

There are two types of connectors: dual-link and single-link. Dual-link connectors double the power of transmission with higher speed and signal quality.

VGA

VGA stands for “Video Graphics Array,” which is an analog, video only connection. You will rarely find this connection type on TVs, but can sometimes find it on projectors or old PCs.

The big tech companies (like Samsung) banded together to agree to drop support for VGA back in 2010. As such, there’s really no good use for this display type unless your PC or projector older and doesn’t support DVI or HDMI.

Do you still have questions about VGA vs DVI vs HDMI resolution or want to know what’s the best one to use for your specific purposes? Contact us online or call us at (440)725-0642 for more information!

Taking a look at your electronics, what are the most common connection types you can find? Share in the comments and see where you stack up amongst our other customers!

Comparing LCD vs LED vs Plasma for Gaming

lcd vs led vs plasma for gaming

Since we recently started offering a TV repair service, we’ve heard one question over and over again… what’s the difference between LCD, LED and Plasma TVs?

If you’re a gamer, than you want to ensure that every part of your gaming experience is enjoyable. From a comfy chair, to snacks at the ready, and a headset equipped with a microphone (to scream insults at your opponents!), every detail makes a difference. So it makes sense that you’ll want to make sure that your perfect gaming experience is not ruined by a TV or monitor that doesn’t fit your standards. Let’s take a look at LCD vs LED vs Plasma for Gaming.

LCD vs LED vs Plasma for Gaming

Basic Differences

The only difference between LCD and LED TVs is that LED TVs are just LCD TVs that use an LED backlight instead of a fluorescent one. LED-LCD TVs tend to have better contrast and more accurate colors than fluorescent-backlit TV models.

Since LED TVs use an LED backlight instead of fluorescent lighting, and are the most energy efficient and consume the least amount of power. Gamers tend to prefer LED backlighting because the lighting is much more even and consistent across the screen. In terms of definition, 1080p is a good standard for high definition.

Plasma has the best quality display when considered against LED and LCD TVs, and tend to outperform LED and LCD TVs in many tests. The main difference for Plasma TVs is that Plasma TVs have deeper black levels, which make for better contrast. They also don’t have motion blur and limited viewing angles typically associated with LCD TVs.

The biggest problem with Plasma TVs is that they tend to retain images longer than LED or LCD TVs. Newer models have fixed most of this problem. However, older models have images that can leave an imprint for hours – not always ideal for gamers worried about lag. Speaking of which…

The Problem with Lag

Response time, also known as “lag,” is important to gamers, and can mean the difference between living and dying (in the game at least!). Gamers measure this delay in milliseconds, for online games and Twitch, which require very timely collaboration for an enjoyable gameplay experience. Check out CNET’s guide to the Best Low Lag HDTVs for Serious Gamers to get an idea of what TV models are appropriate for gamers.

Pricing Considerations

In terms of pricing, Plasma is the newest technology, and is therefore the most expensive. From there, LED is cheaper than LCD. You can get a basic understanding of pricing between models considered to be the best for gaming from Tech Radar.

What TV or monitor you decide to use for gaming will ultimately depend on how much you enjoy gaming, and the associated cost of the models you’re considering. For the best experience, with money not an issue, choose a Plasma model. On a lower budget, you’d still have a great gaming experience using and LED TV… not to mention, the cost savings add up with it’s energy efficiency on your monthly electric bill. So what will you choose between LCD vs LED vs Plasma for gaming?

And if you have a TV that you use for gaming and need it repaired, contact us online or by calling (440) 725-0642!

Here’s What to Know before Buying a TV

Here's What to Know before Buying a TV

Although we have always repaired televisions at Target PC Inc, we only recently posted the service itself to our website. So it seemed like a good time to talk about what to know before buying a TV.

Sure, if you already have a TV and it needs repairing, call us at (440) 725-0642.

But if you happen to be in the market for a new TV, you should know that they are not all created equal.

What to Know before Buying a TV

For some people, aspects such as resolution and display type don’t matter all that much. It might be as simple for them as going to their local department store and choosing the least expensive TV that will fit in their living room.

But for the rest of us, it’s a good idea to explore a few different options. After all, different TVs exist to suit different tastes and needs.

Display Types

Plasma: Best for cinematic viewing, and ideal when purchasing a relatively large TV. Excellent color quality, high contrast ratio, and a wide viewing angle. Tend to lack brightness.

LCD: Generally the least expensive option. Energy efficient and fair color quality. Not a great choice for gaming. Also suffers from limited viewing angles.

LED: Usually refers to an LCD TV that uses LED lights for backlighting. A little more expensive than an LCD TV, but more energy efficient. Tends to also boast an improved contrast ratio.

OLED: A true LED TV tend to be bright with a high quality image. Ideal for daytime TV watching. Not inexpensive, and some viewing angle problems.

Contrast Ratio

This term refers to the range of colors between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites. The bigger this ratio is, the better. As the term suggests, it is expressed as a ratio, such as 5,000:1.

Manufacturers have been known to overstate this figure. It is a good idea to do a search online to get a true sense of the contrast ratio on any given TV before purchasing it.

Color Reproduction

Sometimes referred to as color depth, this essentially refers to the number of colors the TV is able to create. What to know before buying a TV is that it should have a bit depth of at least 8 bits per channel.

This will guarantee that the TV is able to create enough colors to display photo quality images.

Aspect Ratio

This term refers to the ratio between the TV’s width versus its height. For example, older more box-style TVs tend to have a more ‘square’ shape with a 4:3 viewing ratio. On the other hand, newer TVs are almost exclusively made with a 16:9 viewing ratio.

If, however, you intend to exclusively watch widescreen Hollywood movies, you may wish to consider a ratio of 2.4:1. This ratio will be harder to find and more expensive than 16:9.

Refresh Rate

Finally, let’s take a look at what is known as refresh rate. This value is measured in hertz (Hz), and it refers to the number of times the image is refreshed each second.

In most cases, you will be choosing between 60 Hz or 120 Hz. Although more expensive, a TV with a refresh rate of 120 Hz will display smoother transitions between images and reduce motion blur.

This is especially helpful if you watch a lot of action movies or play a lot of video games. If you intend to primarily watch the evening news, 60 Hz will be more than adequate.

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What’s the most important feature you look for when purchasing a new TV?

Let us know with a comment below.