Digital Visual Interface

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video display

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
interface developed by the Digital Display Working
Group (DDWG). The digital interface is used to
connect a video source, such as a video display
controller, to a display device, such as a computer
monitor. It was developed with the intention of
creating an industry standard for the transfer of
uncompressed digital video content.

DVI devices manufactured as DVI-I have support

for analog connections, and are compatible with the
analog VGA interface[1] by including VGA pins,
while DVI-D devices are digital-only. This
compatibility, along with other advantages, led to its
widespread acceptance over competing digital
display standards Plug and Display (P&D) and
Digital Flat Panel (DFP).[2] Although DVI is
predominantly associated with computers, it is
A male DVI-D (single link) connector
sometimes used in other consumer electronics such
as television sets and DVD players. Type Digital video connector
Production history
Designer Digital Display Working Group
History Designed April 1999

An earlier attempt to promulgate an updated Produced 1999–present

standard to the analog VGA connector was made by Superseded VGA connector
the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) Superseded by DisplayPort, HDMI
in 1994 and 1995, with the Enhanced Video
General specifications
Connector (EVC), which was intended to consolidate
Hot pluggable Yes
cables between the computer and monitor.[3][4] EVC
used a 35-pin Molex MicroCross connector and External Yes
carried analog video (input and output), analog Video signal Digital video stream:
stereo audio (input and output), and data (via USB Single link: 1920 × 1200
and FireWire). At the same time, with the increasing (WUXGA) @ 60 Hz or
availability of digital flat-panel displays, the priority 2560 × 1600 (WQXGA) @
shifted to digital video transmission, which would 30 Hz
remove the extra analog/digital conversion steps Dual link: 2560 × 1600
required for VGA and EVC;[5]: 5–6 the EVC (WQXGA) @ 60 Hz or
connector was reused by VESA,[6] which released 3840 × 2400 (WQUXGA) @
the Plug & Display (P&D) standard in 1997.[3] P&D 30 Hz
offered single-link TMDS digital video with, as an Analog video stream:
option, analog video output and data (USB and 1920 × 1200 (WUXGA) @
FireWire), using a 35-pin MicroCross connector 60 Hz
similar to EVC; the analog audio and video input Pins DVI-D Single Link: 19
lines from EVC were repurposed to carry digital DVI-D Dual Link: 25
video for P&D.[5]: 4 [7]: §1.3.3 DVI-I Single Link: 23
DVI-I Dual Link: 29
Because P&D was a physically large, expensive DVI-A: 11
connector, a consortium of companies developed the DVI-M1-DA: 35
DFP standard (1999), which was focused solely on
Data
digital video transmission using a 20-pin micro
Bitrate (Single link) 3.96 Gbit/s
ribbon connector and omitted the analog video and
(Dual link) 7.92 Gbit/s
data capabilities of P&D.[4]: 3 [5]: 4 DVI instead chose
to strip just the data functions from P&D, using a Max. devices 1
29-pin MicroCross connector to carry digital and Protocol 3 × transition minimized
analog video.[8] Critically, DVI allows dual-link differential signaling data and
TMDS signals,[9] meaning it supports higher clock
resolutions than the single-link P&D and DFP Pinout
connectors, which led to its successful adoption as
an industry standard. Compatibility of DVI with
P&D and DFP is accomplished typically through
passive adapters that provide appropriate physical
interfaces, as all three standards use the same
DDC/EDID handshaking protocols and TMDS A female DVI-I socket from the front
digital video signals.[10]: §1.3.7

DVI made its way into products starting in 1999.

One of the first DVI monitors was Apple's original
Cinema Display, which launched in 1999.
Color coded (click to read text)
Pin 1 TMDS data Digital red− (link
Technical overview 2− 1)

DVI's digital video transmission format is based on Pin 2 TMDS data Digital red+ (link
2+ 1)
panelLink, a serial format developed by Silicon
Image that utilizes a high-speed serial link called Pin 3 TMDS data
transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS). 2/4 shield
Pin 4 TMDS data Digital green−
4− (link 2)
TMDS
Pin 5 TMDS data Digital green+
Digital video pixel data is transported using multiple
4+ (link 2)
TMDS twisted pairs. At the electrical level, these
Pin 6 DDC clock
pairs are highly resistant to electrical noise and
other forms of analog distortion. Pin 7 DDC data
Pin 8 Analog
Single link vertical sync

A single link DVI connection has four TMDS pairs. Pin 9 TMDS data Digital green−
Three data pairs carry their designated 8-bit RGB 1− (link 1)

component (red, green, or blue) of the video signal Pin 10 TMDS data Digital green+
for a total of 24 bits per pixel. The fourth pair carries 1+ (link 1)
the TMDS clock. The binary data is encoded using
8b/10b encoding. DVI does not use packetization,
but rather transmits the pixel data as if it were a Pin 11 TMDS data
rasterized analog video signal. As such, the complete 1/3 shield
frame is drawn during each vertical refresh period. Pin 12 TMDS data Digital blue−
The full active area of each frame is always 3− (link 2)
transmitted without compression. Video modes
Pin 13 TMDS data Digital blue+
typically use horizontal and vertical refresh timings
3+ (link 2)
that are compatible with cathode-ray tube (CRT)
displays, though this is not a requirement. In single Pin 14 +5 V Power for
monitor when in
link mode, the maximum TMDS clock frequency is
standby
165 MHz, which supports a maximum resolution of
2.75 megapixels (including blanking interval) at Pin 15 Ground Return for pin
60 Hz refresh. For practical purposes, this allows a 14 and analog
maximum 16:10 screen resolution of 1920 × 1200 at sync
60 Hz. Pin 16 Hot plug
detect

Dual link Pin 17 TMDS data Digital blue−

0− (link 1) and
To support higher-resolution display devices, the
digital sync
DVI specification contains a provision for dual link.
Dual link DVI doubles the number of TMDS data Pin 18 TMDS data Digital blue+
pairs, effectively doubling the video bandwidth, 0+ (link 1) and
which allows higher resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 digital sync
at 60 Hz or higher refresh rates for lower Pin 19 TMDS data
resolutions. 0/5 shield
Pin 20 TMDS data Digital red− (link
Compatibility 5− 2)
Pin 21 TMDS data Digital red+ (link
For backward compatibility with displays using
5+ 2)
analog VGA signals, some of the contacts in the DVI
connector carry the analog VGA signals. Pin 22 TMDS clock
shield
To ensure a basic level of interoperability, DVI Pin 23 TMDS clock+ Digital clock+
compliant devices are required to support one (links 1 and 2)
baseline display mode, "low pixel format"
Pin 24 TMDS clock− Digital clock−
(640 × 480 at 60 Hz).
(links 1 and 2)
C1 Analog red
DDC C2 Analog green
Like modern analog VGA connectors, the DVI C3 Analog blue
connector includes pins for the display data channel
C4 Analog
(DDC), which allows the graphics adapter to read
horizontal
the monitor's extended display identification data
sync
(EDID). When a source and display using the DDC2
revision are connected, the source first queries the C5 Analog Return for R, G,
display's capabilities by reading the monitor EDID ground and B signals
block over an I²C link. The EDID block contains the
display's identification, color characteristics (such as gamma value), and table of supported video
modes. The table can designate a preferred mode or native resolution. Each mode is a set of timing
values that define the duration and frequency of the horizontal/vertical sync, the positioning of the
active display area, the horizontal resolution, vertical resolution, and refresh rate.

Cable length
The maximum length recommended for DVI cables is not included in the specification, since it is
dependent on the TMDS clock frequency. In general, cable lengths up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) will
work for display resolutions up to 1920 × 1200. Longer cables up to 15 metres (49 ft) in length can
be used with display resolutions 1280 × 1024 or lower. For greater distances, the use of a DVI
booster—a signal repeater which may use an external power supply—is recommended to help
mitigate signal degradation.

Connector
The DVI connector on a device is given one of three names,
depending on which signals it implements:

DVI-I (integrated, combines digital and analog in the same

connector; digital may be single or dual link)
DVI-D (digital only, single link or dual link)
DVI-A (analog only)
Most DVI connector types—the exception is DVI-A—have pins
that pass digital video signals. These come in two varieties: single
link and dual link. Single link DVI employs a single transmitter
with a TMDS clock up to 165 MHz that supports resolutions up to
1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz. Dual link DVI adds six pins, at the center
of the connector, for a second transmitter increasing the
bandwidth and supporting resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 at
60 Hz.[11] A connector with these additional pins is sometimes
referred to as DVI-DL (dual link). Dual link should not be
confused with dual display (also known as dual head), which is a
configuration consisting of a single computer connected to two
monitors, sometimes using a DMS-59 connector for two single
link DVI connections.

In addition to digital, some DVI connectors also have pins that

pass an analog signal, which can be used to connect an analog
monitor. The analog pins are the four that surround the flat blade Female DVI connector pins (view
of plug)
on a DVI-I or DVI-A connector. A VGA monitor, for example, can
be connected to a video source with DVI-I through the use of a
passive adapter. Since the analog pins are directly compatible
with VGA signaling, passive adapters are simple and cheap to produce, providing a cost-effective
solution to support VGA on DVI. The long flat pin on a DVI-I connector is wider than the same pin
on a DVI-D connector, so even if the four analog pins were manually removed, it still wouldn't be
possible to connect a male DVI-I to a female DVI-D. It is possible, however, to join a male DVI-D
connector with a female DVI-I connector.[12]
DVI is the only widespread video standard that includes analog and digital transmission in the
same connector.[13] Competing standards are exclusively digital: these include a system using low-
voltage differential signaling (LVDS), known by its proprietary names FPD-Link (flat-panel
display) and FLATLINK; and its successors, the LVDS Display Interface (LDI) and OpenLDI.

Some DVD players, HDTV sets, and video projectors have DVI connectors that transmit an
encrypted signal for copy protection using the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP)
protocol. Computers can be connected to HDTV sets over DVI, but the graphics card must support
HDCP to play content protected by digital rights management (DRM).

Specifications

Digital
Minimum TMDS clock frequency: 25.175 MHz
Used for the mandatory "low pixel format" display
mode: VGA (640x480) @ 60 Hz
Maximum single link TMDS clock frequency: 165 MHz
Single link maximum gross bit rate (including 8b/10b A passive DVI-to-VGA adapter. This
overhead): 4.95 Gbit/s adapter will not work with a DVI-D output.
It requires a DVI-I or DVI-A output to get
Net bit rate (subtracting 8b/10b overhead):
the analog signal to a VGA input (even if
3.96 Gbit/s
the adapter looks like a DVI-D). A more
Dual link bit rates are twice that of single link at an expensive active adapter (or converter) is
identical clock frequency. required to connect DVI-D to VGA.
Gross bit rate (Including 8b/10b overhead) at a
165 MHz clock: 9.90 Gbit/s.
Net bit rate (subtracting 8b/10b overhead): 7.92 Gbit/s
Clocks above 165 MHz are allowed in dual link mode[note 1]
Bits per pixel:
24 bits per pixel support is mandatory in all resolutions supported.
Less than 24 bits per pixel is optional.
Dual link optionally supports up to 48 bits per pixel.
If a depth greater than 24 bits per pixel is desired, the least significant bits are sent on
the second link.
Pixels per TMDS clock cycle:
1 (single link at 24 bits or less per pixel, and dual link for 25 to 48 bits per pixel) or
2 (dual link at 24 bits or less per pixel)
Example display modes (single link):
SXGA (1280 × 1024) @ 85 Hz with GTF blanking (159 MHz TMDS clock)
FHD (1920 × 1080) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (139 MHz TMDS clock)
UXGA (1600 × 1200) @ 60 Hz with GTF blanking (161 MHz TMDS clock)
WUXGA (1920 × 1200) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (154 MHz TMDS clock)
WQXGA (2560 × 1600) @ 30 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (132 MHz TMDS clock)
Example display modes (dual link):
 QXGA (2048 × 1536) @ 72 Hz with CVT blanking (2 pixels per 163 MHz TMDS clock)
FHD (1920 × 1080) @ 144 Hz[14]
WUXGA (1920 × 1200) @ 120 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (2 pixels per 154 MHz TMDS
clock)
WQXGA (2560 × 1600) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (2 pixels per 135 MHz TMDS clock)
WQUXGA (3840 × 2400) @ 30 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (2 pixels per 146 MHz TMDS
clock)
Generalized Timing Formula (GTF) is a VESA standard which can easily be calculated with the
Linux gtf utility. Coordinated Video Timings-Reduced Blanking (CVT-RB) is a VESA standard
which offers reduced horizontal and vertical blanking for non-CRT based displays.[15]

Digital data encoding

One of the purposes of DVI stream encoding is to provide a DC-balanced output that reduces
decoding errors. This goal is achieved by using 10-bit symbols for 8-bit or less characters and using
the extra bits for the DC balancing.

Like other ways of transmitting video, there are two different regions: the active region, where
pixel data is sent, and the control region, where synchronization signals are sent. The active region
is encoded using transition-minimized differential signaling, where the control region is encoded
with a fixed 8b/10b encoding. As the two schemes yield different 10-bit symbols, a receiver can
fully differentiate between active and control regions.

When DVI was designed, most computer monitors were still of the cathode-ray tube type that
require analog video synchronization signals. The timing of the digital synchronization signals
matches the equivalent analog ones, so the process of transforming DVI to and from an analog
signal does not require extra (high-speed) memory, expensive at the time.

HDCP is an extra layer that transforms the 10-bit symbols before transmitting. Only after correct
authorization can the receiver undo the HDCP encryption. Control regions are not encrypted in
order to let the receiver know when the active region starts.

Clock and data relationship

DVI provide one TMDS clock pair and 3 TMDS data pairs in single link mode or 6 TMDS data pairs
in dual link mode. TMDS data pairs operate at a gross bit rate that is 10 times the frequency of the
TMDS clock. In each TMDS clock period there is a 10-bit symbol per TMDS data pair representing
8-bits of pixel color. In single link mode each set of three 10-bit symbols represents one 24-bit
pixel, while in dual link mode each set of six 10-bit symbols either represents two 24-bit pixels or
one pixel of up to 48-bit color depth.

The specification document allows the data and the clock to not be aligned. However, as the ratio
between the TMDS clock and gross bit rate per TMDS pair is fixed at 1:10, the unknown alignment
is kept over time. The receiver must recover the bits on the stream using any of the techniques of
clock/data recovery to find the correct symbol boundary. The DVI specification allows the TMDS
clock to vary between 25 MHz and 165 MHz. This 1:6.6 ratio can make clock recovery difficult, as
phase-locked loops, if used, need to work over a large frequency range. One benefit of DVI over
other interfaces is that it is relatively straightforward to transform the signal from the digital
domain into the analog domain using a video DAC, as both clock and synchronization signals are
transmitted. Fixed frequency interfaces, like DisplayPort, need to reconstruct the clock from the
transmitted data.

Display power management

The DVI specification includes signaling for reducing power consumption. Similar to the analog
VESA display power management signaling (DPMS) standard, a connected device can turn a
monitor off when the connected device is powered down, or programmatically if the display
controller of the device supports it. Devices with this capability can also attain Energy Star
certification.

Analog
The analog section of the DVI specification document is brief and points to other specifications like
VESA VSIS[16] for electrical characteristics and GTFS for timing information. The motivation for
including analog is to keep compatibility with the previous VGA cables and connectors. VGA pins
for HSync, Vsync and three video channels are available in both DVI-I or DVI-A (but not DVI-D)
connectors and are electrically compatible, while pins for DDC (clock and data) and 5 V power and
ground are kept in all DVI connectors. Thus, a passive adapter can interface between DVI-I or DVI-
A (but not DVI-D) and VGA connectors.

DVI and HDMI compatibility

HDMI is a newer digital audio/video interface developed and promoted by the consumer
electronics industry. DVI and HDMI have the same electrical specifications for their TMDS and
VESA/DDC twisted pairs. However HDMI and DVI differ in several key ways.

HDMI lacks VGA compatibility and does not include analog signals.
DVI is limited to the RGB color model while HDMI also supports YCbCr 4:4:4 and YCbCr 4:2:2
color spaces, which are generally not used for computer graphics.
In addition to digital video, HDMI supports the transport of packets used for digital audio.
HDMI sources differentiate between legacy DVI displays and HDMI-capable displays by
reading the display's EDID block.
To promote interoperability between DVI-D and HDMI devices, HDMI source components and
displays support DVI-D signaling. For example, an HDMI display can be driven by a DVI-D source
because HDMI and DVI-D both define an overlapping minimum set of supported resolutions and
frame buffer formats.

Some DVI-D sources use non-standard extensions to output HDMI signals including audio (e.g.
ATI 3000-series and NVIDIA GTX 200-series).[17] Some multimedia displays use a DVI to HDMI
adapter to input the HDMI signal with audio. Exact capabilities vary by video card specifications.

In the reverse scenario, a DVI display that lacks optional support for HDCP might be unable to
display protected content even though it is otherwise compatible with the HDMI source. Features
specific to HDMI such as remote control, audio transport, xvYCC and deep color are not usable in
devices that support only DVI signals. HDCP compatibility between source and destination devices
is subject to manufacturer specifications for each device.
Proposed successors
IEEE 1394 was proposed by High-Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA Alliance (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20080928130647/http://www.hanaalliance.org/hana_solutions/use_c
ases)) for all cabling needs, including video, over coaxial or 1394 cable as a combined data
stream. However, this interface does not have enough throughput to handle uncompressed HD
video, so it is unsuitable for applications such as video games and interactive program guides.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a forward-compatible standard that also includes
digital audio transmission
Unified Display Interface (UDI) was proposed by Intel to replace both DVI and HDMI, but was
deprecated in favor of DisplayPort.
DisplayPort (a license-free standard proposed by VESA to succeed DVI that has optional DRM
mechanisms) / Mini DisplayPort
Thunderbolt: an interface that uses the USB-C connector (from Thunderbolt 3 and onward; the
Mini DisplayPort connector was used for Thunderbolt 1 and 2) but combines PCI Express
(PCIe) and DisplayPort (DP) into one serial signal, permitting the connection of PCIe devices in
addition to video displays. It provides DC power as well.
In December 2010, Intel, AMD, and several computer and display manufacturers announced they
would stop supporting DVI-I, VGA and LVDS-technologies from 2013/2015, and instead speed up
adoption of DisplayPort and HDMI.[18][19] They also stated: "Legacy interfaces such as VGA, DVI
and LVDS have not kept pace, and newer standards such as DisplayPort and HDMI clearly provide
the best connectivity options moving forward. In our opinion, DisplayPort 1.2 is the future
interface for PC monitors, along with HDMI 1.4a for TV connectivity".

See also
DMS-59 – a single DVI sized connector providing two single link DVI or VGA channels
List of video connectors
DiiVA
Lightning (connector)

Notes
1. and only used when total bandwidth requirement surpassing 330MHz TMDS clock. The
specification only specifies first link to operate at above single-link maximum in such
scenario.[10]: §2.2.2.

References
1. "Digital Visual Interface adoption accelerates as industry prepares for next wave of DVI-
compliant products" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070828233809/http://www.ddwg.org/article
s.asp?id=22). DDWG, copy preserved by Internet Archive. February 16, 2000. Archived from
the original on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
2. Eiden, Hermann (July 7, 1999). "TFT Guide Part 3 - Digital Interfaces" (https://www.tomshardw
are.com/reviews/tft-guide-part-3,117.html). TomsHardware.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
 3. "VESA Standards" (https://web.archive.org/web/19990117080256/http://www.vesa.org:80/stand
ards.html). Video Electronics Standards Association. Archived from the original (http://www.ves
a.org:80/standards.html) on January 17, 1999.
4. Manchester, Gary (1999). The VESA Digital Flat Panel (DFP) Standard: A White Paper (https://
web.archive.org/web/20160112151649/http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/informatik/RA/news/stack/ko
mpendium/vortraege_99/peripherie/standards/dfp/DFPwhitepap.PDF) (PDF) (Report). VESA
Marketing Committee. Archived from the original (http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/informatik/RA/new
s/stack/kompendium/vortraege_99/peripherie/standards/dfp/DFPwhitepap.PDF) (PDF) on
January 12, 2016.
5. Digital Visual Interface & TMDS Extensions (https://www.fpga4fun.com/files/WP_TMDS.pdf)
(PDF) (Report). Silicon Image. October 2004. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
6. Manchester, Gary (October 7, 1996). "Molex PnD intellectual property letter" (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20030222125034/http://www.vesa.org:80/public/Intellectual%20Property/MolexPnD.
PDF) (PDF). Archived from the original (http://www.vesa.org:80/public/Intellectual%20Property/
MolexPnD.PDF) (PDF) on February 22, 2003.
7. "VESA Plug and Display (P&D) Standard, Version 1" (https://web.archive.org/web/2003070404
1337/http://www.vesa.org/public/PnD/pnd.pdf) (PDF). Video Electronics Standards Association.
June 11, 1997. Archived from the original (http://www.vesa.org/public/PnD/pnd.pdf) (PDF) on
July 4, 2003.
8. "MicroCross DVI Connector System: Digital Visual Interface Standard" (https://www.molex.co
m/mx_upload/family/microcross_dvi/082mcdvi.pdf) (PDF). Molex. December 2000. Retrieved
31 January 2023.
9. "MicroCross DVI (Digital Visual Interface) Connector System" (https://www.mouser.com/datash
eet/2/276/2/molex_dvi%20technical1-1185865.pdf) (PDF). Molex. November 1999. Retrieved
31 January 2023.
10. "Digital Visual Interface Revision 1.0" (https://glenwing.github.io/docs/DVI-1.0.pdf) (PDF).
Digital Display Working Group. 2 April 1999. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
11. Walton, Jarred (March 2, 2007). "Dell 2407WFP and 3007WFP LCD Comparison" (http://www.
anandtech.com/show/2184/2). AnandTech. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
12. Docter, Quentin; Dulaney, Emmett; Skandier, Toby (2012). CompTIA A+ Complete Deluxe
Study Guide: Exams 220-801 and 220-802. Indianapolis, Indiana: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISBN 978-1118324066.
13. Kruegle, Herman (2006). "8" (https://books.google.com/books?id=DaQY8CrmqFcC&q=DVI+is+
the+only+widespread+video+standard+that+includes+analog+and+digital+transmission+option
s+in+the+same+connector.&pg=PA268). CCTV Surveillance: Analog and Digital Video
Practices And Technology. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 268. ISBN 0-7506-7768-6.
14. "The Best DVI Cable for 144hz | The Technology Land" (https://thetechnologyland.com/the-bes
t-dvi-cable-for-144hz/). thetechnologyland.com. 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
15. "Advanced Timing and CEA/EIA-861B Timings" (https://www.nvidia.com/object/advanced_timin
gs.html). NVIDIA. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
16. Video Signal Standard (VSIS) Version 1, Rev. 2, available for purchuase at
http://www.vesa.org/
17. "HDMI Specification 1.3a Appendix C" (https://www.hdmi.org) (PDF). HDMI Licensing, LLC.
2006-11-10. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
18. Intel Newsrom (http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2010/12/08/leading-
pc-companies-move-to-all-digital-display-technology-phasing-out-analog) – Leading PC
Companies Move to All Digital Display Technology, Phasing out Analog (8. December 2010)
19. "HDMI versions" (https://www.ruconnected.nl/hdmi-versies/). 2017-01-17. Wednesday, 1
February 2017
Further reading
Silicon Image; Molex (1999-04-02). "Digital Visual Interface" (https://web.archive.org/web/2012
0813201146/http://www.ddwg.org/lib/dvi_10.pdf) (PDF). Revision 1.0: Initial Specification
Release. Digital Display Working Group. Archived from the original on 2012-08-13.

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