subject: Which Is Good---hdmi Or Dvi? [print this page] From the time HDMI was released to the market, so many people have started comparing it to DVI. Is there truly a huge distinction between the two, or are they just similar. Heres a glance into both the HDMI and DVI cables and also their functions.
Before, it was DVI that dominated the industry. DVI is Digital Video Interface then HDMI arrived or the High-Definition Multimedia Interface. From the term alone you already have the idea that both are digital. HDMI and DVI have a lot in common and have certain differences.
First, HDMI holds both audio and video, whereas DVI does not. In case you are after convenience and cannot be bothered with working with several wires, then HDMI just might be for you. DVI, on the other hand, requires two different cables for the audio and video. Its not that much actually, if you are considering cable clutter, yet then again, a single cable for both audio and video is a lot better than two.
Digital technologys latest product is the HDMI and it is created to give top quality images and videos. This too is the same with DVI. Both can manage offering quality videos in high resolutions. High speed HDMI cables can offer 3840x2160 and 2096x2160 resolutions while DVI can offer up to 2560x1600. Even though they offer a much higher resolutions that analog cable does but still HDMI is one step higher than DVI.
Another benefit of HDMI over DVI is its security feature. HDMI offers a content security protection named High Definition Content Protection or simply HDCP. This HDCP functions by encrypting digital signals using an authentication key and in case the authentication failed then there's no signal transmission. This makes your data protected since nobody can simply transfer signals without the authentication key.
The physical appearance of the two is also very different from one another. HDMI again is ahead compared to DVI in this aspect. HDMI looks very much like a USB cable which is sleek and simpler to hook up whilst DVI is large with several pins at one end. Now, HDMI surely is more convenient to use compared to DVI but they have one thing in common, even though they can be used to have long runs like wall installations you should get the kind of HDMI and DVI that are thicker so it can effectively send out signal without signal loss.
If you opt to use HDMI, you might be glad to know that it is backward compatible, meaning you can attach a DVI source to an HDMI output. What you need to look for is a cable with a DVI connection at one end and HDMI on the other. This will let you connect DVI and HDMI devices without the need for external converters.
With all these info, HDMI certainly surpass DVI in transmitting uncompressed audio and video signals with just one single cable. With regards to resolution HDMI is also one step ahead of DVI. With bandwidth, HDMI can also work with a higher value. This actually brings HDMI over the edge as compared to DVI and this is why HDMI can support future digital technology.
