DVD Cables - I, D, A

[jonathan_phang]

Hello,

just a query on behalf of a friend - he has a media computer and wants to connect his GPU (I think an 8600GT to ) to his HDTV through a DVI cable. Howver, which type does he need - there is DVD-I, DVD-A and DVI-D.

I've never had to thinl about this as I've always had an analogue (VGA) monitor/GPU so which one should be used?

JP

[shaithis]

DVI-I or DVI-D

"D" is digital, "I" is bi-wired digital and analog

[jonathan_phang]

I read all about them on wikipedia, so I know what the differences in cable are - just not which one is needed to connect the media centre to TV. Would i be right in thinking that the DVD-I is incase you want to connect to a vga port? (In which case it would be better to just use the adaptor that comes with GPUs and then get a VGA cable right?).

I think that I will recommend the DVD-D cable as it should be a full digital connection from computer to Tv, so I guess no need for the analogue signal too?

[shaithis]

If you use DVI-D, you SHOULD get 1:1 pixel mapping, which is GREAT for HTPCs/MCEs

If you use the analogue part of DVI-I (or a DVI-A cable) the equipment at BOTH ends needs to analogue compatible, many TVs are not. Also the DVI>VGA converters only route the VGA signal to the analogue pins of the DVI, no digital to analogue conversion is taking place. So, most TVs will not work if you use VGA out from PC and then slap a VGA>DVI dongle on the cable.

DVI-I cables are just handy because they can be multi purpose, although if its only ever going to be used for this one job, you might as well get DVI-D.

[s_kinton]

Its DVI-x, not DVD-x

Anyhow, just go to your shop and buy a DVI cable. It'll work fine.

[jonathan_phang]

Its DVI-x, not DVD-x

Ok Mr Pedantic After typing in DVI-D in a few times, I think that i was confusing myself, its like a typing tongue twister! And I know its being fussy, but I'm researching on behalf of a work mate - I just said get a DVI-D too - but need to make sure if I'm giving out advice.

Personally, i just use HDMI from my media PC - much simpler! But thanks anyway.

[kbobiller]

I thought DVDA was a special connection involving four chaps and one talented lady...