Why Hasn't the DVI Interface Replaced D-Sub?

nic1m asks: "When DVI connectors started appearing on video cards I thought they were a smart replacement for the old D-Sub analog connector because DVI can support both digital and analog displays. With LCDs rapidly gaining market share I would have expected DVI to replace D-Sub by now. Almost the opposite seems to be happening, however. Many video cards still lack DVI, most LCDs still have only an analog input, and motherboard-based graphics never have DVI. Why has DVI been a relative failure in the market?"

Comments

Simple

[caperry]

6 foot cable length at resolutions over 1024x768. Not so much a problem on monitors, but the projector on my ceiling need a $700 DVI-fiber-DVI cable to go lengths over 6ft while still remaining in spec.

Most good Flat Panel displays (Hitachi, Sony, etc 17" and up) do support DVI - but DVI on Analog CRTs doesn't make much sense.

Re:Simple

[jjshoe]

We use 16' dvi cables in operating rooms without any issues.

Re:Simple

[terpia]

but the projector on my ceiling need a $700 DVI-fiber-DVI cable to go lengths over 6ft while still remaining in spec.

Wrong. You've been misled. DVI at half bandwidth can travel 30 feet on a good cable. (half bandwidth currently is how computer data and HDTV are transmitted via DVI) DVI at full bandwidth travels 15 feet. And a limit of 1024x768? Not true at all. I'm running two 30' DVI cables. One to a projector sending 720p (1280x720) and one to an LCD display @ 1280x1024.

DVIgear.com's salesmen are good aren't they? ;)

Re:Simple

[Theosis]

but DVI on Analog CRTs doesn't make much sense.

I think it does. The DVI spec allows for analog signals. Check the pinouts for DVI connector. Apple only has DVI/ADC , and they include a VGA adapter for the ADC. I also own a DVI to VGA adapter and it works just fine.

DVI should replace VGA.

(ADC is an Apple only connector that is basically DVI with USB and power pins included).

Re:Simple

[madcow_ucsb]

Yeah my friend's running 1600x1200 over 18' so he can have his computer in the closet and his 20" LCD mounted on the wall above his desk.

Picture looks great (and a pretty cool setup too as long as you don't need to change CDs...)

HDMI

[Who Man]

Maybe they're skipping DVI, since it already has a replacment.

http://www.hdmi.com

Re:HDMI

[Ianoo]

From the HDMI FAQ:

Yes, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI using the CEA-861 profile for DTVs. HDMI DTVs will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources.

It seems HDMI is more of a redefinition of the existing DVI standard to support consumer devices like televisions.

PC Connector Soup

[bellings]

I don't think anyone knows why motherboards come with the connectors they come with.

Why can't I buy a motherboards without a serial port, a parallel port, two ps/2 ports, and a line-in audio port? Why do motherboards come with built in video, but not bluetooth and wireless networking?

Why isn't there a standard for external power supplies, instead of having a blasting-hot power supply inside the temperature sensitive case, while a half-dozen wall-warts hang off my power supply driving all my peripherals?

In short, why are PC compatibles such heaps of shit?

Re:PC Connector Soup

[Komarosu]

Why can't I buy a motherboards without a serial port, a parallel port, two ps/2 ports, and a line-in audio port?

You can, its called a ABIT legacy-free motherboard :)

Re:Dell has not been totally NON-DVI

[Joseph Vigneau]

I recently bought a pair of Dell 1800FP panels (one for work, one for home), because I needed the space, and my eyes needed the rest. I chose the 1800FP because it was relatively inexpensive, fairly large, and has DVI connector. I have a GeForce3 I bought two years ago that has DVI output. My picture is crystal clear; I have no complaints.

Manufacturers are catering to the lowest common denominator- the "good enough" theory in action. This is also why the market is being flooded with cheap 42" plasma displays, that only have 864x480 (ie, non-HDTV) resolution, often without DVI. Most people just want the sexy thin screen, but don't care or don't realize how low the resolution is, and what they're missing out on.

DVI isn't necessarily in the domain of high-end, but you have to look a little harder to get it.

Re:Technical failure == market failure.

[Mr. Darl McBride]

I was under the impression that specs for the digital part of DVI interface didn't let it show eg 1600x1200 resolution in any sensible refresh rate. I distantly recall reading some years ago about plans of some sort of HR-DVI that would address this isue, but never heard about it again.

I don't know if the spec has been formalized for it, but most nvidia and ATI cards can support something like 100Hz 1920x1200 now.

This was really more of a problem a year or two ago, as anyone who's got a pricey Viewsonic vp201m 20 inch flat screen will attest to when they next go to upgrade their video card. So few cards are supported for its digital 1600x1200 mode that Viewsonic isn't even willing to provide a list, apparently for fear of a well-deserved press backlash. They'll only answer yes or no if you ask about a specific card.

Re:Where are the KVMs?

[stangbat]

Newegg has a couple. Unfortunately they don't switch the sound like my current Belkin model does.

My new 20" LCD monitor should be here today and it will have a DVI input. I'm debating the purchase of a DVI KVM because I run dual monitors and switch both of them with two KVMs. I'm going to try out the new beast without DVI and see how it looks before I drop the cash for a new KVM.

Also...

[sbszine]

Great post. Add FireWire and widescreen displays to that list.