Are the HDMI specifications backward compatible with Digital Video Interface (DVI)?

Are the HDMI specifications backward compatible with Digital Video Interface (DVI)?

Digital Video Interface, or DVI, is actually a predecessor of HDMI. Digital Video Interface was created by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). The original design for DVI included the conversion of analog signals by converting the analog signal into a digital signal. This was created so that both analog and digital signal monitors could be accommodated by DVI. Data is sent by the use of transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) protocol, and this provides a digital signal from a PC's graphics subsystem to the display unit.

There are actually three different types of DVI. There is DVI-A, and this type of DVI is utilized for analog signals like VGA. The second type of DVI is the DVI-D. This type of DVI is utilized for digital signals, and this type of digital signal is the one that all of the home theater products use, and are intended for the consumer's home use. DVI-I is the third variety of DIV. This type of DVI is a combination of DVI types DVI-A and DVI-D.

There are two levels of performance supported by DVI-I. These levels are the single link performance and the dual link performance. At this time, all home electronics products are based on the single link standard. A dual link cable, however, has 100 % compatibility with a single link cable, plus the dual link cable offers the added benefit of adaptability for future use in any wide band width applications. DVD-I is a complete, fully digital video transport protocol that is supportive of all digital video formats including 480p, 480i, 540p, 720p,1080p, and 1080i.

High Definition Multimedia Interface is the only uncompressed, all digital audio/video interface that is supported by the industry. Founders of HDMI include manufacturers of leading consumer electronics Panasonic, Phillips, Hitachi, RCA, Sony, Toshiba, and Silicone Image. HDMI is also supported by motion picture producers Universal, Fox, Disney, and Warner Brothers, as well as system operators EchoStar and DirecTV. High Definition Multimedia Interface provides an interface in between any video/audio source, like an A/V receiver, digital television, and DVD player over one cable, instead of one cable for video and an additional cable for audio. HDMI can support high definition video, standard video, and / or enhanced video, plus HDMi supports multiple channels of digital audio on one single cable. HDMI will also transmit every ATSC HDTV standard and can support eight channel digital audio. HDMI has plenty of band width so any future requirements and enhancements can be accommodated.

HDMI and DVI actually are more alike than they are different. Both of these support the transmission of digital signals. Both DVI and HDMI are based on specifications that are similar, because HDMI specification was derived from the specifications for DVI.

There are two important differences between DVI and HDMI. The first difference is that HDMI technology incorporates content security that is called High Definition Content Protection, also known as HDCP. The other huge difference between Digital Video Interface and High Definition Multimedia Interface is that DVI can only support digital video, and HDMI can support audio and video on the same cable.

This leads to another big difference between HDMI and DVI. The number of cables that need to be used and run during installation. With Digital Video Interface at least two cables are needed. One cable is needed to support the video signal, and one cable or cord is needed to support the audio signal, because DVI can only support video, not audio. With HDMI only one cable is needed for the installation. This is because the HDMI can support all formats of digital video plus it can support multiple channels of audio signal as well.

The good news is that despite their differences, a backward compatibility for video exists between HDMI and DVI. Because HDMI evolved from DVI, they are both identical when it comes to video. But remember, DVI can not support digital audio. A good example is an older DVI connection on the source, and an HDMI connector to the display. For this, all you need for the video is an HDMI to DVI cable