DVI-D cable in DVI-I slot-possible? Quality loss?

[bigshotceo]

Here's my situation: My new LCD TV (westinghouse w4207) has a DVI-D slot. My video card, however, has a DVI-I slot. If I use a DVI-D cable, can I plug it into my DVI-I Slot in my video card? Would the signal be worse than if my video card had a DVI-D slot? If so, how much worse? Finally, since my TV and PC support the "dual link" cables, should I buy those instead of the "single link" cables?

[m85d1]

Here's my situation: My new LCD TV (westinghouse w4207) has a DVI-D slot. My video card, however, has a DVI-I slot. If I use a DVI-D cable, can I plug it into my DVI-I Slot in my video card? Would the signal be worse than if my video card had a DVI-D slot? If so, how much worse? Finally, since my TV and PC support the "dual link" cables, should I buy those instead of the "single link" cables?

I could be very wrong, but here it goes:

dvi-i support both analog and digital signal, while dvi-d supports only digital.

Your connection will be digital based since your input on your tv only supports digital, in which case should give you the better performance of the two.

Maybe I am wrong, but the dual link is referring to the connector, not the cable. With your setup, there is no point buying dual link since you won't be using analog.

The connector also includes provision for a second data link for high resolution displays, though many devices do not implement this. In those that do, the connector is sometimes referred to as DVI-DL (dual link).


Get dual link.
You can learn more here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVI)

[willy]

DVI-D cable can be used.

For US$3.67 (+ shipping), I would get a dual-link (even it is usually for very high resolution monitor) ... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209&cs_id=1020902&p_id=2408&seq=1&format=2

http://www.logicsupply.com/images/dvi_connector_types.gif

[Aske001]

Dual link is unnecessary for HDTV, as 1080p data rate fits just fine within the capacity of single link. It doesn't hurt to use a dual link cable, except that it's going to be thicker for no reason.

[mrfrostyman]

As the second poster mentioned you can use the dvi-d cable with your computer. DVI-I allows your computer to output both analog and digital data from that port. Thats why you can run a DVI-I to either a svga or hdmi female port.

There should be no quality loss to the image. Dual link is not needed since you will only be running 1080p through the image. If it was a 30 inch monitor then yes i would suggest a dual one.

Hopefully this helps.

[nogoro]

Don't know if I am hijacking this thread... but I also have a DVI-D monitor with DVI-I video card. I was already in a bad mood today, and when I got home, opened up my DVI cable packaging to see it was DVI-I and would not go into my monitor I had a hissy fit and ripped out the 4 analog pins and the centre wide pin. Interestingly the cable now fits and I am writing this post on the DVI monitor.

According to wikipedia, the wide pin is "analog ground". Any clue if it's a safety concern without it?

[Kasakato]

DVI-D cable can be used.

For US$3.67 (+ shipping), I would get a dual-link (even it is usually for very high resolution monitor) ... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209&cs_id=1020902&p_id=2408&seq=1&format=2

http://www.logicsupply.com/images/dvi_connector_types.gif

Too bad the price went up. Its now $11 shipped to my house. I think Ill pick up one locally at $11 + tax, o well.

Also, is there a difference between VGA and DVI-D? My monitor and graphics card now support DVI but the cable costs $15 (Im cheap).

[CompWizrd]

According to wikipedia, the wide pin is "analog ground". Any clue if it's a safety concern without it?No idea on that, I bought a bunch of 10 foot DVI cables for our Dell monitors, only to find the same problem, Dell uses a different cable for at least their 190x's, so I have to do the needle nose pliars trick as well.

[willy]

Also, is there a difference between VGA and DVI-D? My monitor and graphics card now support DVI but the cable costs $15 (Im cheap).
If cost is a concern, both VGA and DVI will work just fine. DVI should provide a sharper image on LCD monitors that are 19" or higher. But quality is kinda a subjective thing.