SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

I just bought a new monitor and had the option of using either HDMI or USB cables. I figured the HDMI was more up-to-date, and the monitor brochure suggested using it, so I used it. Hooked it up to my HP laptop running Windows 7. The resolution on the monitor screen was terrible. I adjusted the monitor's focus, etc., to no avail. I was just about to repack the monitor and return it when I decided to try one last thing. Just for the heck of it I switched to the USB cable and the results were incredible. Very sharp picture on the monitor. Can anyone please explain this?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Was it USB or a Display Link cable?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

For HDMI you need a good quality cable. Often the "it came with it" cables are quite substandard. I think the last HDMI cable I bought was about $70. They're not cheap. Did the cable you used have HDMI connectors on both ends or a conversion plug on the end that mated with your laptop? If your laptop has an HDMI output and you are using a quality cable you should not have problems and it may just be that your settings are off. If you have to adapt it to your laptop's video then it probably isn't HDMI capable and you are better off with the USB cable.

amehta Loc: Boston

The resolution your laptop was using for the monitor may not have been the monitor's native resolution. If so, you need to go into the graphics properties, select the monitor, and set the resolution to the maximum value. Then it should be very crisp.

gsconsolvo Loc: Ruidoso, New Mexico

Correct :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Thanks everyone for the help. I assumed all HDMI cables were the same. That may be the problem.

gsconsolvo Loc: Ruidoso, New Mexico

They are!!!

amehta Loc: Boston

For long cables (more than 6 or 10 feet), better shielding can matter. For short cables, they're all effectively the same.

bibsthecat Loc: Cold Spring MN

Just do a google search for "are all hdmi cables the same" and every article will say they are. From what I read you need 1.4 if watching 3D. But these seem to be really cheap too.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Which HP laptop do you have? The on board video card

blackest Loc: Ireland

That's odd, I'd like the make and model of both the laptop and the monitor.

I guess the monitor could have display port built in, which is why the USB Cable works.

HDMI is a little odd, I had a sort of related problem with an android tablet connected by hdmi to a monitor but via a dvi adapter. The tablet decided the monitor wasn't trust worthy and output at 640x 480 Straight into another monitor with hdmi instead and it was 1080p , maybe it is the wrong kind of hdmi cable, seems to be a number of versions

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

For short distance, the only advantage to expensive HDMI cable is that the connectors may have better longevity. For noise, there's no advantage of using a $70 HDMI cable or a $2 cable.
However, you should look into using the DVI connector on your laptop to connect an external monitor. That has the best resolution but no sound.

As long as this connection isn't constantly flexed or reconfigure or having a long run over 6 feet (2 meters), then the cheap HDMI cables should be fine.

I think your problem is with the "control panel" setting for dual display and the laptop resolution is not up to the external monitor's specifications.
Check that first.
And if you do have DVI output....USE IT.
DVI is a digital signal so there's no problems with noise immunity and it's your best video connection.

Canonuser Loc: UK and South Africa

This is a complete myth. Research in the UK has just shown that this is not true. Electrical stores perpetuate this myth in order to sell the expensive cables. I have a mega expensive HDMI cable connecting a Blue Ray player to a 46" television. After watching this consumer programme I replaced the cable with a dead cheap one I got from eBay. Guess what, absolutely no difference and still a brilliant picture.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

The span of cable does make for higher noise on HDMI cables over 3 meters in length. I still suggest using the DVI method for external monitors for photo work but to also have audio, you do need an extra audio cable or use an HDMI. 1 to 2 meter or so should be fine for any priced HDMI cable. I use the cheap ones since they just stay connected to big screen tv set and carry the audio too.

You're right....this myth about expensive cabling for digital signals is all BS. It does have merit for long span analog signals and over 2 meters for UHDMI 4K video though.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Narrow down the problem. Take your lap top and cable to local office/computer supply store and ask to try out a monitor that is on display. Try with their cable and then yours... ever hear of a cold solder joint... they look good BUT... not so good as conductors.

Myth, sure, much of what we do is a myth... the old "monster cable" thing for HIFI... ever see the hair thing wires in a speaker? Why on earth would you need to feed them with a welding cable ... Cryogenic treated high purity copper with silver added?.. What crap.

Much of what we do in photography and home computers is likewise well covered with verbal crap, not peanut butter. What ever the situation... start at the finished end and work toward the source. Unless made with lamp cord at home I venture to say that ALL HDMI cords are shielded. The current flow in those wires is miniscule only giving the little green men in your monitor directions on which candle to light, Red, Green, or Blue... The computer does not power the monitor... only tell it information...

There are differences... but probably you would have to search for a poor cable... (very long cables may be an exception) Read the reference for a good education... start at page 8 to get a fast rundown of differences.
http://www.audioquest.com/resource_tools/downloads/whitepapers/HDMI_Demystified-v2-72d.pdf