DVI is being phased out in favor of HDMI. Pretty much the only thing that uses DVI now is Apple computers, though they may of started using HDMI now (any Mac users can chime in here)
OK, some examples, please?
I buy lots of computers, both Mac and Windows, and NONE of them have HDMI. Desktop models all have DVI and laptops are now moving to Displayport, mainly because it uses a much smaller interface. The physical size of the DVI connector is big limiting factor on laptop design.
HDMI is a consumer interface. It's not used in pro video equipment, and for computers, it's primarily a way to use a PC as a 'media center'. (Yeah, like I want a PC in my living room next to my TV.) Everyone who has a LCD computer display (not TV) that uses HDMI, please say 'aye'. Anyone? (crickets.)
If you buy computers for any kind of business use, the idea that DVI is being phased out is laughable. I went to Dell's website and found ONE monitor under $500 that included HDMI, out of over 3 dozen Dell LCD monitors. I have over 100 LCD's at my company that support DVI or VGA, and none that support HDMI, so guess what kind of interface I'm going to buy?
Besides, you can buy a DVI-HDMI cable for $20. So you can always hook a DVI up to HDMI with no trouble. (You can also go the other way.)
Funny thing is, I can run my laptop's DVI output to a VGA adapter, plug that into the PC port (VGA) input on my Sony, and the result is stunning clarity. Good ole VGA ain't dead yet.
For what it's worth, Displayport will probably supplant DVI on the computer side of things (bypassing HDMI completely.) First, it's royalty-free. Second, it's much more extensible, and third, it allows for less expensive monitors at the same resolution as HDMI. Apple is the first major company to market using Displayport, and has indicated it will transition its hardware to that technology going forward. Intel was working on an alternative, but it's thrown in the towel and is supporting Displayport, so look for Intel to support it on the motherboard sometime next year.
Oh, and Vizio is a fine brand. I did not mean to slight it. I've spent many hours watching one and think it does a fine job. The only downside to less expensive TV's is they sometimes have fewer inputs than you'd like. Unless you are a videophile, the vast majority of TV's on the market perform very well.
Finally, for sets 40" and smaller, 720p is fine. Most folks can't see any difference even on 46" sets. Start getting into 52" and above, and that's where it really begins to make a difference. Same is pretty much true for the 120hz refresh. (And a lot of that is marketing, really depends on how it's done.) Heck, a good upconverting DVD player can take a standard definition DVD (480p) and make it look great on a 46" set.
If it looks good to you, and works with what you have, then that's all that matters.
tms
