
Privacy Policy




				Register

				Password ?


			Tips

DVI Guide - Connectors and Cables Explained

What is DVI?

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is a standard developed by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG), which allows digital flat panel displays, monitors, projectors and plasma screens to be connected using a single connector. The DVI interface is able to support both digital and analogue signals over a single cable.

What are the advantages of DVI?

Traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays use an analogue signal to receive image data from the computers graphics card. For this reason, early graphics cards needed to convert their native digital signal into analogue in order to support CRT monitors.

LCD monitors are digital display devices, but when they were first introduced they needed to be able to accept and adapt this analogue signal to ensure compatibility with the majority of available computers. In order for the LCD to accept the computer's analogue output, the signal had to be reconverted to digital.

Since both the computer and the LCD digital monitor accept and transmit digital signals, the process of translating digital to analogue is fundamentally unnecessary. The DVI digital connection removes this digital – analogue – digital conversion process, and so removes inaccuracies and information loss due to each conversion process.

DVI, at standard cable lengths (up to 7.5m), suffers none of the problems traditionally associated with analogue interfaces, such as noise, “sparkles”, “ghosting”, “snow”, poor colour matching and “softness” caused by loss of sharpness.

The DVI interface has proven to be extremely versatile; it provides manufacturers with the flexibility to support digital devices while remaining backwards compatible with analogue devices.

DVI Connection Types

DVI-D Single Link – this Digital only connection supports digital only displays with screen resolutions of up to 1920 x 1080. DVI-D Dual Link – similar to single link, this connection uses a second data link and supports much higher resolutions, such as 2048 x 1536 (QXGA). Click here to see our range of DVI-D Dual Link cables. DVI-A, Analogue – this rarely used cable connects only the analogue RGB signals. DVI-I Single Link – this connection incorporates both the digital and analogue signals in a single cable. This means the cable can send a digital-to-digital or an analogue-to-analogue signal (for use with an analogue display). Click here for our DVI-I Single Link cables. DVI-I Dual Link – similar to DVI-I Single Link, but with a second data link for higher resolutions. This connection incorporates both the digital and analogue signals in a single cable. This means the cable can send a digital-to-digital or an analogue-to-analogue signal. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) – For use with Plasma and High Definition TVs, projectors and LCD Screens. HDMI cables combine the digital video signal of DVI with multi-channel audio, and control signals. Additionally, the HDMI standard includes a feature called HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to protect material from being copied across the digital interface. Click here to see our HDMI cable range, and here for our HDMI to DVI cables.
	DVI-D Single Link Male

	DVI-D Dual Link Male

	DVI-I Single Link Male

	DVI-I Dual Link Male

	DVI-D Female

	DVI-I Female

	HDMI Type A Male	HDMI Type A Female

Maximum distance between computers

With standard DVI cables you can extend the distance for digital monitors with fixed cables and connections, by up to 7.5m. Please note that cable lengths over 7.5m are above the recommended length laid down by the DDWG. Using longer cables may result in image degradation or loss of picture, but to some extent this also depends on the performance of your graphics card and monitor. Please also remember that every additional male-female connection you make can lower the quality of the signal transmission. However, for long distance solutions, we recommend you use our DVI-D Single Link SLD (Super Long Distance) cables. These cables are specially designed for longer transmission lengths.

RF-BLOK Connector

In keeping with the LINDY tradition of premium quality computer connection technology, all LINDY DVI-D and SLD Cables use a rugged construction RF-BLOK shielded design that ensures optimum performance from your flat panel monitor. LINDY RF-BLOK cables use a one-piece metal block EMI/RF shield that gives reduced interference, and increased insulation resistance of up to 25%. The innovative interconnect design means there is no soldering required in the assembly of the cable. The design and excellent RF shielding also means that there is no requirement for a ferrite core, so the cable is less stressed and more flexible – an advantage when the cable needs to be bent in tight spaces.

DVI Adapters

LINDY DVI Adapters allow different monitors and graphics cards to be connected to the DVI interface. A wide range is available including ADC, DFP, VGA, P&D and HDMI versions.

back