Hi all,
I've been reading here since Jan and have everything I need to build my PJ. I've been looking at the future and making sure I have all my bases covered and I think I found a problem.

Right now I have a Benq 567 v2 and a Vdigi for input from my xbox, PC and dvd player.

I know in the future (this winter) I am going to have to upgrade my PC for 2 reasons. I want to make my computer a HTPC and I want to get the new Oblivion game comming out for my PC.

My problem is I was just looking at Tigerdirect and noticed all the new high end Video cards are Dvi output only. I see that I will have a prob being my Benq is a VGA input. Is there a converter that can be used to make a DVI go into a VGA or do I need to get another monitor? I would prob get the Benq 591 or the CMV with the DVI input.

Thanks
Lucas

Luke,
I went with the CMV520D which accepts both DVI and VGA inputs. That way I use the DVI out from my HTPC straight to the LCD… and I plugged my N6 (Vdigi in your case) into the VGA port. An inexpensive HD switcher box from Game Stop works great for switching between component inputs

You may consider using the OLD pc as the HTPC. It’s probably got enough horsepower to work perfectly. I kinda regret spending lots of $$ on an HTPC… after finding my Xbox and XBMC was a better alternative. The Media server can be a *really really* underpowered PC with lots of HD space. ..and you can hide it in the closet, away from the pretty AV components.

If I ever upgrade my PJ from XGA to HD… then the HTPC will be more important. But it's still AWESOME FOR GAMING w00t! Don’t worry about the DVI-only outputs. All High end video cards come with DVI-->VGA adapters now-a-days.

Just keep in mind, unless you plan on displaying HD content.. don’t spend much $$ on the HTPC video card.

Lucas, nearly all video cards are able to output analog vga singals from the dvi port, if they do they will have a included dvi to vga adapter.


peace

I guess my question now is will VGA use my 1,024 x 768 to the fullest extent possible or do I need to go to the DVI to get the best video on a 1,024 x 768 monitor???

You should have no problems with either connection, many report seeing barely any significant differances between the two.


peace

I sorta *feel* like the IQ is the same, but the color slightly improved going from VGA to DVI... but in all reality I can't really tell. The real use of having dual inputs is the utility of hooking up multiple devices. (as I explained above)

i have a ATI all in one for my pc and it cam with this little adapter. the ati card did not have a slot for vga but only dvi so that adapter that came with is made dvi into vga. you can probly find that adapter on EBAY:)

in response to your PM.

My setup is quite different than this diagram now... but this is how I planned to hook up using VGA & DVI.


instead of the Prolink box I went with a Viewsonic N6.

...The ReplayTV, Media Computer and Digital tuner boxes are all in another room.
The HTPC and Xbox are in the living room. ...however I only really use the xbox to feed video.

next time I have some free time and boot into OpenOffice.org I'll make an updated diagram.

Lucas,
keep the questions coming in. You may also want to check out the small HTPC community over @ [H]ard|Forums