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So I have ONE Monitor.. Lame I know, but my TV crapped out and I don't feel like dishing out the money to get a new one right now.
My question is, would a DVI Splitter from my PC Monitor work for 2 DVI Inputs? I read a couple places that it would, but some say that it only works on Output. IE Works to put same image on two monitors, but doesn't work to split a PC/Xbox to same monitor.

Anyone have any first hand knowledge of this? I don't feel like unplugging my PC/Xbox every time I wanna use the other.

An xbox won't have a DVI connector. Plus a splitter can't be used in reverse most of the time. Does your xbox have hdmi? Then does your monitor have hdmi also? But maybe a KVM switch if you can get the xbox to output to DVI.

I have an HDMI -> DVI cable for my Xbox. I can easily plug it into my Monitor. i already know how to do all that. My only problem is I have one monitor and I hate the hassle of having to plug my computer back into my monitor when I'm done with the xbox etc. A splitter can be used for Displaying a single computer onto 2 monitors. That is an example of the Output being Split. But I need to know if the Input can be split in anyway. The inputs being My Xbox and computer into my Monitor. I suppose I could cheap out and get a Hdmi -> VGA and just switch the signal on my monitor between the two, but I prefer the digital picture.

Find a dvi kvm switch. A kvm switch should get what you want done. A kvm is used for multiple computers controlled by one monitor, keyboard, and mouse via a switch. No doubt you could get it to work with your xbox.

Either get dvi->VGA converter for xbox, or an HDMI->HDMI cable assuming your monitor has hdmi input. If it only has one input which is DVI then you need a KVM switch.

Also the difference when swapping from DVI->VGA is not noticeable at all. A converter is like $2 as opposed to a kvm switch which is much more expensive and more of a hassle.

Cheapest was over $100 o.O
I'd rather spend the extra minute to change em lol. A single splitter is only $10

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817403074

If you really want to stick with your idea. Also going from HDMI to VGA can not happen in most cases. HDMI/DVI are digital signals and VGA is analog. You would need a converter. That's also pricy. Might as well switch it manually or build your own KVM switch.

$3...

The reason why DVI to VGA works in most cases is because DVI was designed that way. The DVI connector on say a GPU has the analog pins designed FOR VGA and other analog devices. That's why my graphics card has a DVI port with more pins then my motherboard. My motherboard is strictly digital where my graphics card was designed to send both signals.

http://johnandlileth.com/Blog/tabid/197 ... fault.aspx

HDMI is strictly digital.

I'm confused as to what exactly you're trying to explain to me. For his computer, he can use a DVI -> VGA converter and plug it into his monitor through VGA. For his xbox he can use his HDMI -> DVI cable and plug it into his monitor through DVI.

This is the exact same set up I have with my PS3..

Well yea that would work and probably the only way to do it. Just depends if he wants to change his computer setup or not. I was talking strictly about the xbox and leaving the computer the same.

Indeed I said




Meant to say PC.

Anyway if you put a VGA setup beside a DVI setup you won't notice a difference. I've tried it myself, likewise with the $80 HDMI cables and the $3 ones.

Well for VGA I wouldn't need a splitter or converter as I still have my original cable and my monitor and gpu supports all 3(HDMI/DVI/VGA) My monitor has a VGA and DVI that I can press a button to switch between the two, I was just wondering if a Splitter would work because I prefer Digital display from my Xbox AND Computer. Analog just looks so crappy after using Digital for so long.

They do sell HDMI to Vga cables, but again.. I despise VGA
http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-VGA-HD15-Mal ... B001OLCHJ6

If my monitor had 2 DVI inputs.. I would have no problem.. But no.. they had to limit it to 1 Dvi and 1 Vga.

There is absolutely no way you will be able to tell the difference between VGA and DVI on your monitor. It's all in your head.

There is a noticeable amount missing when converting DVi into Vga on LCD monitors. The larger the LCD, the more noticeable the differences. That came straight from the Nvidia website. So pardon me if I take their word for it along with my own personal experience. The difference isn't massive, but it still feels like a downgrade is all. Like I said, If I have to I will resort to that, but I prefer two Dvi is all.

Then I'll tell you to do the same thing I did. Test with both VGA and DVI without knowing which is which and try to guess which cable produces which picture. If you can get it right say 5 times in a row then maybe you are using a monitor that poorly normalizes from VGA to digital though I doubt it as any modern computer monitor will make it look exactly the same.

tldr

you're bullshitting yourself. Exactly like monster selling $999 hdmi cables that look "better"

Yes. I'm bullshitting myself because I'd rather take the word of a Major GPU developer like Nvidia over yours. My bad. Way to take a simple question about a DVi splitter personally. Bravo

Well it's deal with VGA or manually switch it. Those are your only options other then buying another TV or cough up some dough for a KVM switch.

I'm not turning this into something personal at all..You didn't even show me a link to the EVGA so I could make any real remark. If you simply google'd the information you'd see tons of answers exactly like mine. This isn't even offtopic, it's incredibly relevant to why you want a splitter in first place. Not only that but I challenged you to see the difference for YOURSELF rather than be told.

But hey way to try and turn this into something against me for whatever reason..Wait you do that in every topic I reply to, just like the laptop one (which you conveniently didn't respond to after you made a fool of yourself).

I stated a few posts ago if I had to I would. DVI is better. That's a fact. I'd have preferred a DVI splitter on input is all. I was just wondering if that was even possible as I've never needed to get a splitter to try it.
Your pretty full of yourself aren't you? roflmao

Well if you are good at electronics you could make your own kind of KVM though I think it would just kinda be a waste of time. Take a splitter and attach a switch between the 2 ends. just need to make sure the male/female ends would be correct.

But like I said probably a waste of time with that route.

Not sure how you derived that from what I said. Are you denying what I said? You know all the posts are still there right?

Your a "Know it all" that feels the need the make his opinion the "Fact".
Claiming there is no difference between VGA/DVI. Yes.. analog and digital are the same according to you. You seem to think I'm out to get you for some reason.. when your the one that turned it personal saying "you're bullshitting yourself" If you can't see the sharper image when using a DVI over a VGA, you need your eyes checked. DVI is a straight shot from GPU to Monitor. Any GPU going into an LCD via VGA has to convert that image and some image data is always lost in translation. I never once acted like it was a Huge noticeable difference, but the sharper image on bigger monitors is for sure noticeable when using DVI over VGA especially on higher resolutions.

Unless of course your using a stone age gpu that still uses analog output and no digital.. then of course it's the same or if your just using a VGA to Digital converter.. it will still be analog quality.

I'm terribly sorry you think I'm a "know it all". I can assure you that I don't, in fact, know everything. While I strive to, I'm also willing to share whatever I've learned with others to help them out, much like this topic. No where did I say digital and analog are the same, period. I said you will not notice the difference. My eyes have been checked, but thanks for the advice.

Being quite concerned with quality myself, I've done the check and compared each signal. MOST newer monitors (I'll ballpark it at around monitors in the past 5 years) apply the conversion and display analog at a somewhat identical method as they do digital. There are settings for monitors you can change (phase and clock) if you notice something weird. I've done this, as most people usually configure their monitors (turn down brightness etc).



This contradicts itself. Sharper images that are very noticeable are indeed huge noticeable differences.

And since you're still on about when I said "you're bullshitting yourself", I'll explain. It's not meant offensively at all. It's common when comparing two things to think there is a difference when there really isn't. It's an extremely useful tool used by companies (monster) when selling HDMI cables..Almost as useful in selling high quality headphones. Ever visit headfi.org? You'll see exactly what I'm talking about.