Why are TFT's with DVI more expensive?

[Diplo]

Why is it that, typically, budget TFT monitors only have analogue connections and not DVI? Surely a DVI connection is simpler and cheaper to incorporate as you don't need any A/D conversion? Why don't TFT manufacturer's make monitors that only have DVI and thus reduce costs?

 

[breez]

Budget TFTs are sold for budget people who usually have only VGA output.

 

[Sxotty]

They are more expensive for the same reason that e-filing is more expensive.
DVI is better even if it is cheaper so they charge more for it.

 

[Diplo]

Budget TFTs are sold for budget people who usually have only VGA output.

But even budget cards, such as GeForce 6200, now have DVI out. I find it odd you can get two identically specced TFTs, with one having DVI input and one only having VGA, and the DVI version is more expensive. Surely DVI -> DVI means simpler electronics, as no conversions are needed, and therefore cheaper prices?

 

[Guden Oden]

DVI monitors have VGA input as well, or at least I have never heard of a DVI-equipped unit that didn't have it. So build cost is likely slightly higher for the DVI version (extra connector, input switch on the front etc), though the difference ought to be very very small.

Anyway, Sxotty's right of course. The price premium is because DVI input is cooler. Meh!

 

[Frank]

There is no direct relation between the production cost and sales price of such products. The sales price is determined by what the market is prepared to pay for it, while the production cost determines your profit, when sold for that amount. It's not as if they just add some margin on top of the production cost. Or even incorporate the cost of development and marketing. The only reason why they do so, is to see what their profit margin would be, and so if it is feasible to produce it in the first place.

 

[pcchen]

Since most motherboards with on-board video still has only D-sub analog connectors, it's almost impossible for low end LCD to eliminate thses connectors. Maybe one day when motherboards all have DVI connectors, DVI only LCD may start to appear.

 

[Guden Oden]

Then they would have to add at least one additional DVI-D connector, because having two inputs is very useful, and many types of equipment only have analog output in addition to low-end PCs. This includes game consoles, DVD players, satellite TV decoders and so on.

 

[Blazkowicz]

there's also the cost of producing two different versions.

Remember the Abit IT7 Max motherboard? with no PS/2, serial, parallel connectors. More expansive than the traditionnal version. You pay more and you get less