DVI Cable

DVI cable
Name: DVI cable (Digital Visual Interface)

 

Color: Usually black, I’ve seen white/grey

 

Uses: Transfers digital video

 

DVI connection

Connector: There are 3 different connectors that can appear on the end of a DVI cable and each accommodates different variations of signal. There are up to 29 pins that can appear on the connector, and depending on the variation, the number of pins changes.

Max Length (standard cable): approx 16ft

Okay, now we move to digital cables. This DVI cable was created to maximize the video quality of flat panel LCD monitors and modern video cards. It quickly moved to become the standard not only for LCD and computer displays, but for all types of HD… plasmas and high end displays.

There are 3 different formats for DVI:
DVI-D (true digital video)
DVI-A (high res analog)
DVI-I (both true digital and hi res analog)

Knowing which one you need requires you to understand what connectors that you have on the back of your HDTV and component. The correct DVI cable usually comes with your component... whether it matches your TV is a different story.

If you’re having trouble figuring this one out (it takes practice), try to move to an HDMI cable.

 

It should be noted that the DVI cable doesn’t carry audio… just digital video.