Digital Visual Interface [DVI]


DVI Description

The DVI [Digital Visual Interface] is a standard for high-speed, high-resolution digital displays.
Below is a 24 Pin DVI Female connector seen at the Computer. The connector diagram and pin-out table show a DVI-I Digital and Analog [RGB]; 29 pins [modified D style] connector. A DVI-D Digital only connector with 24 pins [modified D style] looks about the same with out the 4 analog 'C' pins.

The DVI interface is found on a number of devices including TVs, Computers, Monitors, and Video cards.
Digital Visual Interface [DVI] was developed by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG).
Note that the Digital Display Working Group disbanded around 2006, so don't expect an up-grade for DVI.

Digital Video Broadcasting/Digital Audio-Visual Council (DVB/DAVIC),
developed by DAVIC [inactive] and DVB [dvb.org].
Adopted by European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) and
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

DVI has a number of different types connectors:
DVI-D Digital only connector; 24 pins [modified D style];
DVI-A Analog only; [modified D style], I don't think this is part of the standard
DVI-I Digital and Analog [RGB]; 29 pins [modified D style]
DFP Digital Flat Panel, Digital only connector. Pinout is listed on the DFP page

DVI Connector Drawing, DVI Connector Styles and Types
Styles of DVI Connectors

DVI Connector Manufacturers

Belkin DVI Connector, DVI Adapter, DVI Cable
Molex DVI Adapter, DVI Cable
TI offers the PanelBus chips solutions
Kycon Inc. DVI Connectors
Foxconn Type D, Type I DVI Connector

Cable-end DVI-D Connector
DVI-D Connector



Dual Link DVI-D Connector, Female Sockets, Equipment Side
DVI-D Connector

DVI Pinout Table

24 pin DVI Connector [Digital Visual Interface] DVI Connector pinout
29-Pin DVI Connector


29 pin DVI Connector PinOut and Signal names
Pin # Signal name Pin # Signal name Pin # Signal name
1 TMDS Data2- 9 TMDS Data1- 17 TMDS Data0-
2 TMDS Data2+ 10 TMDS Data1+ 18 TMDSData0+
3 TMDS Data2/4 Shield 11 TMDS Data1/3 Shield 19 TMDS Data0/5 Shield
4 TMDS Data4- 12 TMDS Data3- 20 TMDS Data5-
5 TMDS Data4+ 13 TMDS Data3+ 21 TMDS Data5+
6 DDC Clock [SCL] 14 +5 V Power 22 TMDS Clock Shield
7 DDC Data [SDA] 15 Ground (for +5 V) 23 TMDS Clock +
8 Analog vertical sync 16 Hot Plug Detect 24 TMDS Clock -
C1 Analog Red - - - -
C2 Analog Green - - - -
C3 Analog Blue - - - -
C4 Analog Horizontal Sync - - - -
C5 Analog GND Return: (analog R, G, B) - - - -

The pinout table above provides the pin out for a DVI-I connector, supporting both digital and analog signals. Single Link DVI uses 12 of the available pins providing a maximum bandwidth of 165MHz. Single Link connectors do not use pins 4, 5, 12, 13, 20 and 21. Dual link DVI is implemented when all 24 pins are used providing 2 x 165MHz bandwidth. The analog signal are implemented by the 'micro-cross' pins; C1 - C5.
The DDC interface pins use the I2C interface bus, as DDC Data for SDA, and DDC Clock as SCL.
TMDS; Transition Minimized Differential Signaling

The DVI-I connector may be used with a VGA connector by way of an adapter, while the DVI-D [Digital only] is not compatible.

An Apple computer may have either a DVI connector as described above or a Apple display connector [ADC] which is an Apple proprietary interface connector.
Of course you would need to check the latest offering to determine the current video output.
As of 2010 the desired video output would be DisplayPort and not DVI [for new gear], or HDMI.
But it would really depends on the monitors being driven by the system.

A related article covers Computer Interfaces.

DVI Term Search Trends between 2004 and 2010
DVI Search Term Usage between 2004 to 2010

DVI Google Search Trend.

The graph shows the number of people using the search term 'DVI".
The chart shows a steady decline in 'DVI' searches between 2004 and 2010.
The search trend for 'DVI Connector' has a steeper decline.
'DVI pinout' produced no results.
However the term 'DVI Adapter' shows a small increase in searches.
Indicating that more people are converting older VGAs to DVI connectors.

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Modified 6/26/15
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