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What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it?
Wednesday, 30 April, 2008
What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? I have no idea as to what they are for, how they can be used. What can you connect to them.
(Originally posted July 2002)
Raymond Korn, Balwyn, VIC
 You should try this Wikipedia entry, In my opinion Wikipedia is always an excellent place to check for this sort of information. Like any other on-line resource, always double-check what you read. (Yes, that applies to HelpStation too.)
And Apple says:
What is a DVI port?
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface, and is a standard for connecting computers to digital monitors. The DVI port provides a pure digital video signal to a digital flat-panel display or projector. Using a digital signal for the entire path maintains the image quality at the highest level, because the signal is not degraded as a result of a digital-to-analog conversion. Using an external display with a PowerBook G4 is easy. After you connect the powered-on display to the system, it will automatically detect the presence of the display and instantly begin sending video to it.
Datapro says:
What is DVI?
DVI stands for (D)igital (V)ideo (I)nterface.
DVI is a new form of video interface technology made to maximize the quality of flat panel LCD monitors and high-
end video graphics cards. It is a replacement for the P&D Plug & Display standard, and a step up from the digital-only
DFP format for older flat panels. DVI is becoming increasingly popular with video card manufacturers, and most cards
purchased include both a VGA and a DVI output port.
WHAT ARE THE DVI FORMATS ?
There three types of DVI connections:
1. DVI-D (Digital)
2. DVI-A (Analog)
3. DVI-I (Integrated Digital/Analog)
DVI-D - True Digital Video
DVI-D format is used for direct digital connections between source video (namely, video cards) and digital LCD (or rare CRD) 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 back into a digital signal. DVI-D eliminates the analog conversion process and improves the connection between source and display.
DVI-A - High-Res Analog
DVI-A format is used to carry a DVI signal to an analog display, such as a CRD monitor or and HDTV. Although some signal quality is lost from the digital to analog conversion, it still transmits a higher quality picture than standard VGA.
DVI-I - The Best of Both Worlds
DVI-I format is an integrated cable which is capable of transmitting either a digital-to-digital signal or an analog-to-analog signal, but it will not work transmitting a digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital signal.
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. Make sure that you know what format each part of your
equipment is before you purchase any DVI cables. Only equipment with a DVI port labelled 'DVI-I' will accept both a DVI-D and DVI-A source signal.
NOTE: Many manufacturers will use DVI ports with all available pin holes open. This does not mean that the port is DVI-I. It is a precautionary measure to prevent pins breaking off if the wrong type of cable is inserted. Verify the DVI format of the port from the label, manual, or manufacturer.
WHAT ARE SINGLE AND DUAL LINKS ?
The DVI-D and DVI-I formats are available in either Single or Dual link connectors. These cables send information using a
format called TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling). Single link cables use one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, while dual links use two. The dual link effectively doubles the power of transmission and provides an increase of speed and signal quality; i.e. a single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1080, while a dual link can display a resolution of 2048 x 1536.
How to Recognize a DVI Cable
There are two variables in every DVI connector cable, 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 or not the cable is single- or dual-link:
A solid 27-pin set (rows of 8) for a dual- link cable
Two separated 9-pin sets (rows of 6) for a single-link cable
NOTE: To distinguish from DVI-I and DVI-A, check the pinset. A solid 27-pin set is for a DVI-l; a separated 8-pin and 4-pin
set is for DVI-A.
And here are many other mentions of "DVI" in HelpStation questions. Paul Zucker
 Reader solutions
Patrick McKendryPosted: 04/05/2008 Converting DVD or VOB to DV AVI for editing I forgot to tell you, i use Virtual Dub, Ulead Media Studio 7 VE from June 2006 issue of PC User. bert loretoPosted: 03/05/2008 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Set top boxes and DVD players with DVI outputs typically have an under 30Khz horizontal scan frequency AND arent necessarily compatible with DVI inputs on LCD's that usually accept signals of 30Khz and above.
If you were to connect them, you would get an [OUT OF RANGE] message on screen. Annoying!
It caught me out thinking could easily do this for far less cost than a buying 22" HD TV for bedroom a couple years ago and now I have a spare LCD and a useless EXPENSIVE HD setop, The standalone LCDS suitable for under 30Khz are off this planet! Cheaper and better to buy an LCD HD tV!!
DVI's ain't DVI's!!
Goodluck
Bert ZMingPosted: 30/04/2008 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? so my 65 inch rear projection tv has a DVI/HDTV port. Im planning on Buying a Dell desktop to sat next to it, and use the tv as the monitor of the desktop, is there a way that the sound of the computer can come out from the TV too?
(Certainly. The simplest way is to get a cable that goes from a stereo mini-jack plug to a pair of RCA plugs. Then connect it between the sound card and the TV audio in. -PZ) RoneelPosted: 30/03/2008 What type of computer do you need to use the cable Im not sure if it will fit in my computer
(What? Where? -PZ) johnPosted: 13/03/2008 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Is it possible to hook up a Apple 23" HD monitor to my Dell 600m and use the Apple monitor as the main monitor?
(Yes, that should be fine. -PZ) yertPosted: 16/12/2007 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? don't got one nareshjikbn2Posted: 28/10/2007 pl note that if somebody wants to connect two lcd monitor two seperate dvi output from a graphics card is required then and then only we can see half picture in one monitor and another half in second monitor which will result in a large screen view ultimately by keeping both monitors side by side
and if you connects both monitor with anyway like special cable from both lcd and then both mearge in a single dvi output pin which is quite commen in most of low and midrange dvi out misleading (dual dvi out and one pin vga out) the ultimate reasult will be a mirror pictur in both lcd monitors means you cant enlarge your view by spliting it motoPosted: 03/10/2007 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? can i buy one in space
(If your spaceship is working well, why not. -PZ) StephenPosted: 01/09/2007 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Thanks. I have a DVI video card output and just bought a DVI monitor and the quality is significantly better. KuldeepPosted: 17/07/2007 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? can i get the brief technical info on DVI technology...its uses and technical advantages along with customers FAQ's
(Yes, you certainly can. Check the Wikipedia link at the top of the answer Kuldeep. -PZ) KhairulPosted: 01/04/2007 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Can I connect my pc DVI-I to my HDTV DVI-I using DVI-D single link cable?
(Yes, you should b able to. -PZ) GramozPosted: 18/12/2006 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Can u conect a g-force card with two big screens only with DVI ports
(If a graphics card has two DVI outputs, then yes you can. -PZ) MargueritePosted: 25/10/2006 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? I have two ports coming out of my pc lcd monitor. They look like usb ports. Are they dvi"s? Sorry, I am not very pc literate.
(Those ports may even be USB ports, because some LCD monitors include a USB hub. Take a look at the picture above to see what a DVI port looks like. They about the size of the end of a box of matches, so they're quite large. -Paul Zucker) DanPosted: 17/10/2006 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? is there any way that it would be possible to connect a games console for eg an xbox360 to my moniter via a DVI cable.
(If the console has DVI out and the monitor has DVI in, then certainly. -Paul Zucker) Posted: 11/10/2006 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? can DVI port be connected to DVD player?
(Remember that a DVI port is either IN or OUT. If your DVI port is on a PC it will be OUT and the port on the DVD player will also be OUT so nothing will happen if you connect them together. But both would send a picture to a monitor with a DVI IN port. Otherwise it would be like using a hose to connect two taps together and wondering where the water was. -Paul Zucker) scornPosted: 07/04/2006 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? can my DVI port be connected to a tv so that my tv will show my monitor?
(Yes, if you mean the PC's DVI port feeding out to the TV's DVI port. -Paul Zucker) Richard DriskillPosted: 17/11/2005 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Not a solution, just a ancillary comment.
Datapro says: "The dual link effectively doubles the power of transmission and provides an increase of speed and signal quality; i.e. a single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1080, while a dual link can display a resolution of 2048 x 1536."
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While this is a 'PC' topic, it should be pointed out that the expression is not complete. Since the article does not address monitors/television displays, it should be noted that -NO- plasma/LCD panel currently manufactured in the HTS arena is capable of -displaying- any resolution higher than 720 X 1280. LCD/plasma HTS displays are -fixed address- displays (just like the computer monitors from which they were designed), but are -not- produced at any higher pixel matrix than 720 X 1280. Although LCD/plasma displays in the HTS arena that ultimately process HDTV signals (internally or externally) can accept 1080 signals only through downconvertion (scaling) of the 1080 to 720 (the maximum native resolution) for visual display as the matrix simply does not have the pixel count. jamiePosted: 30/09/2005 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? what is the difference between DVI ports and monitor ports. why do some people use them and others dont. I have a lcd monitor but i dont use the DVI.. anyone have any ideas? Kenneth YasPosted: 10/06/2005 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Do you know of a converter box that can take the DVI signal and convert it to SDI (Serial Digital Interface)? I work for a nonlinear system and HD camera rental house in Hollywood, and we are trying to route a DVI signal out of a G5 and tape it in a standard definition SDI format such as Digital Betacam.
Thanks!
Ken KiffPosted: 02/02/2005 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? Has anyone heard of 10m DVI dual link cables that wont transmit the data, ( i think it is because of the length, having too high a resistence), is there any way to get around this, without a signal repeater? (I am using it between a computer and a projector)
Thanks MerlinoPosted: 28/11/2004 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? The information provided was excellent and was upto the point. It was elaborative and unique. RodrigoPosted: 24/07/2004 re: What is a DVI Port and what can I do with it? What could happen if I force to connect DIV-A connector into a DVI-D removing the pins above and below the blade?
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