DVI vs HDMI Comparison | What’s the Difference

Nevertheless, when comparing these parameters, the generation of the protocol should also be taken into account. The difference between DVI and HDMI of different families can be significant.

DVI Specifications and History

DVI was originally designed as an interface to connect a display to a computer. Because of the rather large size of the connector itself, it is rarely used in mobile devices and laptops. In addition, this standard is actually obsolete at the moment (2019).

This name refers to a whole group of protocols that have different technical characteristics:

1. DVI-A– All-analog data transmission standard. It is similar to VGA in that it has the same technical characteristics. Hopelessly obsolete and only found in the oldest computers in 2019;

2. DVI-I Single

3. nk– Supports both analog and digital transmission. Compatible with virtually all displays, both old and new. The graphics card itself determines what type of data to send and provides the best display;

4. DVI-I Dual

5. nk– Supports both analog and digital transmission. In addition, it has a second set of contacts for “digital. This increases the maximum resolution of connected screens – up to 2560×1600 pixels;

6. DVI-D Single

7. nk– standard that supports only digital transmission. The maximum resolution on it is 1920×1200 pixels, and the bitmap frequency is 60 Hz;

8. DVI-D Dual

9. nk– Dual-channel digital transmission protocol. This provides a maximum resolution of 2560×1600 dots, 120 Hz sweep frequency, and support for NVIDIA 3D Vision technology.

Versions differ not only in technical characteristics, but also in connectors.

DVI iteration comparison table

In 2019, it is only appropriate to use this standard if you want to connect a projector to your computer. But it has a high maximum cable length for cable-free transmission.

The connectors of different iterations are backward compatible at the hardware level. This means that you can plug DVI-A, DVI-D, and DVI-I plugs into the DVI-I DL connector, but only DVI-A plugs into the DVI-A connector. The connectors differ in the number of pins.

Specifications and history of HDMI

This interface was originally developed as a universal standard for multimedia transmission that includes both video and audio streams. It is suitable for connecting monitors with built-in speakers, TVs, projectors, and the like to your computer.

There are several generations of this protocol. They differ primarily in bandwidth-that is, the amount of content they can transmit.

Difference between iterations (only the most common generations are included in the table):

The versions are backward-compatible at the software level. This means that if, for example, the video card supports version 2.1, and monitor only 1.0, then the data transfer characteristics will correspond to generation 1.0. Similarly if the video card has 1.0, and screen 2.1, then the characteristics will correspond to 1.0. Transmission speeds and quantities are always “cut off” by the older generation in the bundle.

Also worth noting is the existence of two types of cables – normal and “active”. The active cable is made of fiber optics and equipped with converters that turn electricity into a light signal (and vice versa). A normal cable is just a set of copper conductors. This explains the difference in cable length limit.

The difference between HDMI and DVI in a table

Let’s compare the technical specifications of the three standards – DVI-I DL as the most advanced in its family, HDMI 1.3 as the most common in the previous generation of video technology and its more recent iteration 2.0b as the most common in the current generation of video technology.

For a clearer understanding of the difference between generations of technology, it is worth giving an example:

1. Sony’s PlayStation 4 game console was released in 2013 and comes with a version 1 interface.4;

2. Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro gaming console was released in 2016 and is equipped with a version 2 interface.0b – and therefore supports 4K televisions and HDR extended dynamic range.

Now we can move on to the table illustrating the difference between these standards:

Thus, this table illustrates the most important differences between the two standards. This is already sufficient for selecting a suitable connection interface.

Which connector to choose – HDMI or DVI – depending on situations

If there is a choice of protocol for connecting a particular device, then you can not “dig” in the characteristics of interfaces. We made a table to help you determine which connector is better to use, and why.

Make it clear that we’re talking about the DVI-I DL connector. In other cases, the interface version is specified.

1. DVI is best used when a connection is required:

2. An old monitor with a 4:3 aspect ratio. It most likely uses an analog interface;

3. Office “display” with a matrix of about F

   l HD. This standard has enough characteristics to display on such a screen, and the wire is banal cheaper;

   • F matrix gamer monitor

     l HD. DVI-I DL provides an update rate up to 120 Hz and thus increases the frame rate;

     • Projector. This is due to the fact that the maximum cable length without amplification – 10-15 meters, depending on the number of points displayed on the screen.

     • HDMI is better to use if you need to connect:

     • Monitor with built-in speakers, as the interface transmits sound;

     • TV to computer. And not just because of the ability to transmit sound, but because this protocol is standard for multimedia in general, so your TV probably has a corresponding connector;

     • A monitor or TV which supports HDR. Extended dynamic range tones can only be transmitted over this protocol, and only version 2.0a and 2.0b;

     • Console to TV. Again, this protocol provides audio transmission;

A gamer monitor that has a resolution of F

HD and matrix response speed up to 3 ms. Only this standard provides sufficient bandwidth for very high frame rates.

It is worth noting that these tips do not take into account the most modern interface for video transmission – DisplayPort.

Conclusion

Despite all its advantages, DVI is gradually falling out of favor. Modern video cards and monitors are often simply not equipped with the proper connector. They are gradually being replaced by HDMI, which will be replaced by DisplayPort.

And when buying a modern computer, notebook, graphics card or game console, the whole difference between DVI and HDMI is that the first connector of the device, and the second – is not.

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