The difference between HDMI and DVI cables

There are two kinds of cables that are used to link electronic devices. One of these is the digital visual interface (DVI) cable.

The other is the high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable.

Many consumers wonder what the difference between them is as well as simply which one to buy.

They have many similarities but a few subtle differences that favour HDMI cables. DVI was released in 1999 as a digital standard.

It was originally designed to carry uncompressed digital video data to some sort of visual display device.

Typically, these devices consisted of computer monitors initially but later were used with televisions.

DVI has three primary methods of connection. These include DVI-D which is only digital, DVI-A which is only analog and DVI-I which uses both digital and analog.

HDMI was released later in 2002 and marketed as an all digital interface for both audio and video data streams. HDMI was also designed to transmit audio signals not only video.

Additionally, it also used HDCP, which is a type of digital rights management technology.

There is actually few differences between DVI and HDMI cables. The main difference is that HDMI has a few more features than DVI.

But HDMI cables do transmit both digital audio and video, unlike HDMI which just supports video. HDMI also protects content with its inclusion of high definition content protection.

Actually, the two end up having more similarities than differences. They can both be used to transmit digital signals and are based on similar specifications.

Despite their subtle and few differences, the HDMI cable is your best choice. HDMI is able to also handle digital audio which DVI cannot.

Also, the industry as a whole is pushing towards having the HDMI cable be standard on all devices.

Therefore, if you purchase newer audio and video devices, they will need an HDMI cable and will not be able to use DVI. DVI is more commonly used with older devices and many computers.

If you have older devices, it doesn’t hurt to continue using the DVI cables.

However, as you upgrade and replace devices, you will need to purchase HDMI cables.