Often the choice of a video card is made according to the criteria of an already purchased monitor or its desired type and image quality. For example, a digital LCD monitor requires DVI connectors. Although modern developments often offer absolutely universal solutions, it is still worth double-checking. Because for resolutions higher than 1920 by 1200 with digital image transmission, you only need a DVI Dual Link connector.
What are DVI connectors used for?
DVI connectors perform important functions of transmitting images to various types of monitors; they are divided into several types, advanced digital and analog signals. Most modern video cards are equipped with a DVI interface, which is presented mainly in two different types DVI-I and DVI-D.
What is DVI-I?
This type is considered the most common in video cards due to its versatility. "I" stands for "integrated". This interface uses two types of transmission channel, namely analog and digital. They function separately from each other, and have different modifications:
This device has 1 digital channel and 1 analogue. They absolutely do not depend on each other. Which of them will function depends on the type of connection to the video card and on the mechanism directly to which the connection is made. This type is not used in professional equipment, because eliminates the possibility of transmission to thirty-inch and LCD monitors, namely the use of wider screen resolutions (more than 1920 by 1080).
. This is an improved DVI interface, has one analog and two digital channels for data transmission. The channels also work independently of each other.
It is noted that almost all video cards have at least two DVI-I connectors.
What is DVI-D?
This interface provides exclusively digital technologies for data transmission, and can also have several channels. This type, namely DVI-D Single Link, allows feeding at a frequency 60 Hz, in resolution 1920 by 1200 dots, but this is not enough to connect to 3D monitors. In turn, there is a second type for this. Let's take a closer look at it!
D - this is “digital”, translated as “digital”, as mentioned above, it does not have an analog channel, but at the same time allows greater possibilities for transmitting digital data. Dual – means “2” channels. This advantage makes it possible to operate NVidia 3D, feeding images to a 3D monitor, because two channels allow for 120 Hz and wide resolution capabilities.
Key differences between DVI-I and DVI-D
“I” supports both digital and analogue transmission forms; in “D” only digital is possible, so if connected to an analog monitor, DVI-D will not be able to transmit the required signal. Externally, they also differ; unlike dvi-i, dvi-d does not have four holes. The “D” connector is much less common on video cards, but it guarantees the best digital image quality. Often used for professional CRT monitors. This type is mainly found in integrated video cards. When, in turn, it is dvi-i that is most common on popular consumer video cards, due to its two functionality. Considering the connection data, there is also an exclusively analog transmission form, DVI-A, which is used very rarely. 
What do they have in common?
Of course, this is the versatility of DVI-I and the ability to transmit, both digital and analog signal. With the help of additional adapters and combinations, “I” efficiently carries out any form of transmission, and the use of this type for an analog screen is almost no different from “D”. In modern products, the first option is used much more often than the second and, moreover, almost always!
If you have any doubts about the alignment of the video card and screen connectors, it is recommended to immediately contact a specialist, because Most often, in case of an error, you will have to either replace one of the devices or use possible alternatives and additional cables that may distort the image. The best option is to purchase DVI-D for a digital monitor, or a universal dvi-i, which can function even when replacing an analog monitor with a digital one. For more information about which of the above connectors will provide the best quality, it is best to consult when purchasing.
The DVI connector is used in modern televisions (plasma, liquid crystal), LCD monitors and video cards of personal computers. The name "DVI" comes from the English abbreviation Digital VisualInterface, which translates as "digital video interface". The DVI connector was developed and first introduced back in 1999 by the Digital Display Working Group. It includes global giants in the production of computer equipment and monitors, such as Intel, Compaq, Fujitsu, Silicon Image, Hewlett Packard and NEC. The DVI connector replaced the VGA interface and today has almost completely replaced it.
Description of DVI technology
The method used in this interface was developed by Silicon Image. It is a type of serial communication device. The DVI cable is built on the twisted pair principle. Three pairs of wires carry colors (red, green and blue), and the fourth carries clock signals. The DVI connector allows you to transmit both analog and There are three subtypes of the interface in question:
- DVI-A - used for transmission exclusively;
- DVI-I is a universal connector, used for transmitting both analog and digital signals;
- DVI-D - for transmitting digital signals only.
In addition, DVI technology is equipped with a special HDCP digital information protection system developed by Intel.
Disadvantages of the DVI interface
The main disadvantage of transmitting information through this connector is the limitation of the cable length, as well as the dependence of the mentioned parameter on the type of signal being transmitted. For example, an image with an extension of 1920x1200 pixels at a frequency of 60 Hz can be transmitted over a cable whose length is 5 meters, and through a fifteen-meter cable it is possible to transmit a signal whose maximum quality is only 1280x1024 pixels at the same frequency. Therefore, if it is necessary to use long cables, it is necessary to use additional equipment - special signal amplifiers (repeaters), which are installed at certain distances. This disadvantage is associated with the appearance of dots on the monitor when using a low-quality cable. To eliminate this effect, you must either change the cord or reduce the quality of the input signal.
DVI-HDMI connector
This digital connector is used to transmit HDTV signals. Designed to connect TVs to various signal sources. A special feature of this connector is that it can transmit not only a video signal, but also digital audio. It allows you to broadcast 8 audio channels with a bit depth of 24 bits. There are various specifications of the designated interface, as well as adapters, thanks to which you can connect different types of connectors. The HDMI connector can also be used to connect a personal computer and a TV. It should be remembered that the HDMI-DVI interface supports a special protocol designed to protect licensed content from unauthorized overwriting.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that DVI technology has almost completely replaced VGA interfaces, today this type is quite widely used on older PCs. If your video card does not have a DVI connector, but you still need to connect a monitor that supports this technology, then you can use a special adapter - a DVI-VGA connector.
Hello, dear readers! Today I would like to talk about ways to connect a monitor to a video card - about video card connectors. Modern video cards have not one, but several ports for connection, so that it is possible to connect more than one monitor at the same time. Among these ports there are both outdated and now rarely used, and modern ones.
The abbreviation VGA stands for video graphics array (an array of pixels) or video graphics adapter (video adapter). Appearing back in 1987, the 15-pin and, as a rule, blue color, is designed to output a strictly analog signal, the quality of which, as is known, can be affected by many different factors (wire length, for example), including on the video card itself, Therefore, the picture quality through this port on different video cards may vary slightly.
Before the widespread use of LCD monitors, this connector was almost the only possible option for connecting a monitor to a computer. It is still used today, but only in budget models of low-resolution monitors, as well as in projectors and some game consoles, such as the latest generation xbox consoles from Microsoft. It is not recommended to connect a Full HD monitor through it, as the picture will be blurry and unclear. The maximum VGA cable length at 1600 x 1200 resolution is 5 meters.
DVI (variations: DVI-I, DVI-A and DVI-D)
Used to transmit a digital signal, replacing VGA. Used to connect high-resolution monitors, televisions, as well as modern digital projectors and plasma panels. The maximum cable length is 10 meters.
The higher the resolution of the image, the shorter the distance it can be transmitted without loss of quality (without the use of special equipment).
There are three types of DVI ports: DVI-D (digital), DVI-A (analog) and DVI-I (combo):
To transmit digital data, either Single-Link or Dual-Link format is used. Single-Link DVI uses a single TMDS transmitter, while Dual-Link doubles the bandwidth and allows screen resolutions higher than 1920 x 1200, such as 2560 x 1600. Therefore, for large monitors with high resolution, or intended for stereo image output, you definitely need at least DVI Dual-Link, or HDMI version 1.3 (more on this below).
HDMI
Also digital output. Its main difference from DVI is that HDMI, in addition to transmitting a video signal, is capable of transmitting a multi-channel digital audio signal. Audio and visual information are transmitted over one cable at the same time. Initially developed for television and cinema, and later gained wide popularity among PC users. It is backward compatible with DVI using a special adapter. The maximum length of a regular HDMI cable is up to 5 meters.
HDMI is another attempt to standardize universal connectivity for digital audio and video applications, so it immediately received strong support from electronics giants (companies such as Sony, Hitachi, Panasonic, Toshiba, Thomson, Philips) contributed to the development, and as a result, most modern devices for outputting high-resolution images have at least one HDMI output.
Among other things, HDMI, like DVI, allows you to transmit copy-pasted sound and image in digital form over one cable using HDCP. True, to implement this technology you will need a video card and a monitor, attention! - supporting this technology, oh how. Again, there are currently several versions of HDMI, here's a short summary of them:
DisplayPort
Appeared in addition to DVI and HDMI, since Single-Link DVI can transmit a signal with a resolution of up to 1920 × 1080, and Dual-Link a maximum of 2560 × 1600, then a resolution of 3840 × 2400 is not available for DVI. The maximum resolution capabilities of DisplayPort are no different from the same HDMI - 3840 x 2160, however, it still has unobvious advantages. One of these is, for example, that companies will not have to pay tax for using DisplayPort in their devices - which, by the way, is mandatory when it comes to HDMI.
In the photo, red arrows indicate latches that prevent the connector from accidentally falling out of the connector. HDMI, even version 2.0, does not provide any clamps.
As you already understood, DisplayPort's main competitor is HDMI. DisplayPort has an alternative technology to protect transmitted data from theft, only it is called a little differently - DPCP (DisplayPort Content Protection). DisplayPort, like HDMI, supports 3D images and audio content transmission. However, audio transmission via DisplayPort is only available one-way. And transmitting Ethernet data via DisplayPort is generally impossible.
DisplayPort also benefits from the fact that it has adapters for all popular outputs, such as DVI, HDMI, VGA (which is important). For example, with HDMI there is only one adapter - to DVI. That is, having only one DisplayPort connector on the video card, you can connect an old monitor with only one VGA input.
By the way, this is what is happening - now more and more video cards are being released without a VGA output at all. The maximum length of a regular DisplayPort cable can be up to 15 meters. But DisplayPort can transmit its maximum resolution at a distance of no more than 3 meters - often this is enough to connect the monitor and video card.
S-Video (TV/OUT)
On older video cards, you sometimes find an S-Video connector, or, as it is also called, S-VHS. It is usually used to output an analog signal to outdated TVs, however, in terms of the quality of the transmitted image it is inferior to the more common VGA. When using a high-quality cable via S-Video, the image is transmitted without interference at a distance of up to 20 meters. Currently extremely rare (on video cards).
Today you can display a video image on a monitor or TV in different ways - there are more and more options for connection ports every year, and it’s not surprising to get confused in the number and difference of interfaces.
Let's look at the most popular formats and determine cases when one or another video port standard is best suited.
VGA
The oldest standard for pairing a PC and a monitor, which still exists today. Developed back in 1987 by IBM, the component video interface uses an analog signal to transmit color information. Unlike more modern standards, VGA does not allow sound transmission - only pictures.
The VGA connector is usually blue with two screws on the sides. It has a 15-pin connector and initially could only work at a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels, using a palette of 16 colors. The standard later evolved into the so-called Super VGA, supporting higher screen extensions and up to 16 million colors. And since the improved standard continued to use the old port and did not change in appearance, it is simply called VGA in the old fashioned way.
This format is most often used on older hardware, but many computers still have this port. What is called - just in case.
DVI
More than ten years after the release of the VGA standard, the DVI format, a digital video interface, saw the light of day. Released in 1999, the interface was capable of transmitting video without compression in one of three modes: DVI-I (Integrated) - a combined digital and analogue transmission format, DVI-D (Digital) - supporting only a digital signal, DVI-A (Analog ) – supports only analog signal.
DVI-I and DVI-D ports can be used in single or dual mode. In the second case, the bandwidth is doubled, which allows you to obtain a high-definition screen resolution - up to 2048 by 1536 pixels. However, for this you need to have an appropriate video card. The ports themselves differ in the number of contacts - so the Single link mode uses four twisted pairs of wires (maximum resolution 1920 by 1200 pixels at 60 Hz), and the Dual link mode, a corresponding larger number of contacts and wires (resolution up to 2560 by 1600 at 60 Hz).
It is important to remember that the analog version of DVI-A does not support DVI-D monitors, and a video card with DVI-I can be connected to a DVI-D monitor using a cable with two DVI-D-male connectors. By analogy with VGA, this standard also transmits only video images to the screen without sound. However, since 2008, video card manufacturers have made audio transmission possible - for this you need to use a DVI-D - HDMI cable.
You can also find on the market the mini-DVI format, invented by Apple, which is inclined to make everything smaller. However, the mini-standard only works in single mode, which means it does not support resolutions higher than 1920 by 1200 pixels.
HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Interface or high-definition multimedia interface allows you to transmit digital video and audio signals, and even with the possibility of copy protection. HDMI is smaller in size than its predecessors, operates at a higher speed, and most importantly, transmits sound, which made it possible to retire the previous SCART and RCA (“tulips”) standards for connecting video devices to TVs.
The HDMI 1.0 specification appeared at the end of 2002 and had a maximum bandwidth of 4.9 Gb/s, support for 8-channel audio and video up to 165 MPix/sec (that is, FullHD at 60 Hz). Since then, the standard has been constantly evolving, and in 2013 the HDMI 2.0 specification was released with a bandwidth of up to 18 Gbps, support for 4K resolution (3840 by 2160 pixels at 60 Hz) and 32-channel audio.
Today, the HDMI standard is used not only by computers, but also by digital TVs, DVD and Blu-ray players, game consoles and many other devices. If desired, you can use adapters from HDMI to DVI and vice versa.
The number of pins on HDMI ports starts from 19, and the connectors themselves are available in several form factors, the most common of which are HDMI (Type-A), mini-HDMI (Type-C), micro-HDMI (Type D). In addition, there are HDMI ports for signal reception (HDMI-In) and transmission (HDMI-Out). Outwardly, they are practically indistinguishable, but if, say, your monoblock has both ports, then when you try to display a picture on a second monitor, you can only use one of them, namely the HDMI-Out one.
DisplayPort
In 2006, another video standard for digital monitors was adopted. DisplayPort, like HDMI, transmits not only video, but also audio, and is used to connect a computer with a display or home theater. DisplayPort has a higher data transfer rate, support for resolutions up to 8K (7680 by 4320 pixels at 60 Hz) in version 1.4, released in March 2016, and the image through the port can be displayed on multiple monitors (from two to four, depending from permission).
DisplayPort was specifically designed to output images from computers to monitors, while HDMI was more intended for connecting various devices to a TV. However, these ports can be used together using a Dual-Mode DisplayPort adapter.
There are also variations of Mini DisplayPort, used primarily in laptops. In particular, the smaller format is loved by Apple.
Thunderbolt
Finally, a standard from Intel (in collaboration with Apple) for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. It was Apple that was the first to release a device with this interface in 2011 – the MacBook Pro laptop.
The maximum data transfer speed is 20 Gbit/s when using optical fiber for version 2, while the 3rd version of the interface is capable of operating at speeds up to 40 Gbit/s. Thunderbolt combines not only the DisplayPort interface, but also PCI-Express, which means you can connect almost anything to it. In particular, up to six devices can be connected to one port, which reduces the need to have a huge number of different ports on a device.
The Thunderbolt connector itself is smaller than the mini-DisplayPort, and its third version is a port compatible with USB 3.1, that is, it is made with a USB Type-C connector.
Universal USB
If you are suddenly worried that you will soon have to update all your home appliances due to changing standards, then do not rush. Manufacturers are striving to simplify the story with numerous interfaces and provide support for older devices through adapters. In particular, for HDMI devices you will only need to use an appropriate adapter in order to be able to connect to a modern USB Type-C port.
By analogy with the fact that previously each mobile phone manufacturer had its own charging connector, and now most use a micro-USB port, the video standard is also striving for unification. And the unifying form factor should be the latest generation USB port, through which both monitors and regular headphones and headsets will be connected.
Probably every user of a personal computer or laptop has encountered issues with connecting a monitor or TV to it, as well as the quality of the resulting image. And if earlier getting a high-quality picture on the screen was quite problematic, today this problem does not exist at all. Of course, if your device has a DVI connector. This is what we will talk about, and also consider other existing interfaces for displaying images on the screen.
Types of connectors for displaying images on a computer monitor or screen
Until recently, all personal computers had exclusively analog connections to the monitor. To transfer images to it, a VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) interface with a D-Sub 15 connector was used. Experienced users still remember the blue plug and 15-pin socket. But, besides this, video cards also had other connectors designed to display images on a TV screen or other video device:
- RCA (Radio Corporation of America) - in our opinion, “tulip”. An analog connector designed to connect a video card to a TV, video player or VCR using a coaxial cable. Has the worst transmission characteristics and low resolution.
- S-Video (S-VHS) is a type of analog connector for transmitting a video signal to a TV, VCR or projector, dividing the data into three channels responsible for a separate base color. The quality of signal transmission is slightly better than “tulip”.
- Component connector - output to three separate “tulips”, used to output images to the projector.
All of these connectors were widely used until the late 1990s. Of course, there was no question of quality, since both televisions and monitors at that time had very low resolution. Now we cannot even imagine how it was possible to play computer games while looking at a TV screen with a cathode ray tube.
With the advent of the new century, thanks to the introduction of digital technologies in the development of video devices, RCA, S-VHS and component output began to be used less and less. The VGA interface lasted a little longer.
A little history
The operating principle of a conventional video card was that the digital image output from it had to be converted into an analog signal using a RAMDAC device - a digital-to-analog converter. Naturally, such conversion already deteriorated the image quality at the initial stage.
With the advent of digital screens, it became necessary to convert the analog signal at the output. Now monitors have also begun to be equipped with a special converter, which again could not but affect the image quality.
And here, in 1999, DVI appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, the latest digital video interface, thanks to which we can today enjoy the perfect picture on the screen.
The development of this interface device was carried out by a whole group of companies, which included Silicon Image, Digital Display Working Group and even Intel. The developers came to the conclusion that there is no need to convert a digital signal to analog, and then vice versa. It is enough to create a single interface, and the image in its original form will be displayed on the screen. And without the slightest loss of quality.
What is DVI
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface. The essence of its work is that a special TMDS encoding protocol, also developed by Silicon Image, is used to transmit data. The method of signal transmission through a digital video interface is based on the sequential sending of information pre-implemented by the protocol, with constant backward compatibility with the analog VGA channel.
The DVI specification allows for a single TMDS connection to operate at up to 165 MHz and a transfer rate of 1.65 Gbps. This makes it possible to obtain an output image with a resolution of 1920x1080 with a maximum frequency of 60 Hz. But here it is possible to simultaneously use a second TMDS connection with the same frequency, which allows you to achieve a throughput of 2 Gbit/s.
Having such indicators, DVI left far behind other developments in this direction and began to be used on all digital devices without exception.
DVI for the average user
Without delving into the jungle of electronics, a digital video interface is just a special encoding device that has a corresponding connector on the video card. But how do you know that a computer or laptop has a digital output?
Everything is very simple. The connectors of video cards with a digital interface cannot be confused with others. They have a specific appearance and shape, different from other nests. In addition, the DVI connector is always white, which makes it stand out from the rest.
In order to connect a monitor, TV or projector to a video card, you simply plug in the plug of the desired wire and secure it using special hand-screwed bolts.
Resolution and scaling
However, neither digital coding nor special video card connectors have completely solved the problem of computer-monitor compatibility. A question arose about image scaling.
The fact is that all monitors, screens and televisions that already have a DVI connector are not capable of producing a higher output resolution than that provided by their design. Therefore, it often happened that the video card produced a high-quality picture, and the monitor showed it to us only in a quality limited by its capabilities.
The developers caught on in time and began equipping all modern digital panels with special scaling devices.
Now, when we connect the DVI connector on the monitor to the corresponding output on the video card, the device instantly self-adjusts, choosing the optimal operating mode. We usually don’t pay any attention to this process and don’t try to control it.
Video cards and DVI support
The first video cards of the NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS series already had built-in TMDS transmitters. They are still widely used today in Titanium cards, being integrated into rendering devices. The disadvantage of built-in transmitters is their low clock frequency, which does not allow achieving high resolution. In other words, TMDS do not make the most of their advertised 165 MHz bandwidth. Therefore, we can say with confidence that NVIDIA at the initial stage failed to adequately implement the DVI standard in its video cards.
When video adapters began to be equipped with an external TMDS, working in parallel with the built-in one, the DVI interface was able to produce a resolution of 1920x1440, which exceeded all the expectations of the company's developers.
The Titanium GeForce GTX series had no problems at all. They effortlessly provide images with a resolution of 1600x1024.
ATI took a completely different path. All of its video cards that have DVI outputs also operate from integrated transmitters, but they are supplied complete with special DVI-VGA adapters that connect 5 analog DVI pins to VGA.
Maxtor specialists decided not to bother at all and came up with their own way out of the situation. The G550 series video cards are the only ones that have a dual DVI cable instead of two signal transmitters. This solution allowed the company to achieve a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels.
DVI connector: types
It's important to know that not all digital connectors are created equal. They have different specifications and designs. In our daily life, the following types of DVI connectors are most often encountered:
- DVI-I SingleLink;
- DVI-I DualLink;
- DVI-D SingleLink;
- DVI-D DualLink;
- DVI-A.
DVI-I SingleLink connector
This connector is the most popular and in demand. It is used in all modern video cards and digital monitors. The letter I in the name means “integrated”. This DVI connector is special in its own way. The fact is that it has two combined transmission channels: digital and analog. In other words, this is a DVI+VGA connector. It has 24 digital pins and 5 analog pins.
Considering that these channels are independent of each other and cannot be used simultaneously, the device independently chooses which one to work with.
By the way, the first such integrated interfaces had separate DVI and VGA connectors.
DVI-I DualLink connector
DVI-I DualLink is also capable of transmitting an analog signal, but, unlike SingleLink, it has two digital channels. Why is this necessary? Firstly, to improve throughput, and secondly, it all again comes down to resolution, which is directly proportional to image quality. This option allows you to expand it to 1920x1080.
DVI-D SingleLink connector
DVI-D SingleLink connectors do not have any analog channels. The letter D informs the user that this is a digital interface only. It has one transmission channel and is also limited to a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.
DVI-D DualLink connector
This connector has two data channels. Their simultaneous use makes it possible to obtain 2560x1600 pixels at a frequency of only 60 Hz. In addition, this solution allows some modern video cards, such as nVidia 3D Vision, to reproduce three-dimensional images on a monitor screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
DVI-A connector
In some sources, the concept of DVI-A is sometimes found - a digital connector for transmitting exclusively an analog signal. In order not to mislead you, let us immediately indicate that in fact such an interface does not exist. DVI-A is just a special plug in cables and special adapters for connecting analog video devices to the DVI-I connector.
Digital connector: pinout
All of the connectors listed differ from each other in the location and number of contacts:
- DVI-I SingleLink - has 18 pins for a digital channel and 5 for an analogue one;
- DVI-I DualLink - 24 digital pins, 4 analog, 1 - ground;
- DVI-D SingleLink - 18 digital, 1 - ground;
- DVI-D DualLink - 24 digital, 1 - ground
The DVI-A connector also has its own unique pin arrangement. Its pinout consists of only 17 pins, including ground.
HDMI connector
A modern digital video interface also has other types of connecting communications. For example, the HDMI DVI connector is in no way inferior in popularity to the listed models. On the contrary, due to its compactness and the ability to transmit an audio signal along with digital video, it has become a mandatory accessory for all new TVs and monitors.
The abbreviation HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, which means “high-definition multimedia interface.” It appeared for the first time in 2003 and since then has not lost any of its relevance. Every year new modifications appear with improved resolution and bandwidth.
Today, for example, HDMI makes it possible to transmit video and audio signals without loss of quality over a cable up to 10 meters long. The throughput is up to 10.2 Gb/s. Just a few years ago this figure did not exceed 5 Gb/s.
This standard is supported and developed by the world's leading radio electronics companies: Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, Philips, etc. Almost all video devices today manufactured by these manufacturers must have at least one HDMI connector.
DP connector
DP (DisplayPort) is the newest connector that replaced the HDMI multimedia interface. Possessing high throughput, minimal loss of quality during data transmission and compactness, it was designed to completely replace the DVI standard. But it turned out that not everything is so simple. Most modern monitors do not have appropriate connectors, and changing their production system in a short time is impossible. In addition, not all manufacturers are particularly committed to this, which is why most video equipment is not equipped with the DisplayPort standard.
Mini connectors
Today, when more mobile devices are often used instead of computers: laptops, tablets and smartphones, it becomes not very convenient to use conventional connectors. Therefore, manufacturers such as Apple, for example, began to replace them with smaller analogues. First VGA became mini-VGA, then DVI became micro-DVI, and DisplayPort shrank to mini-DisplayPort.
DVI adapters
But what if, for example, you need to connect a laptop to an analog monitor or another device that has a DVI connector to a digital panel with HDMI or DisplayPort standard? Special adapters will help with this, which can be purchased today at any radio electronics store.
Let's look at their main types:
- VGA - DVI;
- DVI - VGA;
- DVI - HDMI;
- HDMI - DVI;
- HDMI - DisplayPort;
- DisplayPort - HDMI.
In addition to these basic adapters, there are also varieties of them that provide connection to other interfaces, such as USB.
Of course, with such a connection there is a loss of image quality, even between devices of the same type that support the DVI standard. An adapter connector, no matter how high-quality it is, cannot solve this problem.
How to connect a TV to a computer
Connecting a TV to a computer or laptop is not difficult, but you should determine which interface is equipped with both devices. Most modern television receivers have built-in connectors that support DVI. This can be either HDMI or DisplayPort. If a computer or laptop has the same connector as the TV, it is enough to use the cable that usually comes with the latter. If the wire was not included in the kit, you can freely buy it in the store.
The computer operating system will independently detect the connection of the second screen and offer one of the options for using it:
- as the main monitor;
- in clone mode (the image will be displayed on both screens);
- as an additional monitor to the main one.
But do not forget that with such a connection, the image resolution will remain the same as provided for by the screen design.
Does cable length affect signal quality?
Not only the signal quality, but also the data transfer speed depends on the length of the cable connecting the device and the screen. Taking into account the modern characteristics of connecting wires for various digital interfaces, their length should not exceed the established parameters:
- for VGA - no more than 3 m;
- for HDMI - no more than 5 m;
- for DVI - no more than 10 m;
- for DisplayPort - no more than 10 m.
If you need to connect a computer or laptop to a screen located at a distance exceeding the recommended one, you must use a special amplifier - a repeater (signal repeater), which can also distribute the channel to several monitors.
