Digital Visual Interface - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

Digital Visual Interface

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video
display interface developed by the Digital Display Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
Working Group (DDWG). The digital interface is
used to connect a video source, such as a video
display controller, to a display device, such as a
computer monitor. It was developed with the
intention of creating an industry standard for the
transfer of digital video content.

This interface is designed to transmit

uncompressed digital video and can be
configured to support multiple modes such as
DVI-A (analog only), DVI-D (digital only) or
DVI-I (digital and analog). Featuring support for
analog connections, the DVI specification is A male DVI-D (single link) connector
compatible with the VGA interface.[1] This Type Digital computer video
compatibility, along with other advantages, led to connector
its widespread acceptance over competing digital
Production history
display standards Plug and Display (P&D) and
Digital Flat Panel (DFP).[2] Although DVI is Designer Digital Display Working Group
predominantly associated with computers, it is Designed April 1999
sometimes used in other consumer electronics
Produced 1999–present
such as television sets and DVD players.
Superseded VGA connector
Superseded DisplayPort, HDMI
by
Contents
General specifications
Technical overview
Hot Yes
Cable length pluggable
Connector External Yes

Specifications Video signal Digital video stream:

Single link: 1920 × 1200
Digital
(WUXGA) @ 60 Hz
Digital data encoding Dual link: 2560 × 1600
Clock and data relationship (WQXGA) @ 60 Hz
Display power management Analog video stream:
1920 × 1200 (WUXGA) @ 60 Hz
Analog
Pins 29
DVI and HDMI compatibility
Data
Proposed successors Bitrate (Single link) 3.96 Gbit/s
See also (Dual link) 7.92 Gbit/s
Max. 1
References
devices

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Protocol 3 × transition minimized

Further reading
differential signaling data and
clock
Technical overview Pinout

DVI's digital video transmission format is based

on panelLink, a serial format developed by Silicon
Image that utilizes a high-speed serial link called
transition minimized differential signaling
(TMDS). Like modern analog VGA connectors, A female DVI-I socket from the front
the DVI connector includes pins for the display
data channel (DDC). A newer version of DDC
called DDC2 allows the graphics adapter to read
the monitor's extended display identification data
(EDID). If a display supports both analog and
digital signals in one DVI-I input, each input
method can host a distinct EDID. Since the DDC Color coded (click to read text)
can only support one EDID, this can be a problem Pin 1 TMDS data Digital red−
if both the digital and analog inputs in the DVI-I 2− (link 1)
port detect activity. It is up to the display to
Pin 2 TMDS data Digital red+
choose which EDID to send.
2+ (link 1)
When a source and display are connected, the Pin 3 TMDS data
source first queries the display's capabilities by 2/4 shield
reading the monitor EDID block over an I²C link.
Pin 4 TMDS data Digital green−
The EDID block contains the display's
identification, color characteristics (such as 4− (link 2)
gamma value), and table of supported video Pin 5 TMDS data Digital green+
modes. The table can designate a preferred mode 4+ (link 2)
or native resolution. Each mode is a set of CRT
Pin 6 DDC clock
timing values that define the duration and
frequency of the horizontal/vertical sync, the Pin 7 DDC data
positioning of the active display area, the Pin 8 Analog
horizontal resolution, vertical resolution, and vertical sync
refresh rate.
Pin 9 TMDS data Digital green−
For backward compatibility with displays using 1− (link 1)
analog VGA signals, some of the contacts in the Pin 10 TMDS data Digital green+
DVI connector carry the analog VGA signals. To 1+ (link 1)
ensure a basic level of interoperability, DVI
Pin 11 TMDS data
compliant devices are required to support one
baseline video mode, "low pixel format" 1/3 shield
(640 × 480 at 60 Hz). Digitally encoded video Pin 12 TMDS data Digital blue−
pixel data is transported using multiple TMDS 3− (link 2)
links. At the electrical level, these links are highly
Pin 13 TMDS data Digital blue+
resistant to electrical noise and other forms of
3+ (link 2)
analog distortion.
Pin 14 +5 V Power for
A single link DVI connection consists of four monitor when
TMDS links; each link transmits data from the in standby
source to the device over one twisted pair. Three
of the links represent the RGB components (red,
green, and blue) of the video signal for a total of

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24 bits per pixel. The fourth link carries the pixel Pin 15 Ground Return for pin
clock. The binary data is encoded using 8b/10b 14 and analog
encoding. DVI does not use packetization, but sync
rather transmits the pixel data as if it were a
rasterized analog video signal. As such, the Pin 16 Hot plug
complete frame is drawn during each vertical detect
refresh period. The full active area of each frame Pin 17 TMDS data Digital blue−
is always transmitted without compression. Video 0− (link 1) and
modes typically use horizontal and vertical digital sync
refresh timings that are compatible with CRT
displays, though this is not a requirement. In Pin 18 TMDS data Digital blue+
single-link mode, the maximum pixel clock 0+ (link 1) and
frequency is 165 MHz that supports a maximum digital sync
resolution of 2.75 megapixels (including blanking Pin 19 TMDS data
interval) at 60 Hz refresh. For practical purposes, 0/5 shield
this allows a maximum 16:10 screen resolution of
1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz. Pin 20 TMDS data Digital red−
5− (link 2)
To support higher-resolution display devices, the Pin 21 TMDS data Digital red+
DVI specification contains a provision for dual 5+ (link 2)
link. Dual-link DVI doubles the number of TMDS
pairs, effectively doubling the video bandwidth. Pin 22 TMDS clock
As a result, higher resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 shield
are supported at 60 Hz. Pin 23 TMDS clock+ Digital clock+
(links 1 and 2)

Cable length Pin 24 TMDS clock− Digital clock−

(links 1 and 2)
The maximum length recommended for DVI C1 Analog red  
cables is not included in the specification, since it
C2 Analog green  
is dependent on the pixel clock frequency. In
general, cable lengths up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) will C3 Analog blue  
work for display resolutions up to 1920 × 1200. C4 Analog  
Longer cables up to 15 metres (49 ft) in length can horizontal
be used with display resolutions 1280 × 1024 or
sync
lower. For greater distances, the use of a DVI
booster—a signal repeater which may use an C5 Analog Return for R, G,
external power supply—is recommended to help ground and B signals
mitigate signal degradation.

Connector

Female M1-DA connector

pins (view of plug)

The DVI connector on a device is given one of three names, depending on which signals it
implements:

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▪ DVI-I (integrated, combines digital and analog in the

same connector; digital may be single or dual link)
▪ DVI-D (digital only, single link or dual link)
▪ DVI-A (analog only)

Most DVI connector types—the exception is DVI-A—have

pins that pass digital video signals. These come in two
varieties: single link and dual link. Single link DVI employs
a single 165 MHz transmitter that supports resolutions up to
1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz. Dual link DVI adds six pins, at the
center of the connector, for a second transmitter increasing
the bandwidth and supporting resolutions up to
2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz.[3] A connector with these additional
pins is sometimes referred to as DVI-DL (dual link). Dual
link should not be confused with dual display (also known
as dual head), which is a configuration consisting of a single
computer connected to two monitors, sometimes using a
DMS-59 connector for two single link DVI connections.
Female DVI connector pins
In addition to digital, some DVI connectors also have pins (view
DVI port onof plug) HD CRT TV that
a Sony
that pass an analog signal, which can be used to connect an complies with EIA-861
analog monitor. The analog pins are the four that surround
the flat blade on a DVI-I or DVI-A connector. A VGA
monitor, for example, can be connected to a video source with DVI-I through the use of a
passive adapter. Since the analog pins are directly compatible with VGA signaling, passive
adapters are simple and cheap to produce, providing a cost-effective solution to support VGA on
DVI. The long flat pin on a DVI-I connector is wider than the same pin on a DVI-D connector,
so even if the four analog pins were manually removed, it still wouldn't be possible to connect a
male DVI-I to a female DVI-D. It is possible, however, to join a male DVI-D connector with a
female DVI-I connector.[4]

DVI is the only widespread video standard that includes analog and digital transmission in the
same connector.[5] Competing standards are exclusively digital: these include a system using
low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS), known by its proprietary names FPD-Link (flat-panel
display) and FLATLINK; and its successors, the LVDS Display Interface (LDI) and OpenLDI.

Some DVD players, HDTV sets, and video projectors have DVI connectors that transmit an
encrypted signal for copy protection using the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
(HDCP) protocol. Computers can be connected to HDTV sets over DVI, but the graphics card
must support HDCP to play content protected by digital rights management (DRM).

Specifications

Digital
▪ Minimum clock frequency: 25.175 MHz
▪ Single link maximum data rate including 8b/10b overhead is 4.95 Gbit/s @ 165 MHz.
With the 8b/10b overhead subtracted, the maximum data rate is 3.96 Gbit/s.
▪ Dual link maximum data rate is twice that of single link. Including 8b/10b overhead,

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the maximum data rate is 9.90 Gbit/s @ 165 MHz.

With the 8b/10b overhead subtracted, the maximum
data rate is 7.92 Gbit/s.
▪ Pixels per clock cycle:

▪ 1 (single link at 24 bits or less per pixel, and dual

link at between 25 and 48 bits inclusively per
pixel) or
▪ 2 (dual link at 24 bits or less per pixel)
▪ Bits per pixel:

▪ 24 bits per pixel support is mandatory in all

resolutions supported.
▪ Less than 24 bits per pixel is optional.
▪ Up to 48 bits per pixel are supported in dual link
DVI, and is optional. If a mode greater than 24
bits per pixel is desired, the least significant bits
are sent on the second link.
▪ Example display modes (single link):

▪ SXGA (1280 × 1024) @ 85 Hz with GTF blanking

(159 MHz)
▪ HDTV (1920 × 1080) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB blanking
(139 MHz) DVI output connector on a
computer
▪ UXGA (1600 × 1200) @ 60 Hz with GTF blanking
(161 MHz)
▪ WUXGA (1920 × 1200) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB
blanking (154 MHz)
▪ WQXGA (2560 × 1600) @ 30 Hz with CVT-RB
blanking (132 MHz)
▪ Example display modes (dual link):
A passive DVI-to-VGA adapter. This
▪ QXGA (2048 × 1536) @ 72 Hz with CVT blanking (2
adapter will not work with a DVI-D
× 163 MHz) output. It requires a DVI-I or DVI-A
▪ HDTV (1920 × 1080) @ 120 Hz with CVT-RB output to get the analog signal to
blanking (2 × 143 MHz) a VGA input (even if the adapter
looks like a DVI-D). A more
▪ WUXGA (1920 × 1200) @ 120 Hz with CVT-RB expensive active adapter (or
blanking (2 × 154 MHz) converter) is required to connect
DVI-D to VGA.
▪ WQXGA (2560 × 1600) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB
blanking (2 × 135 MHz)
▪ WQUXGA (3840 × 2400) @ 30 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (2 × 146 MHz)

Generalized Timing Formula (GTF) is a VESA standard which can easily be calculated with the
Linux gtf utility. Coordinated Video Timings-Reduced Blanking (CVT-RB) is a VESA standard

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which offers reduced horizontal and vertical blanking for non-CRT based displays. [6]

Digital data encoding

One of the purposes of DVI stream encoding is to provide a DC-balanced output link that
reduces decoding errors. This goal is achieved by using 10-bit symbols for 8-bit or less
characters and using the extra bits for the DC balancing.

Like other ways of transmitting video, there are two different regions: the active region, where
pixel data is sent, and the control region, where synchronization signals are sent. The active
region is encoded using transition-minimized differential signaling, where the control region is
encoded with a fixed 8b/10b encoding. As the two schemes yield different 10-bit symbols, a
receiver can fully differentiate between active and control regions.

When DVI was designed, most computer monitors were still of the cathode ray tube type that
require analog video synchronization signals. The timing of the digital synchronization signals
matches the equivalent analog ones, making the process of transforming DVI to and from an
analog signal a process that does not require extra (high-speed) memory, expensive at the time.

HDCP is an extra layer that transforms the 10-bit symbols before sending through the link. Only
after correct authorization can the receiver undo the HDCP encryption. Control regions are not
encrypted in order to let the receiver know when the active region starts.

Clock and data relationship

The DVI data channel operates at a bit-rate that is 10 times the frequency of the clock signal. In
other words, in each DVI clock period there is a 10-bit symbol per channel. The set of three 10-
bit symbols represents one complete pixel in single link mode and can represent either one or
two complete pixels as a set of six 10-bit symbols in dual link mode.

DVI links provide differential pairs for data and for the clock. The specification document allows
the data and the clock to not be aligned. However, as the ratio between clock and bit rate is fixed
at 1:10, the unknown alignment is kept over time. The receiver must recover the bits on the
stream using any of the techniques of clock/data recovery and find then the correct symbol
boundary. The DVI specification allows the input clock to vary between 25 MHz and 165 MHz.
This 1:6.6 ratio can make pixel recovery difficult, as phase-locked loops, if used, need to work
over a large frequency range. One benefit of DVI over other links is that it is relatively
straightforward to transform the signal from the digital domain into the analog domain using a
video DAC, as both clock and synchronization signals are sent over the link. Fixed frequency
links, like DisplayPort, need to reconstruct the clock from the data sent over the link.

Display power management

The DVI specification includes signaling for reducing power consumption. Similar to the analog
VESA display power management signaling (DPMS) standard, a connected device can turn a
monitor off when the connected device is powered down, or programmatically if the display
controller of the device supports it. Devices with this capability can also attain Energy Star
certification.

Analog

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The analog section of the DVI specification document is brief and points to other specifications
like VESA VSIS[7] for electrical characteristics and GTFS for timing information. The idea of the
analog link is to keep compatibility with the previous VGA cables and connectors. HSync, Vsync
and three video channels are available in both VGA and DVI connectors and are electrically
compatible. Auxiliary links like DDC are also available. A passive adapter can be used in order
to carry the analog signals between the two connectors.

DVI and HDMI compatibility

HDMI is a newer digital audio/video interface developed and promoted by the consumer
electronics industry. DVI and HDMI have the same electrical specifications for their TMDS and
VESA/DDC links. However HDMI and DVI differ in several key ways.

▪ HDMI lacks VGA compatibility and does not include analog signals.
▪ DVI is limited to the RGB color model while HDMI also supports YCbCr 4:4:4 and YCbCr
4:2:2 color spaces which are generally not used for computer graphics.
▪ In addition to digital video, HDMI supports the transport of packets used for digital
audio.
▪ HDMI sources differentiate between legacy DVI displays and HDMI-capable displays by
reading the display's EDID block.

To promote interoperability between DVI-D and HDMI devices, HDMI source components and
displays support DVI-D signalling. For example, an HDMI display can be driven by a DVI-D
source because HDMI and DVI-D both define an overlapping minimum set of supported
resolutions and frame buffer formats.

Some DVI-D sources use non-standard extensions to output HDMI signals including audio (e.g.
ATI 3000-series and NVIDIA GTX 200-series).[8] Some multimedia displays use a DVI to
HDMI adapter to input the HDMI signal with audio. Exact capabilities vary by video card
specifications.

In the reverse scenario, a DVI display that lacks optional support for HDCP might be unable to
display protected content even though it is otherwise compatible with the HDMI source.
Features specific to HDMI such as remote control, audio transport, xvYCC and deep color are
not usable in devices that support only DVI signals. HDCP compatibility between source and
destination devices is subject to manufacturer specifications for each device.

Proposed successors
▪ IEEE 1394 is proposed by High-Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA Alliance
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080928130647/http://www.hanaalliance.org/hana_sol
utions/use_cases)) for all cabling needs, including video, over coax or 1394 cable as a
combined data stream. However, this interface does not have enough throughput to
handle uncompressed HD video, so it is unsuitable for applications that require
uncompressed HD video like video games and interactive program guides.
▪ High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a forward-compatible standard that also
includes digital audio transmission
▪ Unified Display Interface (UDI) was proposed by Intel to replace both DVI and HDMI,

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but was deprecated in favor of DisplayPort.

▪ DisplayPort (a license-free standard proposed by VESA to succeed DVI that has optional
DRM mechanisms) / Mini DisplayPort
▪ Thunderbolt: an interface that has the same form factor as Mini DisplayPort (in version
1 and 2) or USB-C (in version 3 and 4) but combines PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort
(DP) into one serial signal, permitting the connection of PCIe devices in addition to
video displays. It provides DC power as well.

In December 2010, Intel, AMD, and several computer and display manufacturers announced
they would stop supporting DVI-I, VGA and LVDS-technologies from 2013/2015, and instead
speed up adoption of DisplayPort and HDMI.[9][10] They also stated: "Legacy interfaces such as
VGA, DVI and LVDS have not kept pace, and newer standards such as DisplayPort and HDMI
clearly provide the best connectivity options moving forward. In our opinion, DisplayPort 1.2 is
the future interface for PC monitors, along with HDMI 1.4a for TV connectivity".

See also
▪ DMS-59 - a single DVI sized connector providing two single link DVI or VGA channels
▪ List of video connectors
▪ DiiVA
▪ Lightning (connector)

References
1. "Digital Visual Interface adoption accelerates as industry prepares for next wave of
DVI-compliant products" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070828233809/http://www.d
dwg.org/articles.asp?id=22). DDWG, copy preserved by Internet Archive. February 16,
2000. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
2. Eiden, Hermann (July 7, 1999). "TFT Guide Part 3 - Digital Interfaces" (http://www.toms
hardware.com/reviews/tft-guide-part-3,117.html). TomsHardware.com. Retrieved
29 March 2012.
3. Walton, Jarred (March 2, 2007). "Dell 2407WFP and 3007WFP LCD Comparison" (http://
www.anandtech.com/show/2184/2). AnandTech. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
4. Docter, Quentin; Dulaney, Emmett; Skandier, Toby (2012). CompTIA A+ Complete Deluxe
Study Guide: Exams 220-801 and 220-802. Indianapolis, Indiana: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISBN 978-1118324066.
5. Kruegle, Herman (2006). "8" (https://books.google.com/books?id=DaQY8CrmqFcC&q=
DVI+is+the+only+widespread+video+standard+that+includes+analog+and+digital+tran
smission+options+in+the+same+connector.&pg=PA268). CCTV Surveillance: Analog and
Digital Video Practices And Technology. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 268.
ISBN 0-7506-7768-6.
6. "Advanced Timing and CEA/EIA-861B Timings" (http://www.nvidia.com/object/advance
d_timings.html). NVIDIA. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
7. Video Signal Standard (VSIS) Version 1, Rev. 2, available for purchuase at
http://www.vesa.org/
8. "HDMI Specification 1.3a Appendix C" (http://www.hdmi.org) (PDF). HDMI Licensing,
LLC. 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2009-11-18.

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9. Intel Newsrom (http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2010/12/

08/leading-pc-companies-move-to-all-digital-display-technology-phasing-out-analog) –
Leading PC Companies Move to All Digital Display Technology, Phasing out Analog (8.
December 2010)
10. "HDMI versions" (https://www.ruconnected.nl/hdmi-versies/). 2017-01-17. Wednesday,
1 February 2017

Further reading
▪ Silicon Image; Molex (1999-04-02). "Digital Visual Interface" (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20120813201146/http://www.ddwg.org/lib/dvi_10.pdf) (PDF). Revision 1.0: Initial
Specification Release. Digital Display Working Group. Archived from the original on
2012-08-13.

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