What is DVI?

DVI, or Digital Visual Interface , is a video display interface developed to transmit video signals from a computer to a monitor. Unlike older analog standards such as VGA, DVI was designed to support both digital and analog video , providing clearer images, higher resolutions, and more flexibility in display technology.

History and Development

1. Origins (Late 1990s)

   • DVI was developed by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) in 1999.

   • The goal was to create a universal interface for video displays that could support both existing analog devices (VGA) and emerging digital flat-panel displays (LCDs).

2. Versions and Types
   DVI evolved into different connector types to meet varying needs:

   • DVI-A (Analog Only): Carries analog signals, compatible with VGA displays.

   • DVI-D (Digital Only): Carries digital signals, ideal for LCD/LED monitors.

   • DVI-I (Integrated): Supports both analog and digital signals for maximum compatibility.

3. Technical Capabilities

   • Maximum resolution depends on single-link vs. dual-link :

     • Single-Link DVI: Up to 1920×1200 @ 60 Hz

     • Dual-Link DVI: Up to 2560×1600 @ 60 Hz

   • Supports progressive scan and delivers sharper images than VGA.

4. Adoption and Legacy

   • Widely used in PC monitors, graphics cards, projectors, and KVM switches during the 2000s.

   • Eventually, HDMI and DisplayPort became more popular due to audio support, higher resolutions, and smaller connectors, but DVI remains in use for some professional and legacy systems.

Significance

• Bridging the gap: DVI helped transition the market from analog CRT displays to digital flat-panel displays.

• Compatibility: DVI-I and adapters allowed older devices to work with newer digital displays.

• Foundation for modern interfaces: Technologies like HDMI and DisplayPort built on concepts introduced by DVI, such as dual-link data transmission and high-resolution digital video. 
  

Club 3D Solutions for DVI-D HDCP

The simple way to get the correct adapter with:  HDCP-ON  or  OFF

What is HDCP?  Audiovisual content is increasingly disseminated in digital form on the Web, as well as on physical media. As a result, content providers are using various content protection technologies to prevent unauthorized use.  High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP)  protects the last stage in the distribution process, encrypting content transmitted over digital interfaces from set-top boxes, DVD players, personal computers and game consoles, to display devices such as high definition TVs. The consumer electronics industry has rapidly adopted HDCP for the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). 

HDCP-protected systems may include three types of devices: sources, sinks and repeaters. HDCP protects data as it is transmitted between each of these devices when they are connected via HDMI or other HDCP-protected digital interfaces.   HDCP versions  ranges from 1.0 to 2.2.  HDCP 2.2  versions are not backwards compatible due to security and hacking risks. In general all packaged and digital premium  4K  content released after 2015 will be encrypted with  HDCP version 2.2 .  If you anticipate playback through your system, display interfaces and signal management equipment they will need to be compliant with version 2.2 at every interface.

Some displays don’t have the option to support HDCP, so normally they would be excluded from being choosen in a this situation. For this reason Club 3D has the HDCP OFF version to support for example the Apple Cinema Display.