DVI Cable: An Awesome DVI Cable Guide You Need to know!

Are you looking for a custom DVI cable? Do you need help selecting the right cable?

You will get a variety of video cables to suit a wide range of needs. Even DVI cables come in different formats and configurations. So how do you go about choosing the right one?

This guide will provide all the information you need to become a pro on DVI cable. Then you can use your knowledge to buy the right DVI cable. You will get to know about the following:

• Different DVI formats
• Their use and differences from other cables
• Places to purchase DVI cables

Chapter 1: About DVI Cable

DVI is among the many video cables you find in the market. DVI stands for digital video interface. You can use a DVI cable for LCD monitors and modern GPUs. Before we go into the depths of DVI, let’s check out the main types of cables.

DVI is among the many video cables you find in the market. DVI stands for digital video interface. You can use a DVI cable for LCD monitors and modern GPUs. Before we go into the depths of DVI, let’s check out the main types of cables.

VGA Cable

IBM developed the VGA or Video Graphics Array format. You can use VGA cables for most televisions and computer monitors. VGA cable has a 15-pin connector. You can get a maximum resolution of 2053 x 1536 pixels.

VGA cables only transmit analog signals.

DVI Cable

DVI cable can transmit uncompressed digital video signals. You can also use different types of DVI for carrying analog signals. DVI cables come in different formats like DVI-D, DVI-A, and DVI-I.

DVI cable offers higher quality and resolution compared to VGA cables.

HDMI Cable

Many TVs and PC monitors use HDMI cables. HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. It is the most common cable for home theater systems as it supports 3D video signals.

DisplayPort Cable

DisplayPort cables are available in one, two, and four-link formats. They have high data capacities of up to 17.28 Gbit/s. Many devices like monitors come with a DisplayPort and support up to four 1920 x 1200 monitors.

DVI Vs. HDMI: Major Differences

• HDMI supports both audio and video. DVI only supports video signals. You need a separate cable for audio.
• DVI is not compatible with HDCP encryption. You may not be able to play HD content or Blu-Ray videos.
• DVI is more common for LCD monitors and computers. HDMI is the default cable for smart TVs, HDTVs, and home theaters.
• Dual-link DVI can support resolutions up to 2560×1600 pixels. HDMI can support up to 1920×1200 pixels.
• DVI cable has three formats. On the other hand, HDMI has five different connector types.
• HDMI may be more user-friendly than DVI cables.

The next chapter will look at the top things to consider in a custom DVI cable.

Chapter 2: Top Things to Look for in Custom DVI Cable

Have you placed an order for a custom DVI cable?

Before you put your cable to use, there are a few things to check. You need to make sure your custom DVI cable matches your specifications. Only then can you use it effectively.

Here are the most important things to look for in a custom DVI-

DVI Connector

The DVI connector is the first thing you should check. Make a count of the pins to ensure they match your design. The number of pins and their arrangement should also be on your inspection list. 

• You can count the pins to determine whether it’s DVI-D, DVI-I, or DVI-A.
• The arrangement will also tell you whether it’s a single link or a double link.

Cable Length

The next thing to check is the length of the DVI cable. Your custom cable should be long enough to establish the connection. It would help if you didn’t have to pull or stretch the wire. This will only damage the cable.

For best results, decide the cable length you will need. Then place the order for your custom DVI cable.

Quality

You must also want your DVI cable to be durable and of high quality. Nobody wants to compromise on quality! So check if the quality matches your expectations. Carefully inspect the insulation, connector, pins, and other components of the cable.

If you find any quality issues, ask for a refund or place a new order. You can also do a few things to ensure quality-

• Go for a reputed cable shop or manufacturer.
• Check the products of the company before you order
• Read reviews and testimonials of existing customers
• Ask for a sample

Now comes the turn to explore the different formats of cable.

Chapter 3: DVI Customization – The Different DVI Formats

You can find different formats of DVI cables in the market. Here’s a breakdown of the formats to help you choose the right one.

For Digital Video: DVI-D

You can use DVI-D cables for connecting video sources to a video output device directly. For example, you can use DVI-D to connect GPU with LCD monitors.

DVI-D cables support higher qualities and offer more speed. This is due to the digital format of the signal.

DVI-D cables eliminate the need for format conversion, and most video cards produce digital signals. But they convert them to analog signals for transmission.

But DVI-D cables can transfer the digital signal to the monitor directly. The monitor then again converts the analog signal to digital.

High-Resolution Analog: DVI-A

You can use a DVI-A cable to connect to a VGA monitor. DVI-A cables transmit analog signals to analog display devices. You can use them for cheap LCD monitors or other analog devices.

DVI-A and VGA cables carry the same analog signal. Like VGA, you may experience some quality loss.

Optimum Functionality: DVI-I

DVI-I cables come in integrated forms. They can transmit digital-to-digital or analog-to-analog signals. For this reason, you can use them in versatile applications. DVI-I is suitable for both analog and digital transmission.

Remember that DVI digital and analog formats are not interchangeable. You can’t use DVI-A for digital devices or DVI-D for analog devices.

You may connect analog to digital, but you need a converter (VGA to DVI-D converter). For connecting digital to analog, you will need a DVI-D to VGA converter.

Now, let’s check out what cables to use for various devices.

Chapter 4: Which DVI Cable do I Need for My Device?

You will need different types of DVI cables for different devices. Here are a few guidelines to choose the right cable.

1. What DVI cable do I need for a 144Hz monitor?

You can use a DVI-D dual link cable for a 144Hz monitor. Dual-link DVI-D supports 144Hz at 1080p.

2. What cable do I need for my CRT monitor?

Your CRT monitor is compatible with only analog signals. So it would help if you had a DVI-A cable.

3. Which cable is suitable for high-resolution gaming?

You can take the help of a dual-link DVI-D cable for intense gaming. It supports a resolution of up to 2560×1600 pixels. DVI-I is also suitable for moderate gaming needs.

4. Which DVI cable do I use for audio signals?

DVI only supports video formats. To transmit audio signals, you have to use a DVI-to-HDMI converter or cable.

5. My graphics card has two connectors. Which DVI cable do I need?

The two connectors on your graphics card may be for analog and digital signals. For the analog connector, use a DVI-A cable. You can use a DVI-D or DVI-I for the digital connector.

6. I have an old HDTV. Which DVI should I use?

First, check whether your HDTV has a DVI or HDMI connector. If it has a DVI connector, you can use a DVI-D cable.

In the next chapter, we will explore single and dual DVI links.

Chapter 5: Single and Dual DVI Links

DVI cables that carry digital signals may come in a single link or dual link. That means you get single and dual links for DVI-D and DVI-I cables. Dual-link cables can support higher resolutions. A single-link DVI cable has 12 pins missing. Dual-link DVI, on the other hand, uses all 24 pins.

So, what is the difference between the two?

Single Link DVI Cable

DVI cables transmit signals using a format called TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling). Single link DVI takes the help of one TDMS 165MHz transmitter. It can support resolutions of 2.75 megapixels at a 60Hz refresh rate.

On-screen, this translates to a resolution of 2,098 × 1,311 pixels for a 16:10 ratio. For 4:3 ratio, it supports resolutions of 1,915 × 1,436 pixels.

Dual Link DVI Cable

Dual-link DVI supports higher resolutions than single-link DVI. You can enjoy resolutions of 2560×1600 pixels at a 60Hz refresh rate. This is ideal for high-end gaming and high-definition videos. At 120Hz, you can get a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels.

Dual-link DVI cable uses two TDMS 165MHz transmitters instead of one. Each link comes with 3 data channels to carry RGB information. The dual links enable the cable to double the power transmission. You can also take advantage of high speed and strong signal quality.

Now we will show you how to recognize a cable easily.

Chapter 6: How to Identify a DVI Cable?

With so many cables out there, you may find it confusing to identify a DVI cable. That’s why we thought of giving you a few tips. Here’s how you can recognize a cable quickly.

It would help if you looked at the DVI connector as there are two variables.

1. Look for a flat pin on the side of the DVI cable. It will tell you whether it’s a digital or analog cable.

• If you find a flat pin with four pins around it, then it’s either DVI-A or DVI-I cable.
• If you see a single flat pin, then it’s a DVI-D cable.

2. The pin sets of the cable will tell you whether it’s analog, single-link, or dual-link.

• A single link cable will have two separate 9-pin sets in six rows.
• A dual-link cable will have 24-pin sets in rows of eight.
• A DVI-A cable will have separate 8-pin and 4-pin sets.

Now you know how to identify different DVI cables. Next, we will tell you where you can buy your cables from.

Chapter 7: Where to Buy Custom DVI Cable?

You will get DVI cables in various stores and shops. But you may need to shop around a bit for custom cables. You can try the following places.

Local Electrical, Audio/Video, and Computer Shops

Many electrical stores sell DVI cables. You can also find them in your local computer and audio/video shops. Before buying, check whether they sell custom DVI cables. You may also be able to place an order for custom cables.

Online Stores

You can browse various online stores that sell custom DVI cables. A simple Google will help you find many online stores.

You should check the reputation of the seller before you place your order. Also, check reviews to ensure the cables are of good quality.

It’s best to go for online stores in your area to enjoy free or low shipping rates.

Custom DVI Cable Manufacturers

If you cannot find your custom cable, you can approach DVI cable manufacturers. They will be able to produce DVI cables matching your design and specifications.

Placing an order with a manufacturer is also suitable if you are ordering large batches. You can also get your cables at much lower prices than in retail stores.

With Cloom Tech, you get the cable you need, with professional customer service you will love. Contact us to know more about how we can help our commercial and B2B customers do more.

Conclusion

By now, you must have learned a lot about DVI cable. You can now pick the right cable for whatever you need to have. We have also told you about other cables to make you fully aware.

If you still haven’t found the right DVI cable, we recommend you contact us. We manufacture the highest quality, custom DVI cables based on your design and requirements.