HDMI - the myths/secrets you want to know plus other connectors along with TV as monitor!

 In response by many of you i wanted to continue article about cables and add some infos that may be useful for you. Lets get started :)

As you noticed on my Steam profile i use many monitors, connected to main PC and 5 laptops. Main pc runs 2 monitors and 2 tv's (second is on wall that you cant see on main photo). Why telling this? Second tv is fullHD 48'' Sony, i also play games on it with gamepad for example. It is connected with 10 meter HDMI cable... Lets make it a prologue to some infos! 

1. Length!

The length of an HDMI cable can potentially affect the quality and input lag in games, but it generally does not have a significant impact unless the cable is very long. Here’s a summary of the information:

Signal Transmission: HDMI signals are transmitted at about 85% the speed of light within the cable, so typical lengths are too short to have a substantial effect1.

Input Lag: The input lag is more influenced by the TV’s circuitry than the HDMI cable length, same goes with monitor.

Signal Degradation: As the length of an HDMI cable increases, signal degradation can occur, which MIGHT lead to issues like lag, loss of brightness, and graphical artifacts. However, this usually happens with cables that are significantly longer than standard lengths - like more than 10m.

Quality Cables: Using high-quality HDMI cables can ensure rapid data transmission, reducing lag and enhancing refresh rates for a better gaming experience.

In summary, for most gaming setups, the length of the HDMI cable will not noticeably affect the quality or input lag. It’s more important to focus on the quality of the cable and the specifications of the devices you’re using.

2. Conversion!

Using a DisplayPort to HDMI cable can result in different performance characteristics compared to using a single standard cable, but it doesn’t necessarily mean lower quality. Here’s what you should consider:

Resolution and Refresh Rate: The maximum resolution and refresh rate supported by the cable will depend on the versions of DisplayPort and HDMI you’re working with. For instance, DisplayPort 1.4 supports 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz, while HDMI 2.0 supports 4K at 60Hz12.

Bandwidth: DisplayPort generally has a higher maximum bandwidth compared to HDMI, which can affect the quality and refresh rates achievable1.

Compatibility: The adapter’s compatibility with the specific versions of DisplayPort and HDMI on your devices will determine the quality and performance you can expect1.

In summary, while there might be differences in performance due to the conversion between standards, using a DisplayPort to HDMI cable does not inherently mean you will experience lower quality. It’s essential to ensure that the adapter you choose is compatible with the specifications of your devices to maintain the best possible quality. Thats why its best to use such conversing cables from display port to hdmi and vice versa only with lower monitors like fullHD 60hz or 4k 60hz, cause finding high quality cable with converter inside may be troublesome.

3. Even older types of connectors when you have older monitors to use!

When you have older gpu you wanna use for your media pc or for some emulator machine and tv above bed dont get scared of VGA or DVI! Here is why:

VGA (Video Graphics Array):

Resolution: Maximum of 640x480 pixels in graphics mode, and 720x400 in text mode.

Refresh Rates: Typically 60 or 70 Hz.

Color Depth: Up to 16 colors in planar mode and 256 colors in packed-pixel mode.

Bandwidth: Selectable 25.175 MHz or 28.322 MHz master pixel clock.

Connector: 15-pin DE-15 (also known as HD-15 or DB-15).

important note:

The maximum resolution that VGA (Video Graphics Array) can support is much higher than its original standard of 640x480 pixels. Modern implementations of VGA can handle resolutions up to 2048x1536 pixels, which is known as QXGA (Quad Extended Graphics Array). However, it’s important to note that the actual maximum resolution you can achieve with VGA will depend on the quality of the cable and the capabilities of both the output and input devices. For most uses, VGA is capable of supporting up to 1080p resolution without significant issues, i tested myself and most safe and max spot is fullHD 60hz (remember to lock frames), more can cause tearing, black screens or blinks.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface):

Resolution: Single link supports up to 1920x1200 at 60 Hz; Dual link supports up to 2560x1600 at 60 Hz.

Bandwidth: Single link has a bitrate of 3.96 Gbit/s, and dual link has a bitrate of 7.92 Gbit/s4.

Connector Types: DVI-D (digital only), DVI-A (analog only), and DVI-I (integrated digital and analog).

Pin Configuration: Varies depending on the type of DVI connector, with DVI-D single link having 19 pins and DVI-I dual link having 29 pins.

These are the basic specs for both interfaces. VGA is an older standard that transmits an analog signal, while DVI can transmit both digital and analog signals, offering greater flexibility and typically higher quality for digital displays.

4. Many people asked about tv as monitor, so few tips for starters:

When using a TV as a PC monitor, certain settings can help optimize the picture quality and performance. Here are some recommended settings:

Resolution: Set your PC’s output to match the TV’s native resolution for the clearest image.

Aspect Ratio: Choose “Screen Fit” or “Just Scan” or something similar to as "native" to display the image without overscan or stretching! Let gpu and your pc and gpu drivers do processing, tv is just receiver.

Picture Mode: Select a mode that suits your usage; “Game” mode is often best for reduced input lag or in few models "Monitor" to have crispy and sharp image with good brightness.

Contrast: Around 85 is a good starting point for a balance between light and dark areas - depends on models and screen - lcd, oled etc..

Brightness: Typically, setting this between 45-50 works well - but as well tweaks may differ.

Color: A setting of 50-55 is recommended for natural-looking colors, you can also choose option on tv like natural or monitor.

Sharpness: Keep this low, around 5-7, to avoid artificial edge enhancement or even turn off , depends on model - let again gpu to do this thing.

Remember, these are starting points, and you may need to adjust them based on your specific environment and preferences. Additionally, ensure your TV is in “PC mode” if available, to reduce processing and improve response times. For more detailed calibration, you can use test patterns and adjust the settings to achieve the best picture quality for your setup. Remember we go those pc mode and game mode so tv processor from smart tv will be simply idle - we dont need it as pc monitor! Also tv will work faster, better image and also lower heat.