DVI-I vs DVI-D

[Mandryn]

Can somebody please tell me what the difference between DVI-D, and DVI-I, are, and what the advantages or disadvantages would be vs. using one or the other

 

[chris987]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

The DVI connector on a device is given one of three names, depending on which signals it implements:

DVI-I (integrated, combines digital and analog in the same connector; digital may be single or dual link)
DVI-D (digital only, single link or dual link)
DVI-A (analog only)

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

http://www.lindy-usa.com/tips/DVIGuide.html
DVI Guide - Connectors and Cables Explained

 

[dotaloc]

Chris987 had a good link (probably, SR-1 Blackbird, too)...but I'll summarize the best I can.

DVI-D only transports digital signal over the DVI cable -- DVI-I transports digital AND analog.

In my experience, DVI-I is mostly helpful if you are trying to connect to a VGA-only printer using a DVI-I>VGA adapter.

Assuming the DVI-I supports dual link (supports higher resolution/refresh than single link), there is probably no disadvantage compared to DVI-D...where as DVI-D would only have the disadvantage of not allowing analog signal.

Hope this helps!

 

[photonboy]

Yep.
In case it's not clear, when you have a DVI-I connection there are BOTH sets of pins, one for Digital and one for Analog and you only connect to the proper set depending on which connector you use.

With the analog (for VGA) that's simply achieved by using a DAC (Digital-to-Analog) circuit which connects to the digital lines so it's an added expense thus it's starting to quickly get dropped now that most people don't use VGA even as a second input.

Printer?
I believe that's a rather specialized usage of the VGA output. For most people they would use VGA only for monitors, and then only if they couldn't via DP, DVI, or HDMI.

My dad has two computers and has a VGA and DVI input on his older monitor so he has the older computer hooked up to VGA and can switch between computers by pressing a button on the monitor.