For years, Video
Graphics Array (VGA) has been the standard for connecting analog monitors to
computers.
Times are changing.
Ever
since the introduction of digital flat panel LCD monitors into the highly
competitive video monitor marketplace, there was a push to develop a standard to
effective carry component video out to the masses wanting to experience a
better viewing experience of video or computer signals. Several early standards were proposed
including Digital Flat Panel or DFP which is an early digital-only interface
that suffered from resolution limits. Eventually, Digital Visual Interface or DVI
emerged as the new interface for Digital flat panel LCD monitors and video
cards.
One of the most
confusing aspects of DVI is that there are actually three different types of
cables and connectors.
Digital Only Signal
or DVI-D or Digital Only Signal is the most common type. Almost all of today's
DVI capable devices on the market use a DVI-D interface.
Integrated Analog and
Digital or DVI-I cables and connectors offer the best of both worlds: a single
cable and connector that can transmit both a digital and an analog signal.
Since a DVI-I connector offers the most flexibility, video cards such as the
ATI Radeon 8500 use this connector so that either a DVI digital screen or VGA
monitor can be connected. In practice, DVI Analog-only cables are rare, and DVI
Analog devices are non-existent.
Analog Only Signals
or DVI-A uses a DVI style connector on a
cable that sends an analog-only signal, which can be understood by analog VGA
monitors. In a digital-only world, "DVI Analog" would make no sense.
However, as with all new technologies, there needs to be way to connect to
older equipment.
Mini-DVI connectors
are capable of carrying DVI, VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters,
detected with EDID (Extended display identification data) via DDC (Display Data
Channel). This connector is often used in place of a DVI connector in order to
save physical space on devices. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections
and hence cannot support resolutions higher than 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz.
Don't forget these additionally
issues: these signals come through single or dual link cables-primarily 8
versus 24 pins, most DVI digital devices have connectors that can accept dual
link cables, a few plasma TVs that can only accept a single link cable and in
DVI like anything else, an Analog signal will only talk to analog devices, and
a Digital signal will only talk to digital devices.
Give GET, LLC a call at
671-483-0789 or drop us a line at www.get-guam.com to make sure you get the
exact digital video cable you need. We
are proud to be a Panduit Business Partner and an Authorized Reseller for the
Fiber Optic Marketplace LLC.