HDMI To DVI Cable

Why Was HDMI To DVI Cable Technology Was Needed?

Why HDMI to DVI Cable technology was needed? Traditionally, VGA or Video Graphics Array interface was designed to be used with your analog CRT or Cathode Ray Tube monitors. The way it worked was to convert the digital signals it received from graphic cards into analog signals. It would then send these analog signals to the monitor for display. Example, your home entertainment system: your television, DVD player etc, would transfer picture signals using analog video cables in this manner. In fact, the most familiar analog video cables are called S-Video connectors. More specifically, here is these round pin connectors work. S-Video connectors connect the LCD or plasma screen to the DVD player. The sound signals or digital video would have to be converted into analog signals in order for them to travel through the analog cable. Then it would need to be re-converted into digital once received. Over time, this technology has lead to signal degradation that often resulted in minute losses in the output quality. These losses build over time and can result in sever quality loss in your picture and sounds of your media devices.

The answer to this problem was advances in technology that would lead us to the crisp audio and visual quality only found in digital connectors. With the use of DVI or Digital Video Interface cables one achieved the best in superior quality visual and sound output unmatched in technology to date. Some DVI cables can transfer both digital and analog signals. This would prove useful when using intermixed devices. That is to say, devices that have both analog and digital connectors. DVI cables technology was designed to serve as a connection between the media gaps in the market as the market transitions from VGA to CRT monitors. DVI cables were improvements from both the old Plug & Display devices and the digital only DFP formats made for older model flat screen panels. For awhile, DVI cables were the popular and preferred devices for High Definition Televisions and other high end video display units for televisions and DVDs. They were used for direct digital connections between source video and LCD monitors. This technology was much antipated and when finally introduced, everyone believed it was worth the wait. To say the least, DVI technology was exciting. Compared to analog, DVI cables introduced technology that was the fastest, highest quality images of its day. It eliminated the entire analog conversion process and the improvements in the connection between the source and the display was obvious to all. An interesting fact is that DVI connectors were initially not intended for televisions, this digital technology was specifically created to connect your computers to your monitors. Eventually, it was requested for home entertainment systems and with the success of its use in this new application, the technology grew leaps and bounds.

Okay, DVI was great. However, in an ever changing and highly competitive technological industry, improving upon a good thing was, of course, inevitable. In an attempt to truly combine all digital media components with one cable, one universal remote control and one interface, HDMI cables was created. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface and is considered the newest and the greatest technology in audio visual cabling on the market today. Combined in one cable, HDMI are all digital connectors that carry high definition video and several digital audio channels at once. Its ability to deliver high quality visual effects and high quality sound without the risk of quality loss sets this technology apart from other opposing component devices. However, because DVI was introduced before HDMI, DVI connections are much more available on a variety of televisions, DVD players, computers, monitors and other media technology and are much more available in a larger variety of name brand manufactured units then are HDMI connectors. DVI cables are similar to HDMI in that they are both all digital connectors for video media. So one may ask, which technology offers better quality and less degradation in the long run? Which cable connectors are best for my media needs? Admittedly, these are difficult questions to answer. You would have to evaluate your equipment and see if it would be worth it to us to either buy newer models that accept HDMI cables or try to upgrade your existing connections using the many adapters available today. Keep in mind that HDMI technology was designed based on DVI technology. Thus, they share equally in the level of advance technological superiority when it comes to picture quality and neither have issues with degradation over time.

That said, when comparing DVI and HDMI sound quality, HDMI would edge out in front of DVI. HDMIs clearly would have the best comparable audio capability on the market today. This is because unlike HDMI, DVI carries only video signals. With the introduction of DVI cables, the main complaint was the limited availability in various lengths. HDMI cables addressed these concerns by offering cables in various lengths that can go up to 15m in length, thus making them longer than DVI cables and with no loss in quality. DVI connectors are bulkier then HDMI connectors. Many people simply prefer the slick design of HDMI cables over the DVIs older appearance.

That is to say, unlike DVI connectors, HDMI connectors are similar to the more modern USB connectors. They simply slide right into there slots. Whereas DVI cables still have the cumbersome screw pin connectors on both sides of its connector. Many people have complained that this technology becomes difficult when trying to reach into or behind a tight area to connect the cable.

Conversely, the DVI pins can allow for a more secure connection then the easily bent or easily kicked out connection of the HDMI cables. The HDMI cables may be easier to insert than the DVI connectors but they are also earlier to damage as well. If damaged, they can be as expensive to repair as to replace with a new HDMI cable.

On the other hand, we have the problem of conversion. If I have a DVI connector and want HDMI quality on my devices, what would I do? Again this was technology coming to the rescue by creating an answer this a known problem. Some manufactures have designed an HDMI to DVI Cables. These dual connector devices are adapters that can be used to connect two media devices that have different video connector ports. So if the first device has a HDMI connector and another device have a DVI port this dual cable can be used. When converting from HDMI to DVI, the audio signal from the HDMI cable will be lost. This is because DVI cables only carry video signals. This is way when choosing which technology is best for you, you will need to be advised that they are not interchangeable. That is to say, for example, if you have a HDMI DVD player, you will need to purchase an HDMI/DVI adapter to play video and sound on a DVI equipped television. Also be advised that even with the use of an adapter, you will not have the use of other HDMI additional technology such as its universal remote control technology and its on screen format conversion.

Today, we have popular technological HDMI to DVI cables specifically designed to address these issues of incompatibility. These connectors serve as a kind of adapter in that they make it easy to connect and display media from, DVD Players or gaming devices as well as digital cable devices on your HDTV system. They eliminate the problem of unnecessary signal conversions and eliminate the need for multiple converters or adapters. Some of these cables are omni-directional which allows them to connect in either direction electronically. As discussed, we can clearly see why both technologies from HDMI to DVI Cables were needed?

A HDMI To DVI Cable Provides Connection Between Two Amazing Types Of Technology

Now that you have your brand new home theater system set up in the den, all you need to get it to function properly is an HDMI to DVI cable. This little life-line is what will transfer the images from the projector to your huge HDTV, as well as the sound. In short, without this single cable, there's no home theater system. These two forms of interface didn't always go together. One evolved as a result of the other. If you are interested in learning about this, then you are in luck. The details below provide further information on the evolution between HDMI and DVI.

HDMI

Most people don't even know what HDMI stand for. Right now, without reading any further in this article, are you able to tell us what it stands for? These letters mean High-Definition Multimedia Interface and is used to transfer digital data that hasn't been compressed. It is one of the newer alternatives to many analog standards found on products sold to consumers. These standards include SCART, RF coaxial cable, VGA, component video, composite video, D-Terminal, and S-Video. Many televisions and other forms of multimedia have these analog connectors located on the back of them, as well as HDMI connecting points. One difference between HDMI and DVI is that HDMI cables carry both video and audio.

Digital audio/video sources that are connected with HDMI include DVD players, PCs, Blu-ray Disc players, and many video game consoles to digital TVs, monitors for computers, or other digital audio devices that are compatible for HDMI. The best part is that all the signals are transferred through a single cable, this beats having multiple lengths of cables running all over the house, and these signals are supported by all PC or TV video formats. Products began showing up with HDMI in 2003 and have since grown to cover just about every type of electronic device where it can be used.

There are a variety of companies that are responsible for founding HDMI and it was developed so that there would be a connector compatible for DVI. At the time that HDMI was created, DVI was pretty much the standard for HDTVs. After being first shipped in 2003, 5 million devices sold in 2004 and this number jumped up to 63 million devices in 2006. The following year, 2007, this number more than doubled in the amount of products with HDMI that were being sold. Even 90 percent of the digital televisions were being equipped with HDMI.

As of now, there are four different types of HDMI connectors that exist exist; Type A, B, C, and D.

Let us tell you about the four different HDMI connectors:

Type A19 pinsEnough bandwidth to support HDTV, EDTV, and SDTVPlug measures 13.9 x 4.45 mmCompatible with single-link DVI-D

Type B29 pinsEnough bandwidth to carry double of what Type A can carryPlug measures 21.2 x 4.45 mmCompatible with dual-link DVI-D

Type C is known as a mini connector19 pinsEnough bandwidth for portable devicesPlug measures 10.42 x 2.42 mmCan be connected to Type A

Type D is known as a micro connector19 pinsResembles a micro-USB connectorPlug measures 2.8 x 6.4 mm

Three communication channels exist within HDMI; TMDS, CEC, and DDC.

Transition Minimized Differential Signaling, or TMDS, is what transports audio, video, and auxiliary data. The Consumer Electronics Control, or CEC, wiring is considered a mandatory part of construction. The CEC is present so that consumers can use a single remote control for many devices that are CEC-enabled. This greatly reduces the pile of remotes lying about the room. As for the Display Data Channel, or DDC, this allows the HDMI device to know what type of format is should be supporting and at what speed.

DVI

The Digital Visual Interface, or DVI, signal is compatible with HDMI, electrically speaking. This signal only carries video signal, instead of both video and sound like the HDMI. DVI provides excellent quality in images displayed on LCD computer monitors and even digital projectors. As data is transmitted through DVI, it is in binary code. This code is deciphered and each pixel is then given the correct amount of brightness that is is supposed to receive, according to the code. The link for the DVI can transmit 24 bits for each pixel.

Depending on the type of signal being provided, the DVI connector will have one of the following names; DVI-I, DVI-A, DVI-D, or M1-DA. DVI-A is only analog, DVI-D is only digital, and the other two are integrated, digital, and analog. The M1-DA is also able to implement USB. The pins found on the DVI connector match VGA connectors for analog devices, making the DVI a universal connector, since DVI is partially compatible with HDMI, which takes care of the digital aspect for most other devices. DVI is so widely used nowadays because it has the ability to transmit both digital and analog signals, instead of one or the other. This feature makes it much more competitive in today's market.

While the DVI was made to replace the VGA, this latter connector still exists today. VGA is used more in European countries, while HDMI is more widely spread. Thanks to the founders of the HDMI connector, people now have an excellent source for connecting devices that used DVI to their HDMI device. Without this form of technology, it would be very hard to hook up a projector to one of the newer HDTVs.

Since VGA is an analog mode and HDMI is digital, the HDMI to DVI cable is necessary for connecting high-quality digital components, such as game consoles with intense graphic capabilities to computer monitors and massive digital televisions with expansive screens. HDMI and DVI have definitely changed the way people view their various forms of media, by making it as detailed as possible. These two types of interface working together make gaming a much more theatrical event, but not only visually. With HDMI being able to transmit video and audio, the amazing sound quality for games, movies, and other forms of home entertainment are able to be at their very best.