DVI and HDMI Digital Connectivity

Welcome to the first edition of The Digital Connector!

As many of you know, our company is a digital connectivity manufacturer - focusing primarily on DVI cables, adapters and converters. But, our beginnings were not in manufacturing. Back in 1999, we were actually the first company to build an on-line database of educational materials on digital video transmission over long distances and this was well before DVI was known as DVI - it was PanelLink. After assisting companies like InFocus, Silicon Image and Sony on digital connectivity, we were in business as an OEM cable and adapter manufacturer supplying DVI, PanelLink, DFP and P&D assemblies to manufacturers of digital display gear (i.e. projectors and flat-panel displays).

Today, we retain our educational focus through our award-winning on-line DVI tutorials, the availability of information on new standards such as HDMI and HDCP and now this - the first edition of our newsletter.

Of course, we are in business to sell digital connectivity tools, however, in each issue of The Digital Connector we will feature the latest of our educational tutorials - to help you stay ahead of the HDTV technology curve. Most of our clients are early adopters - having already purchased an HD monitor or projector - but have stopped short of connecting everything in the home digitally because of distance limitations, availability of programming and even cost. Through The Digital Connector, we hope to keep you educated on the technology so when the time is right, you'll know more about HD and Digital displays than the TV salesperson and are even educating them!

In addition, we will also use The Digital Connector as a forum to update you on exciting product advancements and soon-to-be-released technologies. But, it's written by many of the people you have spoken with here at DVI Gear to get support, and we want your input. If you run across something you want to know about, just call me. Or, if there's a confusing technology out there that's HD-related, tell me. All my contact information is below and I answer each and every e-mail and even return every voice mail.

Thanks for reading!

Regards,

Chris Bingham Managing Director DVI Gear	chris@dvigear.com 888-463-9927 919-969-6681
http://www.dvigear.com

Feature Article: HDMI - Smaller Connector, Bigger Options

Everyone knows that digital connectivity blows away the old analog way. Even if you've got your HD source (i.e. DVD Player, DirecTV receiver, etc) connected via HD component video and think that you're looking at incredible image quality - wait until you go digital. You will SEE THE DIFFERENCE!

And we're getting closer and closer to the day where those three digital letters D-V-I become household words, right?

Well, not so fast.

One of the hottest new digital connectivity topics is the appearance of the new HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connector on some of the latest plasmas, projectors and DVD players. HDMI development is overseen by the HDMI Working Group that includes Sony, Hitachi, Silicon Image, Philips, and Toshiba as members. Surprisingly, however, Pioneer is the manufacturer that has become the catalyst for the availability of products in the HDMI arena. They've released numerous plasmas and one of the only sources available, the DV59-AVi HDMI capable DVD player.

So what is HDMI?

First, the connector for the HDMI standard is much smaller than its sister connector - DVI. The connector more closely resembles a USB-type connector than a computer video (VGA, DVI, etc.) type connector. Second, the HDMI spec also incorporates HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) which restricts piracy of digital content but can limit connectivity to devices that are not HDCP-compliant. And third, it also contains digital audio!

Though its connector size is smaller, HDMI has eventual capabilities beyond the scope of DVI. The most important of these capabilities is the ability to carry digital multi-channel audio in addition to digital video. The HDMI specifications also allow for up to 5 Gbps bandwidth, which leaves it open to future technology expansions, as current uncompressed HD movies only require 2.2 Gbps for both multi-channel audio and video. Currently most HDMI applications only take advantage of the video capabilities, but soon enough, you'll see products from many HDMI adopters that use its high-bandwidth video AND audio capabilities.

Although HDMI contains virtually the same DVI signal that's been around since 1999 and still has the same signal routing and distribution distance limitations that beset all digital connectivity standards, the HDMI specification allows for signals to be driven up to 15 meters or approximately 50 feet. (Of course, DVI Gear manufactures a host of high-quality DVI cables from 24-gauge copper to inexpensive fiber optic cables that allow for distances over 100 meters!) So, if everything so far concerning HDMI is theoretically "better" than DVI, why would manufacturers continue to forecast DVI based products?

There is one major reason - analog. DVI-I connections allow for both analog and digital video transmission across the connector or cable. A PC manufacturer can eliminate the VGA connector on the back panel and add a DVI-I connector - thus allowing both new flat-panel LCD monitors and old CRT-style monitors to be used on the same computer. And all they have to do is recommend you buy an adapter (like Apple Computer recommends) that goes from DVI-I to VGA, and PC makers can satisfy those who live in the analog world and those who are embracing the digital technology that is available. With HDMI, it is all digital. In the future, everything will be digital-only (PCs and consumer video products), but for now it appears that DVI-I will be common on PCs and laptops with HDMI revolutionizing the consumer video market.

And it is important for anyone investing in digital electronic devices to note that DVI and HDMI are adaptable standards. Cables and adapters are available for relatively inexpensive prices that will allow for connection of devices of these different standards. A DVI source will work fine with an HDMI display and an HDMI source will work fine with a DVI display. If you invest in one technology or both, you will have limited headaches in future compatibility issues regardless of which type of connector appears on your device.

Finally, beyond video, the HDMI standard uses PCM digital audio specifications which will allow it to work with other PCM audio specifications such as Toslink (optical) and digital coaxial, which are common on consumer audio receivers, satellite systems and, of course, cable TV boxes. HDMI will allow for connection from source to receiver and receiver to display, all via the use of one type of cabling - HDMI, carrying both video and audio when necessary.

However, always keep in mind the limitations of connecting two devices of different standards. For example, with a DVI DVD player connected to an HDMI device, you will not have audio capabilities. Likewise, if using a Toslink output on a DVD player connected to an HDMI device, you will not have video capabilities. Additional devices in the future may allow for greater flexibility and expandability in this arena, but the current selection is very limiting.

As you might imagine, new products are on the horizon from all sorts of manufacturers. In fact, TiVo will have a receiver shortly that will use an HDMI connector, and even Sony is rumored to be changing its DirecTV receiver from DVI to HDMI in the upcoming HD-400 model. Cable lengths and availability will widen and DVI Gear will always be on the leading edge of all the digital connectivity standards.

New DVIGear products:

DVI Wall Plates - http://www2.dvigear.com/dviwallplates.html

DVI Gear is the world's only manufacturer of DVI Wall Plates. Using a decora style insert plate and a creative connector rotation technology, the DVI Gear Wall Plate is the perfect solution to clean up any hidden cable installation. These plates can be customized to include all sorts of other types of connectors including USB, audio, VGA, component video, and more. DVI Gear stocks numerous variations of the DVI wall plate and can build a custom plate to meet almost any need.

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M1 adapters -

These HDCP compliant adapters are designed to allow connectivity to M1 displays. Connect any length DVI-D (or VGA) cable to this adapter to connect any DVI source with projectors from Infocus, Proxima/ASK, HP, Dell, Philips, and Gateway. Built with USB capabilities as well, you can be sure that your solution is future-proof.

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Right Angle Adapter Cable - http://www2.dvigear.com/1ftadca.html

Do you need a DVI cable for a tight space? We've built a cable for that very reason. This adapter cable can be attached to the end of any DVI-D cable to allow for a connection to be made in a depth of about an inch and a half.

Want to become a DVI Gear Dealer or Distributor?

Contact Hannah Kelly at support@dvigear.com for more information�

We are looking for resellers and distributors of our products domestically as well as internationally. We offer quality products with competitive prices. In addition, we will gladly assist with design of digital connectivity applications when needed. Let us know how we can be an asset to your company.

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AVIA Pro - http://www2.dvigear.com/aviapro.html

AVIA Professional (AVIA Pro) is a multi-disc calibration, set-up and test suite from Ovation Multimedia. The suite consists of seven DVDs plus a user manual designed to be an all-inclusive product for the calibration of video and audio systems. AVIA Pro is the most technologically advanced product for use in the professional and home theater environments.

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DVI Graphics Card - http://www2.dvigear.com/vtbo32mbdvig.html

Only a few notebook laptops support DVI and even if they do, chances are that they cannot support it at its highest resolutions. This graphics card offers the highest possible resolutions of DVI and ADC, up to 1920x1200 in 32 bit colors. ADC compatibility (through a DVI-to-ADC adapter not included) means that you can connect the gorgeous Apple ADC TFT Displays to your notebook.

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HDMI Accessories - http://www2.dvigear.com/hdmicables.html

We have the largest stock of HDMI cables in the world. We are highly focused on making longer cables and making connectivity easier. You can use our cables to connect a DVI source to an HDMI display or an HDMI source to a DVI display. If you have a need, let us know�we are looking for new products to create in an effort to fit your needs.

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Thanks for reading!