Struggling to connect my moniter

kellett

kellett

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Hello

Iv just bought a new monitor (Dell U2412M) and would like to connect it to my laptop (HP dv6-1340sa) which has a VGA port. The monitor was supplied with x1 VGA and x1 DVI. The VGA is a different size to my laptop VGA port? Is there anywhere I can buy a cable with two different sizes? Or is there another route I can go down?

Thanks in advance
Kellett
 
Assuming your laptop has a mini vga port, you can buy an adapter from Maplin or the like or, Ebay if you don't mind waiting for delivery.
 
Your laptop probably has a mini VGA port. There will be adaptors available. Ask Maplin etc.
 
This monitor does not have a VGA connection

It has D-SUB, DVI and DisplayPort
 
Keith W said:
This monitor does not have a VGA connection

It has D-SUB, DVI and DisplayPort
Click to expand...
D-SUB = VGA

Are you trying to connect it to the right port? Have a look at page 2-7 of this manual: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01859609.pdf Assuming this is your PC, you should be connecting via socket 1 for VGA. Having said that, I'd buy an HDMI->DVI connector and connect it via the HDMI port - digital interconnect is better than analogue....
 
Keith W said:
Different connector though
Click to expand...
No it isn't. From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

"[the VGA connector] is also conventionally called RGB connector, D-sub 15, mini sub D15, mini D15, DB-15, HDB-15, HD-15 or HD15"

D-sub actually refers to a range of connectors, all of which have the characteristic D shape. The VGA port is just one of them (as is the serial port/parallel port etc...). "Video" and "d-sub" in the same sentence means VGA port.... Especially as the computer in question only has a single D-sub which is for video...
 
So if the OP has VGA and the monitor has VGA (D-Sub) then why does this thread exists?

It exists because they are different conectors
 
You are missing the point Neil

If they were not different connectors then the OP would not have a problem and this thread would not exist

The OP has already said the VGA on there laptop is not the same size as the VGA (D-Sub) on the monitor, different size = different connector, if they were both the same size then this thread would not exist.



Maybe I am just bot explaining myself very well :thinking:
 
The manual I linked to based on the model number shows a full sized VGA port.
 
I think something is a miss here. I'm not saying they dont exist but I have yet to see such a thing as a mini VGA port. All laptops I have used have a standard size VGA port, they usually are just minus the bits for screwing the cable into.
Certainly other HP's in the DV6 range have a full size port.
 
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Thanks for the quick responses

Apologies apparently I do have a VGA port (full size) but didn't think this was the correct port due to not having the two screw holes? Is there an adapter you can buy for firmer connection?
Was looking at the port next to it which has but looks like a mini DVI.

arad85 said:
D-SUB = VGA

I'd buy an HDMI->DVI connector and connect it via the HDMI port - digital interconnect is better than analogue....
Click to expand...

As I know next to nothing about pc's will there be a significant difference from using a vga-vga or hdmi-dvi?

Kellett
 
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kellett said:
As I know next to nothing about pc's will there be a significant difference from using a vga-vga or hdmi-dvi?
Click to expand...
On fine grained stuff, yes. You will get a patterning called moire as with analogue (i.e. VGA), the pixels won't match exactly 1:1. With a digital connection they will. A DVI<->HDMI convertor is about £2 delivered off ebay.

Glad you're sorted.
 
Top banana will get one ordered
Thanks again for quick responses

Kellett
 
Hello

Back again I have finally got round to connecting my monitor to my laptop, I ordered a HMDI - DVI cable which has seemed to make the monitor blurry and out of focus. I then connected the VGA - VGA cable which made things better but if im honest im still not happy my laptop screen is sharper. Am I missing something here or just being plain stupid?

kellett
 
kellett said:
Hello

Back again I have finally got round to connecting my monitor to my laptop, I ordered a HMDI - DVI cable which has seemed to make the monitor blurry and out of focus. I then connected the VGA - VGA cable which made things better but if im honest im still not happy my laptop screen is sharper. Am I missing something here or just being plain stupid?

kellett
Click to expand...

Looking up the specs your laptop screen is 15.6 inches and a resolution of 1366 x 768 whereas the Dell 24 inches and resolution 1920 x 1200, as neil_g says is set to the correct resolution???

It is possible/likely that the VGA port of the laptop mirrors the setting for the laptop screen so it is in effect stretching/spreading a 1366 x 768 output onto the 1920 x 1200 of the Dell that is why you are seeing such a poor picture.

So what to do next?

I think you will not be able to run both screens at their correct native resolution at the same time.................................try connecting the Dell and go into the screen settings on the laptop (Note ~ if anything like other laptops I have used there is a hot key/Function key that will toggle between laptop screen and the external screen or both together so you may have to toggle to just the Dell?) and look for the resolution dropdown list of available resolution sizes ~ note it might be that the laptop graphics 'card' does not support such a large screen resolution as the Dell in which case until someone else has a solution I am not sure what to suggest???

Edit ~ I forgot about the dual screen capability of Win 7 here is a link that might help?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2089...secondary-monitor-as-the-primary-display.html just have to hope that as I say above the graphics system in your old laptop supports the Dell resolution for such multi screen setup as in the linked page
 
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Yes you were right I was seeing a stretched view. The split screen method has worked and my monitor looks much better. (y) I'm able to choose 1920x1200 for my monitor will this be a true reading/picture or will it improve when I purchase a new computer?
apologies for the non tech lingo.

kellett
 
kellett said:
Yes you were right I was seeing a stretched view. The split screen method has worked and my monitor looks much better. (y) I'm able to choose 1920x1200 for my monitor will this be a true reading/picture or will it improve when I purchase a new computer?
apologies for the non tech lingo.

kellett
Click to expand...

Hi

Glad you have gotten it sorted :)

The thing to remember is that flat LCD type screens have a "native resolution", in the case of the Dell that you have according to the specs I found it is 1920 x 1200...........in practical terms you are now seeing the screen in the way it will work with any PC it is attached but on the same caveat re the resolution but keep in view you also should select in the properties on the laptop the Color Depth of ideally True Color 32 bit, image editing software such as Photoshop is not too demanding on graphics cards (compared to gamin) so what you are seeing now is what to expect when the monitor is attached to any PC provided it is set up correctly. So when you get your new PC if a desktop just make sure to check the same settings to be sure it is AOK

Oh, if you are serious about using the PC for image editing do invest in a calibrator. I use a Spyder 3 Elite
 
kellett said:
will it improve when I purchase a new computer?
Click to expand...
Assuming 32 bit colour depth already, no it won't improve. As Box Brownie has said, investing in a calibrator is worthwhile once you have a decent screen.
 
This is next on my list I have been looking at the Spyder 4 pro. My last question I think as unable to find info on the net. What levels do you set your 'brightness' and 'contrast' on your monitor? or does this not make any difference?

kellett
 
kellett said:
What levels do you set your 'brightness' and 'contrast' on your monitor? or does this not make any difference?
Click to expand...
That's part of the calibration. The standard brightness is set at 120 cd/m2 and contrast should be set to just give a change at the white point (I think that's the right way). I have an eye 1 display pro and it is part of the calibration process with that.
 
kellett said:
This is next on my list I have been looking at the Spyder 4 pro. My last question I think as unable to find info on the net. What levels do you set your 'brightness' and 'contrast' on your monitor? or does this not make any difference?

kellett
Click to expand...

And following on from Andy's (arad85) post ~ I am not sure about your Dell but mine the 2209WA does not have its brightness & contrast adjusted via the calibrator, this had to be done manually as I went through the process. Mine as at last calibration to get 100cd/m2 brightness (I edit in a darkened room) is set at brightness 27 and contrast 75 in other words in broad terms there is no one size fits all ~ you need to have a target cd/m2 figure and that will vary depending on the room lighting and the in part the intended output between 85 to 120 cd/m2 with the lower figure end I read once being used by Pre Press operators?
 
Ahh I understand. Im looking to have everything set up in a low light environment as well, will see how I get on when my calibrator arrives thanks for the advice and help greatly appreciated :)

Kellett
 
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