DVI or D-Sub Monitor

[Jennifer]

Hi folks,
I just bought a new monitor, it came with two cables, a DVI and a D-Sub.
I'm only able to hook-up the D-Sub, and I was hoping to be able to use the DVI. I have a GeForce 3 graphic's card and I was hoping to be able to plug into that, but apparently not :confused: What do I need to use the DVI cable plug-in? How much would a new part be? And would it be worth it.

Thanks,
Jenn...

[Budfred]

I believe you need a video card that outputs a digital signal to use a DVI plug. If your video card does do this already, you would just need an adapter, but most video cards produce an analog signal.

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the reply Bud,
Would I lose any quality using an adapter? I would rather go that route then having to buy a new video card since I payed.........hmm, I think around two hundred dollars for my video card.

Thanks,
Jenn...

[mjc]

Basically, the d-sub connector is the adapter....

You can't connect a digital output to an analog input or the other way around, either.

If your video card does not have the required digital output to use for the digital input on the monitor then that s all you can do.

[Budfred]

I don't think you would lose any quality, you would just get an analog signal. This is assuming that your monitor can handle an analog signal. You may want to wait for someone who knows more about this, since I am not sure about the conversion. I installed a DVI card in a computer for my sister and used an analog adapter, but the card was designed to be able to be used with analog monitors as well as digital monitors.

[Jennifer]

Thanks so much for the quick repsonses,
So after hearing what you all said, I guess I need a new video card to do the trick ?

Thanks again,
Jenn...

[Budfred]

Actually, I think mjc is saying to use the D-sub cable and that this will work, but I may not be understanding him either.

[mjc]

Your current card uses an analog output, so if you have both the analog and digital inputs on the monitor you will need to either get a new card to be able to use the digital input or just continue to use the analog.