Difference Between DVI-I and DVI-D (With Table)

The Digital Display Working Group developed DVI, which is both a graphic display protocol and a standard. Video codecs, including such video display processors, are connected to display equipment, such as computer monitors, television sets, and LCD projectors, via an electronic connection. The API was founded in 1999 with the purpose of creating a required specification for the easy transport of electronic video content.

DVI-I vs DVI-D

The main difference between DVI-I and DVI-D is that the DVI-D accepts only digital signals, while DVI-I can accept both electronic and analog signals. Nvidia GeForce3 graphics cards from Dell have DVI-I connectors, but as of January 2002, ATI Radeon VE graphics core processors do have DVI-D (or dual VGA) connectors.

The single link DVI-I connector has 23 pins, and the dual connector has 29 pins. The DVI-I interface doesn’t really convert analog to digital data; however, it may handle each, not all, though at this time. The only mode of operation is possible if the graphics chipset, monitor, and connections are all equipped with DVI-I connectors that can handle both analog and electrical signals.

However, streaming video signals can only be transmitted over a DVI-D connection. A DVI-D connector with dual-link technology has 25 pins, while a single link DVI-D connector has 19 pins. DVI-D connections can use both DVI-D and DVI-I connections. By using an adapter, DVI-D visual cues can be transmitted through the HDMI and DisplayPort ports; however, DVI-D cannot handle the additional features offered by HDMI and Display, including simultaneous sound and CEC management.

Comparison Table Between DVI-I and DVI-D

Parameters of Comparison

DVI-I

DVI-D

Transmission

Both digital and analogue signals can be sent over the DVI-I connector.

Only digital signals are carried via a DVI-D connector.

Pins

There are a lot of pins on a DVI-I controller.

A DVI-D controller has a small number of pins.

Displays

DVI-I can be utilized with LED-backlit LCD monitors and CRT monitors.

DVI-D can only be utilized with LED-backlit LCD monitors.

Compatibility 

DVI-I products are compatible with VGA devices.

VGA devices are incompatible with DVI-D.

Numbers

Dual-link adapters have 29 pins, whereas single-link DVI-I connectors have 23 pins.

DVI-D connectors with dual links have 25 pins, while single-link DVI-D connections has 19 pins.

What is DVI-I?

An integrated digital visual interface is really the link or function that connects the display to a computer or home entertainment system. DVI-I is a streaming video output network that enables the display of a Led or CRT screen. Both digital and analog signals are supported by DVI-I. This will not, however, use it all at the same time. DVI-I detects the attached display and chooses between digital and analog output.

DVI-I ports can be found in products such as monitors with Leds backlit LCD screens and, with the help of a DVI to VGA converter, in earlier displays such as CRT displays. For the most part, this is why most people choose between graphics cards and processors with DVI-I connectors for their projects. Because of their improved capability, DVI-I connections are employed. Regarding participation in the expansion capacity, the DVI-I connection contains additional connections.

The huge straight pin on the DVI-I connector is often quite wide. The male connector of a DVI-I cable cannot connect to a DVI-D female converter because it lacks spaces for the extra pins because the DVI-I has extra pins. DVI also supports a third type of technology known as DVI-A, which is an interface that solely transfers analog signals. Owing to VGA’s popularity and success as an analog display connection technology, DVI-A is not extensively used.

What is DVI-D?

DVI-D is a DVI link that exclusively sends and receives electronic data. “Digital” is represented by the “D” at the end. It’s possible that this connection is a single-link or dual-link. In single-link, a single emitter is employed to provide a display size of up to 1920 x 1200 and a throughput of 1.65 Gbps. It has a high flattening pin for grounding and an 18-pin connector for electricity, data, and clocks. A second broadcaster is included in the dual-link version.

A dual (also called DVI-DL) features six additional data connections, allowing for a greater image resolution of 2560 x 1600 and a 2 Gbps throughput. The dual-link connector or socket can be used since it includes all of the technical solutions by a single user interface. On the other hand, a single-link adapter appears to be missing almost all the ports and mechanical connectors that the dual-link connector requires. With a few exceptions, such as DVI-lack D’s of signal amplification capacity, DVI-D is nearly identical to another touchscreen experience, HDMI.

To switch between DVI-D and HDMI, you’ll need a converter. VGA and DVI-D are not compatible. A DVI-D connector is used by most digital displays. A DVI-D and a VGA circuit board are commonly used in displays that handle both electric and analog signals. Male DVI-A or DVI-I cables will not work with female DVI-D connectors because those adapters have the extra four analog pins that DVI-D lacks.

Main Differences Between DVI-I and DVI-D

  1. DVI-D is a digital-only DVI connection, whereas DVI-I accepts both digital and analog signals.
  2. DVI-I connectors feature every one of the pins per one DVI cable, whereas DVI-D connectors lack the four pins required for analog signal transfer.
  3. The DVI-D connector’s wide and flattened connector is noticeably smaller than the DVI-I connector’s.
  4. A DVI-D connection cannot be plugged into the DVI-I port, and likewise.
  5. Dual-link DVI-D connectors feature 25 pins, whereas single-link DVI-D ports contain 19 pins. Only one DVI-I layout has 23 pins, whereas dual-link devices have 29 pins.

Conclusion

Dual Link’s principles enable you to use additional throughput, up to 7.92 Gbit/s, enabling you to choose a wider 2560 x 1600 monitor at 60Hz. However, a DVI-D link can be plugged into the DVI-I slot or the global slot, which takes all kinds of cables. This enables digital-only LCD screens to link to the computer’s universal interface.

Despite this, DVI cannot support 4K resolution. DVI-D and DVI-I are no longer supported and can only be used when HDMI or DisplayPort is not available. DVI isn’t as excellent as HDMI or DisplayPort, both of which have better optical performance and longevity.

References

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2796.1993.tb00707.x
  2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2168-0159.2012.tb05755.x