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All About DVI
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DataPro Tech Info > All About DVI |
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A Complete Guide to the Digital Video Interface
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Not sure what cable you need?
We have a DVI cable guide!
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WHAT IS DVI ?
DVI stands for (D)igital (V)ideo (I)nterface.
DVI is a popular form of video interface technology made to
maximize the quality of flat panel LCD monitors and modern video graphics cards.
It was a replacement for the short-lived P&D
Plug & Display standard, and a step up from the digital-only
DFP format for older flat panels. DVI cables are very
popular with video card manufacturers, and most
cards nowadays include one or two DVI output ports.
In addition to being used as the standard computer interface,
the DVI standard was, for a short while, the digital transfer method of choice
for HDTVs and other high-end video
displays for TV, movies, and DVDs. Likewise, even a few
top-end DVD players have featured DVI outputs in addition
to the high-quality analog Component Video. The digital market
has now settled on the HDMI interface
for high-definition media delivery, with DVI being more exclusive to
the computer market.
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WHAT ARE THE DVI FORMATS ?
There are three types of DVI connections: DVI-Digital, DVI-Analog, and DVI-Integrated
DVI-D - True Digital Video
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If you are connecting a DVI computer to a DVI monitor, this is the cable you want.
DVI-D cables are used for direct digital connections between
source video (namely, video cards) and LCD monitors. This provides a faster, higher-quality image
than with analog, due to the nature of the digital format.
All video cards initially produce a digital video signal, which
is converted into analog at the VGA output. The analog signal
travels to the monitor and is re-converted to a digital
signal. DVI-D eliminates the analog conversion process and
improves the connection between source and display.
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DVI-A - High-Res Analog
DVI-I - The Best of Both Worlds
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DVI-I cables are integrated cables which are capable of
transmitting either a digital-to-digital signal or an
analog-to-analog signal. This makes it a more versatile cable, being
usable in either digital or analog situations.
Like any other format, DVI digital and analog formats are
non-interchangeable. This means that a DVI-D cable will not
work on an analog system, nor a DVI-A on a digital system.
To connect an analog source to a digital display, you'll need
a VGA to DVI-D electronic convertor.
To connect a digital output to an analog monitor, you'll need
to use a DVI-D to VGA convertor.
see all DVI-I cables
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WHAT ARE SINGLE AND DUAL LINKS ?
The Digital formats are available in DVI-D Single-Link and
Dual-Link as well as DVI-I Single-Link and Dual-Link format
connectors. These DVI cables send information using a digital information
format called TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling).
Single link cables use one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, while dual
links use two. The dual link DVI pins effectively double the power of
transmission and provide an increase of speed and signal quality;
i.e. a DVI single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1200,
while a DVI dual link can display a resolution of 2560 x 1600.
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HOW FAR IS THE DVI MAXIMUM LENGTH?
The official DVI specification mandates that all DVI equipment must
maintain a signal at 5 meters (16 feet) in length. But many manufacturers
are putting out much stronger cards and bigger monitors, so the maximum
length possible is never exact.
Although the mandated DVI spec is 5 meters, we do carry cables up to 25 feet,
and have succesfully extended them even longer than that (although results do vary
depending on hardware). For guaranteed signal quality on long runs, you should
consider using a powered DVI signal booster.
There is a common misconception regarding digital video cables, which is the
belief that an "all digital" signal is an either-or result: either the cable
works, or it doesn't. In reality, while there is no signal degredation in digital
video like there is with analog, cable quality and length can make a difference in
your picture.
When a DVI run is unstable, you may see artifacts and "sparkling" pixels on your display;
further degredation tends to flicker out or shake, and the ultimate sign of loss
is a blank display. In-house tests on varying equipment have produced strong signals up
to 9 and 10 meters long. Tests at 12 meters generally resulted in signal noise and
an unusuable image on the display, and anything longer rendered no image at all.
Keep in mind that when using DVI-I cables at extensive lengths, you
may not be seeing a digitally-clear image on your screen. Because analog
has a much longer run, your display may auto-switch once the digital signal
is too weak. For this reason, long runs are best done with VGA (for analog)
or HDMI (for digital).
If you have no option other than DVI, make sure you're getting the best
image by using DVI-D cables and verifing that your display is set to digital input.
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HOW DO I KNOW WHICH CABLE TO USE?
Determining which type of DVI cable to use for your products is
critical in getting the right cable the first time. Check both of
the female DVI plugs to determine what signals they are compatible
with.
- If one or both connections are DVI-D, you need a DVI-D cable.
- If one or both connections are DVI-A, you need a DVI-A cable.
- If one connection is DVI and the other is VGA, and the DVI is analog-compatible, you need a DVI to VGA cable or a DVI/VGA adaptor.
- If both connections are DVI-I, you may use any DVI cable, but a DVI-I cable is recommended.
- If one connection is analog and the other connection is digital, there is no way to connect them with
a single cable. You'll have to use an electronic converter box, such as our analog VGA to digital DVI/HDMI converter.
If you still have questions, look at our DVI cable guide for an easy-to-use chart to
help you find the right cable for you.
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HOW TO RECOGNIZE A DVI CABLE
There are two variables in every DVI connector, and
each represents one characteristic.
The flat pin on one side denotes whether the cable is
digital or analog:
- A flat pin with four surrounding pins is either DVI-I or DVI-A
- A flat pin alone denotes DVI-D
The pinsets vary depending on whether the cable is single-link, dual-link, or analog:
- Two separated 9-pin sets (rows of 6) for a single-link cable
- A solid 24-pin set (rows of 8) for a dual-link cable
- A separated 8-pin and 4-pin set is for DVI-A.
DVI Connector Guide |
| DVI-D Single Link |
DVI-A |
DVI-I Single Link |
| Digital Only |
Analog Only |
Digital & Analog |
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| Two sets of nine pins, and a solitary flat blade |
One set of eight pins and one set of four pins, with four contacts around the blade |
Two sets of nine pins and four contacts around the blade |
| DVI-D Dual Link |
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DVI-I Dual Link |
| Digital Only | | Digital & Analog |
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| Three rows of eight pins and a solitary flat blade |
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Three rows of eight pins and four contacts around the blade |
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List of DataPro DVI Cables:
1141 DVI-D Single Digital Video Cable - for simple computer/monitor setups
1142 DVI-D Dual Digital Video Cable - the most DVI cable for most applications
1149 DVI-D Dual Digital Video Extension Cable - for a longer DVI connection
1143 DVI-I Panelmount Extension Cable - for installing a DVI port on a plate or bulkhead
1145 DVI-I Analog to VGA/SVGA Video Cable -for connecting a DVI computer to a VGA monitor
1145-A DVI Analog Male to VGA Female Adaptor - for converting a DVI port into a VGA port
1145-B DVI Analog Female to VGA Male Adaptor - for converting a VGA port into a DVI port
1146 DVI-A Analog Video Cable - for analog-only signals over a DVI connector
1148 DVI-I Dual Digital & Analog - for dual digital/analog data capabilities
1140 DVI-I DIG/ANA Extension Cable (M/F) - for extending both digital and analog signals
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Written by Anthony van Winkle
for DataPro International Inc.
Unauthorized duplication strictly prohibited.
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