Some Background Information On The HDMI To DVI Cable

By Areelitaha Joahlanski

HDMI which stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a system developed for transmitting uncompressed digital signals between a host of compatible audio video devices. The HDMI to DVI cable was introduced late in 2003 around about the time that High Definition Television was becoming popular.

The cables primary use is for connecting Play Stations, Xboxes, set-top boxes, DVD players and Audio Video receivers with High-Definition TV's, computer monitors and many other audio visual devices.

The interface supports, all on one cable, the video formats for all PC's or TV's including up to 8 channels of digital audio which may be compressed or uncompressed and a Consumer Electronics Control connection. The CEC connector enables many High Definition units to have control over each other and also permits multiple units to be operated from a single remote handset.

The signal does not need to be converted because HDMI is electrically compatible with DVI or Digital Visual Interface. Video quality is not impaired by using the adapter cable. The other connecting standards like SCART, VGA, composite video, S-Video, co-axial cable and D-Terminal are rapidly being replaced by the digitally superior high-definition interface.

Rapidly approaching the de facto industry standard for HDTV, the marketing group In-Stat says that ninety percent of all high-definition TV sets manufactured in 2007 were fitted with the interface. Subsequently, In-Stat reported that 229 million of the devices were purchased in 2008 followed by a further 394 million in 2009. They further predicted that by the end of 2009 every digital TV would have HDMI installed.

The connector is manufactured in four different types, namely A, B, C and D. Type A has nineteen pins and is compatible with DVI-D. Type B has 29 pins and will transfer double the bandwidth of the Type A. Type C has a mini connection with 19 pins like the A type and was designed for portable equipment. Type D is a micro connector also with 19 pins but the plug has been shrunk to look more like a micro-USB one.

Several versions of the HDMI standard are in production and each one has been given a number. At present, versions 1.0 to 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 are being used and all of them use the same cable with the transmission bandwidth and capabilities being upgraded for each version. A specification for maximum cable length has not been established but the materials used and the method of manufacture are limiting factors to practical cable lengths. HDMI to DVI cable is currently available in 5 to 15 meter lengths.

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