What are DVI and HDMI? What do these two acronyms mean? To connect a monitor and a PC together, users need connectors and wires that fit them. Some of the most popular are HDMI and DVI. In this article, we will compare DVI to HDMI to define the best option.
What is DVI?
Replacing the outdated analog VGA is the digital interface, the most common of which are HDMI and DVI.
DVI is this connector that is one of the most common; it can be seen more often than others on desktop PC cases. DVI transmits only video signal, its maximum resolution is 1920×1200 pixels. But there is one but – when using dual-link DVI, the maximum resolution of the transmitted video will be 2560×1600 pixels. The main drawback of DVI is that it lacks support for HDCP encryption, so you won’t be able to play Blu-Ray movies.
Depending on the type, it can be used in a variety of devices:
- A is the most “ancient” subspecies. It can only send an analog signal to non-modern monitors;
- I – is responsible for two types of signal: digital + analog. Thanks to him, HD video is displayed;
- D – transmits only the digital signal. The most modern subspecies, which are responsible for the transmission of the 1980 image at 1200 pix.
Digital Visual Interface sends video to monitors, TV, projectors. The connector is popular because it:
- universal – you can even connect old monitors;
- practical – allows you to connect multiple monitors to your PC (but with a resolution not higher than HD).
What is HDMI?
This is a connector that is already installed by default in all new TVs, various Blu-ray players, Apple TV, video cards for PCs and much more. It is specially designed for high-definition multimedia (available in C24F390F). Connecting this cable is as easy as plugging a USB stick into your PC.
There are several varieties of it:
- A – the largest, mounted on a PC, TV, some laptops, monitors;
- C – smaller, found in laptops, tablets, netbooks;
- D – the smallest port, can be mounted in phones, tablets.
The main advantages of the connector:
- simultaneously transmits video and sound;
- has a bandwidth of up to 10.5 Gbps;
- connects simply, like a USB drive;
- support HDCP encryption;
- has a compact size.
Most modern devices are equipped with such connectors (for example, P2418D). For its installation, no additional mounts are required; therefore it is very successful in use with mobile equipment.
What is the difference?
DVI and HDMI are two main digital connectors today. If you decipher the abbreviation, then everything falls into place. In short, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) transmits video signal and audio at the same time, and DVI (Digital Visual Interface) transmits the only video. As for the picture quality, there is no difference, here the screen on which the image is displayed already plays an important role.
HDMI bandwidth is three times higher than DVI. In numbers, this is up to 10.2 Gbps against 3.4 Gbps in DVI. In addition, a standard HDMI cable can easily reach a length of 15 meters, as for DVI, then you can use a cable length of only up to 10 meters.
At the same time, DVI is, as it were, a simplified version of HDMI, differing in a different connector, in the absence of the possibility of sound transmission over the same wire, and at a low price.