HDMI or DVI

zigthedog · 30-03-2007, 18:26

I posted a thread on the "Cable" section of this forum but thought I'd pose a question on a different section and prehaps attract fresh blood. My previous question was suggesting HDTV is too complicated and this has led to long discussions in to what is and what isn't "HD Ready" and it is quite obvious there are differences of opinion on this which will never be resolved on a Forum but I do ask the following question: HDMI connections are generally considered to be the easier connection but the DVI seems to have better connectivity with the future in mind. By that Philips state in their technical data the DVI makes their televisions as future proof as they can be also stating DVI-I provides the best picture and flexible connectivity. Many TVs support only DVI and some will support HDMI & DVI, others though will only have an HDMI port. As HDTV moves on will an HDMI port have the same flexiblity as a DVI-I? This is assuming of all other techical data such as HDCP is equal.

Chris Simon · 30-03-2007, 19:05

I thought HDMI and DVI (DVI-D, DVI-I) were exactly the same, you can convert between them with a simple adaptor. The difference is that HDMI contains the audio as well. They are both digital signals. It doesn't really matter if your HD satellite box, for example, has HDMI and your TV has DVI-I.

The incompatibility might occur with DVI-A which is analogue only (comparable with VGA), but that is so 20th Century!

Philips are saying that DVI-I has better connectivity simply because it caters for older analogue signals. They're wrong when they say DVI provides the best picture (assuming they mean as compared with HDMI), that's marketing speak I think. As to whether new devices support HDMI or DVI-D it doesn't matter because they're the same.

Why should HDMI (as time moves on and HDTV becomes more common, as you state) cater for analogue signals as well? There will still be composite/component/SCART/VGA connections for the foreseeable future, which caters for the legacy equipment.

DVI-I has better connectivity with the past in mind, not the future!

zigthedog · 30-03-2007, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Simon

DVI-I has better connectivity with the past in mind, not the future!

Thank you for your answer, I had been sinking in Jargon but you've answered a lot in a way that can be understood.

30-03-2007, 18:26	#1
zigthedog Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 336	HDMI or DVI I posted a thread on the "Cable" section of this forum but thought I'd pose a question on a different section and prehaps attract fresh blood. My previous question was suggesting HDTV is too complicated and this has led to long discussions in to what is and what isn't "HD Ready" and it is quite obvious there are differences of opinion on this which will never be resolved on a Forum but I do ask the following question: HDMI connections are generally considered to be the easier connection but the DVI seems to have better connectivity with the future in mind. By that Philips state in their technical data the DVI makes their televisions as future proof as they can be also stating DVI-I provides the best picture and flexible connectivity. Many TVs support only DVI and some will support HDMI & DVI, others though will only have an HDMI port. As HDTV moves on will an HDMI port have the same flexiblity as a DVI-I? This is assuming of all other techical data such as HDCP is equal.

30-03-2007, 19:05	#2
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	I thought HDMI and DVI (DVI-D, DVI-I) were exactly the same, you can convert between them with a simple adaptor. The difference is that HDMI contains the audio as well. They are both digital signals. It doesn't really matter if your HD satellite box, for example, has HDMI and your TV has DVI-I. The incompatibility might occur with DVI-A which is analogue only (comparable with VGA), but that is so 20th Century! Philips are saying that DVI-I has better connectivity simply because it caters for older analogue signals. They're wrong when they say DVI provides the best picture (assuming they mean as compared with HDMI), that's marketing speak I think. As to whether new devices support HDMI or DVI-D it doesn't matter because they're the same. Why should HDMI (as time moves on and HDTV becomes more common, as you state) cater for analogue signals as well? There will still be composite/component/SCART/VGA connections for the foreseeable future, which caters for the legacy equipment. DVI-I has better connectivity with the past in mind, not the future!

30-03-2007, 23:56	#3
zigthedog Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 336	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Simon DVI-I has better connectivity with the past in mind, not the future! Thank you for your answer, I had been sinking in Jargon but you've answered a lot in a way that can be understood.

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HDMI or DVI