HDMI-to-DVI and 900p monitors for gaming

Tech Talk
1

Sorry if this is dumb but I’m out of the loop on tech knowledge. I’ve used a 480i CRT for years, mostly because of 3rd Strike, but I recently learned that my computer monitor (ASUS VE198T) has low input lag. That assumption is based on the fact that all of the reviewed VE##8 models have 11 ms or less of lag on DisplayLag.com (which is run by a fighting game player?). However, the resolution of the one I have is 1440 x 900 at an aspect ratio of 16:10 and it doesn’t have HDMI input.

Basically, I have two questions:

  1. Does using an HDMI-to-DVI cable for PS3 increase input lag or otherwise negatively affect performance? Both formats are digital so I figure it would be fine, but I don’t know.
  2. Since the native resolution of my monitor doesn’t match the output options for any console, should I be worried about visual issues or lag caused by scaling? Or do most 900p monitors display 720p games with black bars?

Thanks.

2

HDMI to DVI does not increase input lag. Most input lag is due to post processing being applied to the HDMI input on the monitor.

3

DVI and HDMI uses the almost the same protocols and require no conversion
DVI format just lacks HDCP (Video DRM) and Audio.

4

DVI doesn’t lack HDCP, it’s an authorized method to transport HDCP encrypted signals. The checks happen on the display end and are sent back to the player/PC. If the display doesn’t support it or there’s something between (like a HDMI to VGA Converter), the video would lose the HDCP encryption and the display would either be black or static. I had to through this myself when I put my Xbox one in my HD cabinet, using an HDMI to DVI adapter cable.

There are a few Items like the HD Fury that will convert it from HDMI to VGA and pull the HDCP without losing signal quality, but they’re $160+. I haven’t tested to see if there’s any lag with them, either.

You are right about audio, so @Gaijinblaze‌ will need to transfer audio another way. I use and Optical to analog (L/R) audio adapter in my HD cabinet and it works great.

(don’t mean to push my glasses up like a nerd. Just adding my experience)

5

Thanks guys.

Yes, before I made this thread, some discussions on other forums did warn that a monitor without HDCP compatibility via its DVI input would not display an image from a console. IIRC, mine did have an HDCP sticker on it when I bought it, and at least one site has it listed as a feature, so I figure that I can rule out any problems there.

For audio, I haven’t decided but the original plan was to use the optical out of the console and buy a portable headphone DAC/amp like a FiiO E17. I use headphones for everything so it seemed like a good idea, but now I’m sort of apprehensive about spending more money.

Any thoughts on the second question about scaling? Or does it depend on the monitor and I’ll just have to try it and see what happens? For what it’s worth, if the aspect ratio of the image is not 16:9 or there is noticeable artifacting or lag from resizing, I would consider this idea to have been a failure.

6

Depends on the monitor, honestly. Smaller monitors have lower lag fwiw.

7

Since we’re talking about 3rd Strike, the consensus is that you should avoid playing 3S on anything but a CRT.

8

unrelated 2i fact, the CPS3 (Arcade) version of 2i supports 16:9 screens natively! really cool fact. Just good luck finding a 16:9 CRT that does 15 KHz video. :stuck_out_tongue:

9

I know about the lag tests but I’m not seeing evidence there that OE lags disproportionately more on a laggy monitor. They factored in the known amount of lag of the monitor instead of testing a CRT and LCD separately, which would be necessary to conclude that the LCD lags more than its expected amount when running 3S. Besides, I don’t plan on playing 3S for any competitive purpose on an LCD to begin with and I may not play OE at all again.

The interesting thing about 2I is that the widescreen mode isn’t just for the sake of monitor compatibility. It changes gameplay by allowing the characters to move further away from each other. Especially in a game with parrying and weaker projectiles (and Necro’s limbs stretch less than in 3S, for that matter), it’s really weird.

Also, bad news. The instruction manual for my monitor has a list of supported operating modes for the VE198 and VE208. I have the former, and for that one, it doesn’t even list 1280 x 720 (it does for the VE208). Also, one other person with a monitor of the same resolution as mine says that 720p games fill the screen vertically, but the left and right are slightly cut off. At this point, I figure it’s not worth the risk unless I find an HDMI-to-DVI cable for cheap to confirm the whole situation.

10

I got my HDMI to DVI cable at best buy in person for like $7. not a bad pickup :slight_smile:

And I have not even tested the 16:9 monitor setting on 2i, although the comment about it increasing the play field makes sense. lots of space for mostly close up gameplay means wasted space. shrug

Stinks about the monitor not supporting 720p :frowning:

11

I am partially wrong there, I didn’t realize there are devices with DVI ports that could support HDCP or a DVI to HDMI adapter where the source device supports HDCP.
Most of my experinces, the device with the DVI port didn’t support HDCP, even if that device has a HDMI port as well.

Sometimes a firmware or driver update can fix this (and sometimes it doesn’t).

My old (not current) video card on my PC refuses to support HDCP via DVI, although the card has a HDMI port and even the drivers would allow for it.
I also forgot my current monitor setup for my PC uses a DVI (and not HDMI) cable and supports HDCP just fine.