Seeking Correct HDMI Adapter...?

Hoping someone is willing to help me figure this out.

When I got my last Dell Desktop (January, 2008) it did not have an HDMI (hdmi?) port.

Now, I have another monitor (with an hdmi port), and I have an hdmi cable (two cables, actually), but cannot connect the monitor via hdmi.

Can anyone tell me if this (*link below) would be the correct adapter (all four ends of my two cables are male):

* http://www.sfcable.com/ADA-AV54007X.html?c=dvi-hdmi-displayport-adapters

Somehow, I just don't think it's correct...?

Maybe it's THIS one (or is this the same as the first link, please?) ---> http://www.texastvmountsplus.com/tcd2029.html

 

Does your laptop have a DVI port?

 

It's a desktop lol


And yes IMO it is the correct adapter (both are the same)

 

you may want to do some reading up on the subject of DVI vs HDMI as they don't differ much in quality but it depends on your use really i guess.

 

Will do ... I had recently heard/saw something about DVI, but have no clue, really, what it is...

I am (or at least, "was") HOPING, that the HDMI cable is going to "help" this monitor (look "ANY" better, or "act/behave" any better), although it's only 720P (720"p"?), so again, I really don't know (? ... don't know much about anything, "technological" ... "technically-speaking", that is haha).

All I really "know" is the little I've been taught here (MG's), and that which I've been able to glean from hanging-around here for a few years. I don't (and never have) worked in ANY sort of tech-industry, so I'm self-taught, and know just enough to be DANGEROUS...to MYSELF~!

So, onward I go, to try to find-out something about "DVI"...to purchase the Belkin adapter (which is HALF the price of the other), and hope that it is in fact, what I need, to adapt the aforementioned 720p monitor, via hdmi cable, to my nearly four year-old Dell Inspiron 531.

Thanks~!
PS ~ I suppose the question I should have asked is: Will that adapter, adapt a male, hdmi cable, to the "VGA" port, on my desktop, please (and you're saying: "yes" - correct?)?

 

ok...actually, THIS appears closer to what I need, except that I need the left end of this cable, to be FE-male, not male...I already have all the male ends I need...anyone know where I can find THAT, please?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SUELLC...e=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B004SUELLC

 

No, it will not. You cannot use your analog VGA output to connect to the HDMI input on your monitor, as it requires a digital signal. If you have a DVI output on your PC, you can use one of the adapters to connect to your monitor with the HDMI cables you have.
http://www.certtechs.com/escuela/windows%20xp%20learning/windows%20xp%20english/personalize%20the%20pc/Change%20the%20default%20program%20Windows%20XP%20uses%20to%20open%20a%20specific%20type%20of%20file_clip_image003.jpg

 

EXCELLENT-BEAUTIFUL-GORGEOUS-PERFECT - THAT, is exactly what I needed...to SEE what we're talking about...

I believe all I need to do, is GET the DVI "card" (right? Correct terminology??), install/mount it, then have the adapter, plug it in, and hook-up (plug-in) the HDMI cable...BINGO~!~ Yes, please??

NOW, I think I can make this happen - THANK YOU A BUNCH - MUCH Appreciated~!! ~!~

 

In a quik search, this appears to be a "decent" (G00D!!) one, yes??

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CjCWw0fzTCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=22-171543512-2

 

That's good. With an HDMI port, you don't even need to worry about the adapter.

 

OK.

DVI, and HDMI are equivalent digital signals. The beauty of HDMI is it can also do sound.

The two adapters you came across first, will allow you to make the DVI port on your desktop a normal HDMI connection.

As far as a better picture, the naked eye probably won't notice. It's just a difference of interface.

My graphics card is hooked up to my TV (HDMI input) with this:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-HDMI-D...3J1G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1316972479&sr=8-3

If you would like to upgrade from your integrated graphics, you can add an aftermarket video card, but unless you are gaming or something resource intensive like that, it isn't absolutely necessary.

Are you looking to game, watch movies, or just surf the 'net?

 

Oh, yes, now I see it...I didn't even notice at first, but this "card" has an HDMI port built-in (what an idiot I am)...

And mekanic, I surf the net would like t watch ("stream"??) the occasional movie, and my 10 year-old son likes to play games sometimes (rainy days, in the evenings, etc.) when he comes-over, but nothing heavy (I don't think?), and not like watch movies all the time while doing 10 other things on the PC at the same time.

You said; "it isn't absolutely necessary", but how else am I going to use the HDMI cable, please?

Surely I must have a card, or an adapter - or "SOMETHING" to hook (connect) the cable to...??

 

On the left is HDMI, middle is VGA and right is DVI. Tell us all the ports your monitor has and all the ports your PC has. If your PC only has VGA then you may need a card unless the monitor also has a VGA connector.

http://www.what-is-my-computer.com/images/hdmi-vga-dvi.jpg

 

I will take pics...of both the monitor and the PC - that will be even better than telling you eh?

Be right back . . . .

 

Rear of my Monitor-Desktop set-up, for Dell Inspiron 531 w/Vista Home-(Basic).

PS - You said; "VGA connector"?? As you can see, the monitor HAS an hdmi port - the PC/Tower does not.

 

Thanks for the pics Glenn. I had reread your post last night and realized that you were currently using the monitor and were trying to improve the appearance.

I agree with VoiD that you probably won't notice much difference between the VGA connectors you are now using and making the HDMI connection.

I'm not a gamer but I would be hard pressed to note any difference between using the digital signal (DVI) or the VGA connection between my PC and monitor.

***
I haven't checked what your onboard graphics specifications are but they should be able to output to that monitor OK if it is a 2008 machine. I don't want to dissuade you from getting a graphics card which should improve your performance just want to let you know upgrading the graphics car or monitor will be the improvement not necessarily the HDMI connection.

Maybe someone can decipher what your current gpu is capable of or if it is the likely problem: Nvidia integrated video (DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 Graphics Processing Unit)

 

Thank you sach2 . . . thank you very much...

 

I really can't see why a 720p monitor would look bad enough that one would actually complain about it, unless the unit is faulty or the onboard graphics are. My bet is on the graphics subsystem on your motherboard. As mentioned above, HDMI by itself will do nothing to improve things.

If you're going with the Sapphire card(why did you choose a half-height card?) make sure that you have enough power supply to furnish the card as OEM's like Dell install just enough power as sold. Can you open up your case and check? You would need at least a 400W power supply for that card.

I don't want you to ride the roller coaster of installing the card and see it not working. Also, remember to go into the BIOS and disable the onboard graphics before running the new card. Good luck.

 

Thank you, this has all turned into very good future info for me to refer to now, as I am needing to turn my attention (and my funds) toward a laptop or notebook or netbook or "something" (??) along those lines (something "portable") . . . in fact, I plan to make this purchase in the next 48-72-or-so hours, and really have not made a final decision on what it is that I "need", other than to know that I only have "about" $400 to gamble, er, to "play" with.

As far as a "half-height card", I didn't realize that I had chosen what it appears Radeon is referring to as a "Low-Profile" card...I was looking at (and trying to digest/understand) all the specs...or at east as many of them as I could in a short amount of time.

Thank you all again, and here I go-a-hunting for my best deal on a $300-$400 PORTABLE unit . . . !~?~! . . .