What are DVI Cables?
DVI-enabled graphic cards use DVI cables to make use of Digital Visual Interface or Digital Video Interface. By using these cables, the benefit of using flat panel displays can be maximized.
The analog cathode ray tube or CRT monitor utilizes the VGA or Video Graphics Interface. This interface helps in converting digital signals from the graphic card into analog signals and then these signals are sent to the monitor. Because of this conversion, minute distortions are created in the signal. As the flat panels displays are digital, pure digital output can be achieved with a DVI interface present on the graphic card. Also, the image achieved is sharper.
DVI connectors or cables come in various types. Some are able to transfer digital as well as analog signals. As the market transformed from CRT and VGA monitors to digital ones, the digital interface acted as a bridge. The following are the main types of DVI cables:
DVI-DL (Dual Link): There can be a single link or dual link DVI cables. The dual link DVI cables have better signal quality and greater speeds. It can also utilize additional “pipeline” to provide extremely high resolutions. The large screen displays which require high resolution of 2.3 million pixels utilize dual link cables. But, 1.3 million pixels is the native resolution for most 17-inch and 19-inch digital displays.
DVI-D (Digital, for use with digital displays): DVI graphic cards are connected to digital displays using these cables. This eliminates the need for analog conversion as they transfer only digital to digital signals. Moreover, CRT displays cannot be used with these cables.
DVI-I (Integrated, for use with either display): These cables can work as analog to analog or digital to digital. However, they do not convert analog to digital or digital to analog. DVI graphics card can be connected to a digital display using these cables. Alternatively, the VGA interface of a DVI card can be connected to an analog display.
DVI-A (Analog, for use with analog displays): Digital signals are converted into analog signals when these cables are used to connect DVI cards to analog displays. But from digital to analog conversion, some of the purity of the signal is lost. But it is still considered superior to the VGA interface.
Before buying a DVI cable, one should take the help of a knowledgeable person so that the right cables are bought for your components. But various other standards like the UDI (Unified Display Interface) and the DisplayPort have superseded the DVI standard.
Category: Technology