Does my new Screen "need" HDMI?

[Mr Noble]

Looking at getting a nice new screen for my Photoshop work, web browsing and playing GTR.

Having researched quite a bit I think the Dell Ultrasharp 2407 looks to be the best bet, but it does not have HDMI input.

I just wonder if I should wait till the (if they do) update it to a newer model with HDMI, or if its really that important.

I don't want to buy it and then find its not compatible with stuff in 2 years.

Review/ details HERE


Many thanks.

Greg



ps. If you can recommend better alternatives? 24" min, flippable for portrait work in PS etc.

[mackie1]

I thought the Dell 24 incher did have HDMI. You only need it if you plan on watching HD movies on it I beleive since HDMI includes HDCP in the spec. If the application doesn't need HDCP then DVI will work just fine (the wire protocol is the same).

Edited by mackie1 on Sunday 6th May 10:13

[Mr Noble]

Guess I was thinking about its future use.

If I use it for a few years and then get something better for the PC, this screen would likely get moved to a bedroom, playroom or kitchen where it would need HDMI input. No?

Sorry for being slow, there are just so many different connections, I'm a bit lost.

I was just told to get one thats "HD Ready".

Greg

[mackie1]

Actually I think I was slightly off the mark. As far as I know the Dell supports HDCP encryption over the DVI connection, you'd just need a HDMI to DVI converter cable.

[MickC]

mackie1 said:

Actually I think I was slightly off the mark. As far as I know the Dell supports HDCP encryption over the DVI connection, you'd just need a HDMI to DVI converter cable.

Revision A3 of the dell does support HDCP over DVI IIRC. Earlier revisions do not (no idea if you can upgrade firmware)

[Mr Noble]

HDMI - HIGH-DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE

HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and like DVI, it allows for the uncompressed data transfer of video between a digital TV and HDMI-enabled consumer electronics devices. The big difference between HDMI and DVI is that HDMI transfers the video and audio signal. DVI only carries the video signal.

According to the HDMI’s official Web site, the advantages of HDMI are:

1) The highest quality video seen and audio heard
2) Fewer cables behind the TV means less mess and confusion-free connection
3) Automatically configures remote controls of devices connected by HDMI
4) Automatically adjusts video content to most effective format
5) HDMI is compatible with DVI, which means it will allow connection to PCs

Because it combines the audio and video signal, HDMI has tremendous support from the MPAA. It was created by some of the heavyweights in the consumer electronics industry - Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, and Toshiba. The HDMI input is similar to a USB connector on a PC.

With a very simplistic understanding of the technology, it’s time to answer the original questions listed above:

If I purchase a new HDTV is it better to purchase one with DVI/HDCP?

Yes, you will want to purchase a television with DVI/HDCP or HDMI/HDCP. In my opinion, the best purchase option for a TV or any consumer electronics device (DVD player, DVR, set-top box) is one with HDMI/HDCP. DVI is an old format, and is secondary to HDMI. HDMI has room for growth, and because it has support from some of the major consumer electronics manufacturers, it’s hard to see it being replaced in the next decade or so. Regardless, buying a TV without either input would be a bad decision if you want to ensure usability of the TV a decade from now. Some televisions come with both inputs.

[mroad]

Don't worry about future compatibilty, the connection technology is changing all the time.
Displayport (designed by VESA and supported by AMD/ATI, Nvidia and Dell its due to appear on AMD motherboards this year) and UDI may well take over from DVI and HDMI in future. Certainly Displayport features look excellent.