Unidentified Connector on PC

[Lee-a-Roady Moor]

Anybody have any ideas as to what the unusual port on my PC might be for? It's more square than than the 15 pin games connector, and seems to accept 'square' pins. It's on the graphics card, and came with PC (not my addition).

Never really noticed it before, but had to move PC to get at USB ports on rear, and noticed the connector...

Have had a look at the web, but no joy.

Cheers,

LRM

:confused:

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Lee-a-Roady Moor,

Does it look like either of these:

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/14-102-316-02.JPG

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/14-127-990-02.JPG

Take Care,

Richard

[Lee-a-Roady Moor]

Naples Air Centre,

YES! It looks like the DVI-I output on the second pic! So, what can I do with it? What does it do?

It's presumably for Digital Video, or is it?

Thanks

LRM

[Timothy]

Ain't Richard just a prize!?!?

Timothy

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Lee-a-Roady Moor,

The DVI input is for LCD Monitors and Plasma TVs with DVI Hookups. (Since LCDs and Plasmas are Digital, using a DVI Connector, you go Digital from the Video Card Straight to the monitor.)

LCD Monitor:

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/24-007-020-08.JPG


Plasma TV:

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/4647/4647859_ba.jpg

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. Tim, it is still the "Stopped Clock Theory." ;)

[ORAC]

To answer your question, yes you can use it, even if you only have a normal monitor, by using a DVI-VGA adapter (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2780949218). Most cards come with one included, so check the box or wherever you put the bits that came with it. If not, you can buy one for about a £5. Depending on your video card, you may, or may not, then be able to run two diifferent displays. e.g. Matrox G-550 (http://www.cadinfo.net/reviews/matroxg550.htm).

[Lee-a-Roady Moor]

Hi Richard & ORAC

Thanks for the info. (Computer dept in work had no idea - I'll look forward to giving them the info..!)

Now, I have a flat screen, which I presume is LCD, but I don't believe it's Digital. There is only the standard cable coming out of it, no other sockets. (The lead is std 15 pin). However, if I purchase one of those little adapters, could / would I get a better picture/resolution by using the DVi output? I accept Digital is normally better, but with this monitor? What do you think? Any advantages?

Thanks again,

LRM

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Lee-a-Roady Moor,

The only time you get a better picture on an LCD monitor is when it also has a DVI.

Otherwise you are still converting a Digital Signal to Analog and back anyway.

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. Do not worry, today the Digital to Analog converters do an excellent job.

[Lee-a-Roady Moor]

Thanks Richard,

Thinking about it now, that makes sense really.

Must mention the advantages and merits of a large digital plasma TV/screen to Mrs LRM, but I think I probably know her answer already.....
:(


Cheers,

[Timothy]

Funnily enough Mrs Timothy keeps trying to talk me into one, but I find them very grainy compared to a classic CRT a I remain unconvinced.

The XGA projector I have for demos is v ery good when projected on the wall, mind you.

Timothy

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Lee-a-Roady Moor & Timothy,

Nikki and myself have looked at purchasing a 42" Plasma TV. There were three things that made us wait:

[list=1]
It is a relatively high price which is still dropping. (Waiting for it to hit Best Bang for the Buck.)
Plasmas cannot repaired, you have to think of them as a Disposable TV.
After 5 years, the Plasma Image will dim.
[/list=1]

I would like to see how the LCD technology comes along for TVs. Right now there are 30" LCDs. I am waiting to see if they will get up to the size of Plasmas. (It is a better option IMHO, since they can be repaired.)

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. DLP Projectors are coming. That might end up shaking the Home Theater Market.

[Tall_guy_in_a_152]

Richard
I came to exactly the same conclusions about the 42" Plasma screens. One extra disadvantage is that the glossy brochures do not show the power cable, signal cable or tuning unit, which is usually a separate unit and has has to be hidden somewhere that the remote control can still see!

Time to review again in about 18 months, I think.

TG.

[ORAC]

Well I've had a Panasonic 42" plasma for 3 years, and it's lovely. No DVI though, just AV, component and VGA. Showing it's age. :(

Wonder what the trade-in price would be....... :{

The number of hours I watch it, the screen life is about 12-15 years, and I'd expect to change it before then anyway. You can repair anything but the screen, but who do you know who'll fix, rather than replace, a CRT these days either?