What Is the Difference Between HDMI and DVI?

What is the difference between HDMI and DVI?  DVI and HDMI are two protocols for graphics and television video transfer and viewing.  DVI is an acronym for Digital Video Interface, and HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface.  There are some significant differences between the two protocols.

Perhaps the single most significant difference between HDMI and DVI is that DVI is actually a prior technology, while HDMI is the currently accepted technology in use.

• DVI is a now unsupported technology that involves converting analog signals to digital signals.
• DVI was and is primarily used so that older monitors can continue to be used, while HDMI is digital only and is currently the only supported technology in the space.

Even when it was a popular option, DVI could only support video. HDMI, on the other hand, supports audio and video transmittal through the same cable, which allows for easier set-up and lower cost of operation for the companies producing the units as well as for the end user of the product.

What Did DVI Do?

• DVI involved converting existing analog input signals into digital signals and actually allowing the transmittal lines to carry both signals.
• The purpose of this was so that a digital signal could be transmitted along with an analog signal to provide content to older units that still accepted analog input. 
• DVI was designed by a company called DDWG, or Digital Display Working Group, and it came in two main types: single link technology and dual link technology.  Single link technology, which was widely used in homes and other areas, allowed for a low bandwidth signal to be transmitted, while dual link compatibility allowed for the potential of converting to larger bandwidth signals if the need would arise.

What Does HDMI Do?

So, now that you know what DVI did, we can look at what HDMI does and understand both how HDMI works and what the differences are between HDMI and DVI.

• HDMI is an uncompressed signal transferring technology that uses only digital signals and that has dispensed with carrying analog signals entirely. 
• HDMI is, as of January 2011, the only technology for digital data and auto transmittal that is supported by the television and audio industry since DVI has gone the way of the dinosaur.  
• HDMI also includes content security protection called High Definition Content Protection technology; this feature allows for the signal and the information that is being transmitted to be protected. 
• HDMI is also capable of supporting multiple channels of digital audio along with the video signal that is being transmitted. 

So, now you know what the difference between HDMI and DVI is. You can still use some aspects of DVI equipment with HDMI, but if you do, you will lose the digital audio functionality of the equipment and you will need separate cables in order for this to work.  For the most part, though, HDMI technology is readily available and priced for the market conditions.