DVI vs HDMI vs DisplayPort

DVI vs HDMI vs DisplayPort.

Did you know that your computer monitor has multiple ports for connecting to your computer? You may wonder why there are so many of them and what is the difference between them.

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These video links usually have initials instead of names, so we’ll figure it out for you. Let’s find out everything you need to know about DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort video connectors.

You may be wondering why we’re not talking about USB-C and Thunderbolt video connections. It’s true that USB-C can carry video, and DisplayPort and HDMI are working to make their specs work over USB-C, but that’s not that popular just yet.

Thunderbolt is also gaining popularity, but don’t confuse it with mini DisplayPort as they share the same connector. We’ll talk more about USB-C in the next article.

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Video Specification Terms You Need To Know

Logically, the video specs contain a lot of detail. The picture seems to be worth a thousand speculators. For most of us, these are the most important characteristics to know.

Maximum total data transfer rate: Like the Internet data transfer rate, the maximum total data transfer rate determines how much information is transferred per second. Generally, the higher the bit rate, the better the image quality.

Color Format: Screen colors are produced by combining just a few primary colors. RGB pixels are best known because they use red, green, and blue in different combinations and brightness to represent different colors.

A more modern format is YCbCr, where Y is the luminance, Cb is the blue difference, and Cr is the red difference of a color or chrominance component. It’s just that Cb and Cr are mixed to give color, and Y controls the brightness of the color.

Resolution: A bit like dots per inch (DPI), but for video. Just as a high-resolution printer produces a sharper image, a higher-resolution monitor produces a sharper image. You will see the resolution in 2048 x 1080 format. The first part is the number of pixels wide and the second is the number of supported pixels in height.

Different resolutions

can also be named like 2K, 4K, 8K, and even 10K. The higher the number in front of the letter K, the clearer the image. K represents 1024 pixels. So 2K means 2 x 1024, 4K means 4 x 1024, and so on.

Refresh rate: video works like animation. It is a series of still images that are quickly displayed to create the illusion of movement. Refresh rate is the speed at which images are drawn. It is measured in hertz, which roughly means the number of times per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the motion in the video.

What is DVI?

This is a strange-looking connector with most of the pins in a group. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is more a group of display connectors than just one standard connector. DVI is the oldest of the three connectors, dating back to 1999. He switched us from analog connections via VGA or SVGA to digital, which greatly improved the display quality.

DVI-D Dual Link has a maximum data rate of 7.92 Gbps, only supports RGB color format, and has a maximum resolution of 3840 × 2400 at a refresh rate of 30 Hz. This is rare, but in some configurations, it can support sound as well.

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What is HDMI?

You’ve already seen HDMI as it is popular for regular TVs and computer monitors. High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a digital connector with many physical formats.

1- Type A is the format you’ve probably seen on TVs and monitors.

2- Type C is the mini HDMI that you may have seen on small devices like cameras.

3 – Type D is micro-HDM.

Which you’ve probably seen on some phones, GoPro cameras, and newer RaspberryPi computers. Type E is used in cars as it has a locking tab to prevent it from loosening due to vibration.

There are several versions of HDMI with different specifications. The newest version is 2.1, it has a maximum data rate of 43 Gbps, supports RGB and YCbCr color formats, supports 32 audio channels, and supports resolutions up to 7680 × 4320 at 120 Hz refresh rate.

What is DisplayPort?

DisplayPort (DP) is the newer connector and is a digital versatile connector. DP can transfer data other than videos, such as USB and audio. There are two DP form factors. The standard connector looks like a USB connector with a beveled corner. It also has a locking mechanism that prevents the connections from loosening. Mini DP is like a shorter USB printer connector, like a square with two corners cut off.

Like HDMI, there are different versions of the DisplayPort specification. DP is currently in version 2.0. It supports data rates up to 77Gbps, RGB, YCbCr, and monochrome color formats, and resolutions up to 15360×8640 at a 60Hz refresh rate.

Which is Best – DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort?

Like so much else, the best tool depends on the job for which it is needed. DVI is widely used in office monitors but is gradually disappearing. You probably won’t see this on your home computer, so it’s not a problem, but it’s still good to know.

HDMI is like a multifunctional tool with its own capabilities and has been around for longer than DisplayPort, so it is better represented in the market. Its mini and microformats make it ideal for small devices. Most home theater devices such as TVs, DVD players, and VCRs have HDMI ports. With up to 8K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, it’s also good for gaming.

DisplayPort has the highest performance of the three connectors and is becoming more popular in home video devices, but still doesn’t have a market as large as HDMI. DP does everything that HDMI does, but can handle higher resolutions and refresh rates. You can daisy chain some monitors with DisplayPort for dual monitors.

DisplayPort is ideal for widescreen videos such as digital signage and gaming but is not required for most home videos. In addition, DisplayPort signals are only suitable for a cable that is about 9 feet long, whereas an HDMI cable can be up to 90 feet long.

So Which Is Best?

Each type has been designed for a different purpose. You now have the knowledge to explore and decide for yourself. Well, you and your wallet. What do you like best and why? We are also ready to find out more.

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DVI vs HDMI vs DisplayPort

DVI vs HDMI vs DisplayPort