HDMI instead of VGA: screen colors slightly "off"

[Ailes]

I've been playing on my PC screen via VGA for a long while (using a VGA-to-DVI adapter because my PC has no native VGA connection). I'm trying to use HDMI now (because, I dunno, it's supposed to be better or something?).

I have both connections active now. The screen menu on Windows 10 gives me options like "duplicate screen" or "use screen 1 only" or "use screen 2 only" with 1 being HDMI and 2 being VGA (it should be called something like that, I don't know because my OS isn't in English language).

When I only activate the HDMI connection the colors seems a little different, more to the gray. Black isn't as black and white not as white as I would have it with VGA/DVI active, but with a slight gray tint/less "deep" or whatever you call it.

When I activate both connections ("duplicate" the screen as Windows would call it) and view the HDMI input it looks just like I used to know it from the VGA/DVI connection.

What could be the reason for this? I tried two HDMI cables from different origin (the one came with my PS4 I think, the other is from Amazon with some small label saying "Amazon basics") but both give me same results, so the cables are probably not faulty.

I guess I can keep the "duplicate" setting enabled and have both the HDMI and VGA cables connected to my PC for now, but that kinda defeats the purpose of the HDMI connection (unless HDMI has advantages I don't see yet, like, I don't know, less screen tearing when I get more FPS than my screen can handle?).

[Sticky Honeybuns]

There can be a difference between colors depending on the output you choose and this is normal. Hdmi and VGA are completely different. VGA carries an analog RGB signal whereas an HDMI cable carries a digital signal. This is why you are seeing a difference. HDMI is better for today's monitors but I don't know what you are using. Stay with HDMI.

Most monitors do not come calibrated so when you switch to HDMI you are seeing the effects of a non calibrated screen. If the LCD is new enough you can find calibration settings online. Or you can just mess with the settings in the OSD until you get it right.

[Ailes]

Thanks but why does HDMI look the same when I use the "duplicate screens" setting, and I only notice differences when I deactivate the parallel VGA input?

[darkkterror]

HDMI can output multiple different color formats compared to VGA. I would look into what color format is being used when only the HDMI connection is enabled. In the Nvidia Control Panel this setting is under Change resolution. I don't know off hand where it would be in AMD's control panel or Intel's.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes there is not just the connection at hand; but your OS/GPU Settings, as well as the settings on your Display.

[Blaagh]

by default the gpu driver is set to use limited RGB range but you need to set it to full range