As we change from analog to digital for everything in consumer electronics, it is inevitable that connections between our devices also become digital. For audio, this is already fully underway. For video, DVI (Digital Video Interface) represents this inevitable change.

The most important lesson I've learned in 6 months of owning a Samsung DLP TV and few weeks of Bravo D1 player is that analog Component connections are history and digital DVI connections are the only way forward. There is a night and day difference in Picture Quality when we switch from Component to DVI connections. As we move towards all things digital:

Digital PQ Nirvana = Digital Signal -> Digital DVI Connection -> Digital Display

Digital signals include SD (Standard Def.) programs, HD (High Def.) programs, DVD playback, or PC input. A digital display is any fixed pixel display (LCD, DLP, LCoS, Plasma), as well as HDTV CRT displays.

Let us also emphasize that DVI is video only. It does not carry any audio. HDMI will have both.

For more in-depth info on DVI, see DVI Overview and this DataPro page.

DVI, however, comes with a big restriction - called HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). It is Hollywood's attempt to use DVI to reclaim control of their content. All DVI connections in future will be protected connections. All devices that use DVI will be required to make sure that the copyrights of content that flow through DVI connections are protected. See the in-depth section on HDCP Overview. Some people are of the opinion that HDCP will be so onerous that we must never use DVI. That’s like cutting your nose to spite your face. DVI brings a revolution forward in picture quality - a very very good thing for us consumers. While adapting it, let us be vigilant that Hollywood doesn't get carried away with HDCP.

DVI is now evolving into HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), its second generation successor. HDMI includes audio, has a smaller connector plug, and a bigger distance range. Fortunately, HDMI will be backward compatible with DVI. See this in-depth section later in this document on HDMI – The Evolution of DVI.

DVI brings a Quantum Jump in Picture Quality

It was a surprise to us, and it is a surprise to most people when they first experience a DVD played back through a DVI connection. "Jaw dropping" is the phrase often used, and it describes our reaction. Except in our case we had no prior clue - so it contained shock and confusion as well. It seemed almost high definition. There are hundreds of reactions like mine in this forum, and now there are reviews in many publications attesting to the phenomenal quality difference. See DVI Quotes.

Why is that? DVI is not magically adding quality to your signal, it is Component that has been degrading the signal – we just didn’t how badly.

Component: When you use a component connection, your original digital signal is converted to analog, then it is sent over to the TV and becomes susceptible to noise, then it is converted back to digital by the TV. This dual conversion introduces conversion artifacts, plus the transmission can pick up noise.

DVI: In a DVI connection, the original digital signal is passed to the TV digitally in its original pristine condition.

In the past, when you had poor quality input signal and a poor fidelity TV, you could get by with component connections. Now you have high quality inputs (HD, PC or DVD) and high fidelity digital TVs (even CRT HDTV’s are digital in this context), so the component connection makes no sense. DVI is the only sensible option.

Indeed it is our opinion that HDTV without DVI is an oxymoron. Why go through all the trouble of creating an expensive digital setup, generating a high quality digital signal into a high fidelity digital display, if you are going to throw the analog Component monkey wrench into it.

And until you've switched to DVI, don't look for other culprits for video artifacts - clay faces, dithering, motion artifacts, etc. Find out first how many are actually introduced by your component connection.

Let's move on with DVI.

The State of DVI and HDMI

Most consumers are not knowledgeable about DVI. Until last year, we weren't aware of the impact it could have. This AVS forum represents the most knowledgeable A/V consumers. I'd venture to say that most of us have also been in the dark until recently.

It is much more surprising, however, that most manufacturers are also in the dark. In a recent research in replying to a question on this forum, we were shocked to find out how many $10,000+ recently introduced displays are without DVI support. Satellite and Cable providers, as well set-top receiver and PVR manufacturers also have a mixed scorecard. DVD player vendors have also been a deep state of slumber and are just beginning to wake up.

In fairness to all of us, HDCP and the changeover to HDMI do bring a certain amount of confusion and uncertainty to DVI.

DVI and HDMI - What We Need to Do

4Suggestion General 1: If you are making a new consumer electronics video item purchase, we strongly urge you to make sure it has DVI support. Devices with DVI inputs, such as televisions, should also have analog inputs so that you can decide at what pace you want to move to DVI.

4Suggestion General 2: All new equipment with DVI inputs must also have HDCP support.

4Suggestion General 3: For equipment with DVI outputs, we think it is OK for consumers to buy ones without HDCP support, although Hollywood wouldn't like it too much. Of course, you must continue to respect the copyrights of content owners.

4Suggestion General 4: If you have equipment with DVI input ports that don’t support HDCP, look for equipment that has a DVI output but doesn’t enforce HDCP – e.g. Bravo D1 DVD player. Buy them quickly before such devices become non-existent.

4Suggestion General 5: If you have an existing item with DVI/HDCP support, test this capability as soon as possible. If it doesn’t work as advertised, demand resolution.

4Suggestion General 6: If you have a current A/V setup that you are happy with, weigh the pros and cons of when you should switch to DVI for each of your equipment. Television is of course the first item to switch.

Televisions with DVI and HDMI Inputs

State of DVI in Televisions: Unfortunately, many TV vendors are not acknowledging the full importance of DVI. It is shocking how many new expensive TV's are being introduced without DVI input. Another problem is many with advertised DVI/HDCP inputs don't actually have it functioning properly. Many of us have recently found out the hard way that our TVs with DVI inputs didn't work with Bravo D1 player or Samsung HD 931 player.

Note on CRT TVs: Since even a CRT HDTV is first converting the signal to digital for processing, CRT sets also benefit from the switch to DVI - although it may not be to the same extent as fully digital televisions.

4Suggestion TV 1: Do not buy any new HDTV/monitor without DVI/HDCP or HDMI input.

4Suggestion TV 2: Ideally, televisions should have 3 DVI or HDMI inputs just like they generally have 3 component inputs today. No televisions with 3 inputs are currently available, and very few with 2 inputs. Meanwhile, use external DVI switches.

4Suggestion TV 3: When you are buying a new expensive TV, it is more than likely that a retail store is displaying the picture through a component connection – which doesn’t help you much. Our advice is take a DVI equipped DVD player with some good reference (Superbit?) DVD’s with you to test out the TV. That way you can also compare television PQ in multiple stores.

One to One Pixel Mapping: If you have a fixed pixel television, then you will gain significantly in picture quality if you can get one to one pixel mapping to the NATIVE resolution of your TV. Of course, this is only possible if the original signal is the same as the native resolution. For example, if you have a 1290x720 pixel TV, you should make sure that an ABC 720p broadcast ends up in your TV without any scaling and 1x1 pixel mapped. Same is true for PC inputs. If your signal is going to be scaled, you want to make sure that it is scaled ONLY in one place, the place that has the best scaler.

4Suggestion TV 4: When you connect your devices to fixed pixel televisions (LCD, DLP, LCoS, Plasma), it is very important that you try to get one to one pixel mapping for best PQ.

4Suggestion TV 5: we strongly recommend against buying a fixed pixel TV (non-CRT) that has a non-standard native resolution. It will make 1x1 pixel mapping very difficult. we know this is a tough one, because non-standard resolutions seem to have proliferated in front projectors, plasmas and some RPTV’s.

DVI or HDMI Compatibility Table for Televisions:

Notes: (This is work in progress.)

· This is not an exhaustive list, only those reported to work by forum members.

· Your help is needed here in checking its accuracy, completing the sets listed, and in listing more sets.

· Test successful column: The TV worked with one or both DVI equipped players and it produced a satisfactory picture in at least one resolution. There may be many caveats attached to this functioning.

· 1x1 pixel mapping column: At least 1 player output resolution could be matched one to one with the fixed pixel TV native resolution. Doesn't apply to CRT televisions.

Televisions with DVI or HDMI Support

Note this is not an exhaustive list. This list will soon be replaced with a more complete coverage on this site.

Manufacturer and Set	AVS Links Esp. on DVI support	TYPE	DVI Inputs	HDCP	Test Successful?	1x1 Pixel Mapping
Samsung TXN3098WHF	Thread, Post,	CRT	Yes		Yes - Br D1	N. A.
Sony 34XBR800		CRT	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 Yes - S 931	N. A.

Infocus LP350		FP – DLP1	Yes		??	No
NEC HT1000	Post	FP – DLP1	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 Yes - 931	No
Optoma H56		FP – DLP1	Yes		Yes - Br D1	No
Plus Piano HE-3100		FP – DLP1	Yes		No - Br D1	No
Sharp PG-M20		FP – DLP1	Yes		No - Br D1	No

DWIN Transvision TV3		FP – DLP2	Yes - 2		Yes - Br D1	Yes
Infocus 7200		FP – DLP2	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 No - S 931	Yes
Marantz VP12S2		FP – DLP2	Yes		Yes - Br D1	Yes
Seleco SIM2 HT 300 Plus PJ		FP – DLP2	Yes		Yes - Br D1	Yes
Toshiba Mt8		FP – DLP2	Yes	Yes	?? - Br D1 Yes - S 931	Yes

Hitachi CP-SX5500		FP - LCD	Yes	No	Yes - Br D1
Panasonic PT-L300U		FP - LCD	Yes		No - Br D1
Sanyo 20HD/PLV-70		FP - LCD	Yes	No	Yes - Br D1	No
Sony HS10		FP - LCD	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 Yes - S 931	Yes
Studio Experience 20HD		FP - LCD	Yes	No	Yes - Br D1	No
Yamaha LPX-500		FP - LCD	Yes		Yes - Br D1	Yes

Sony 30 inch LCD		LCD	Yes	Yes	?? - Br D1 Yes - S 931

Fujitsu P50XHA10US	DVI Issue,	Plasma	Yes		Yes - Br D1
Fujitsu PDS-5001		Plasma	Yes		No - Br D1
Pioneer 503CMX plasma (w/5002 input card).		Plasma	Yes		??
Pioneer 433CMX (w/A303 DVI Input card)	DVI Issues, Post,	Plasma	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 Yes – S 931
Pioneer 503CMX (w/A303 DVI Input card)		Plasma	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 Yes – S 931
Sony KE32TS2		Plasma	Yes		Yes - Br D1	No
Sony KE-50XBR900		Plasma	Yes	Yes	Yes - S 931

Hitachi 57TWX20B		RP - CRT	Yes	Yes	?? - Br D1 Yes - S 931	N. A.
JVC 56" i'Art WP30		RP - CRT	Yes		Yes - Br D1	N. A.
Pioneer Elite Pro730HD		RP - CRT	Yes	Yes	Yes - S 931	N. A.
RCA HD65W140, HD61W140, HD52W140		RP - CRT	Yes	Yes		N. A.
Sony KP46wt500		RP - CRT	Yes		Yes - Br D1	N. A.
Toshiba 57HDX82		RP - CRT	Yes		Yes - S 931	N. A.

Samsung HLN - all sizes	Thread, Guide	RP – DLP2	Yes	Yes	Yes - Br D1 Yes - S 931	Yes, 720p TV-Wide
Sony Grand Wega 60XBR800		RP - LCD	Yes		Yes - Br D1	No
Toshiba 57HLX82		RP - LCoS	Yes		Yes - Br D1 No - S 931	Yes

DVD Players with DVI or HDMI Outputs

When we bought our Samsung DLP TV, we thought that the main PQ pleasure will come from watching HDTV. The most unexpected and pleasant surprise of owning this TV has been discovering the hidden PQ gem inside the regular old DVD’s available today. By using a DVI equipped player with our TV, most of these DVD’s now appear near high definition to us. We are now discovering Superbit DVD’s, which are raising picture quality even further. We can honestly say that we are in no hurry for HD-DVD. We want to enjoy the plethora of DVD’s available today in near high definition. And the only extra investment needed was a ~$200 DVD player.

4Suggestion DVD 1: If you have already invested thousands of dollars in a TV with DVI input, don’t skimp on the DVD player. Hurry and buy a DVI equipped player. If you don’t like the current crop, you shouldn’t have to wait too long. Many new DVD players with DVI or HDMI output have been announced. An alternative is to use your HTPC as a DVD player.

4Suggestion DVD 2: If you are about to buy an expensive new DVD player anyway, we recommend against buying one without DVI output, even if your current TV doesn’t have DVI input.

4Suggestion DVD 3: If your television has DVI input but it doesn't support HDCP or you are not sure, hurry and buy Bravo D1 before they start enforcing HDCP. You should of course continue to respect the copyrights of DVD makers.

DVI or HDMI Equipped DVD Players

Note this may not be an exhaustive list. This list will soon be replaced with a more complete coverage on this site.

Manufacturer and Player	Links	Street Price	DVI Output	HDCP Enforced?
Bravo D1 by V Inc.	See below	$199	Yes	No
Samsung HD 931	Store, See below	$249	Yes	Yes
LG LST-3510A	Thread Thread	$499	Yes	Yes
Denon 5900 (DVI Update)	Thread	$2000	Yes	Yes
Momitsu DV-880	Thread	$220	Yes	No
Marantz DV-8400	Store	$1450	Yes
TEAC DV-30			Yes
Tag Mclaren DVD32R/DVD32FLR with the PSM192 module	Review		Yes

New and Upcoming Players in 2004

NEW DVD Players with DVI or HDMI – CES 2004

Bravo WM9 HD dvd player. Check this out.

Hot New Bravo D2 & D3 DVD Info!!!!

New Samsung DVD Players with DVD-A and SACD playback

New Phillips DVD players with HDMI connection

Big Big News : Panasonic New DVD player with Faroudja & HDMI !!!!!

New DVD Player with DVI output!! (Yamakawa)

Shootouts:

Bravo D1 vs. Samsung 931 shoot-out

Denon 5900 vs Bravo D1 via DVI! I have both.

Denon 5900 vs. Bravo D1 screenshots.

Bravo D1 out Denon DVD-5900 in!

Bravo D1

You can buy it from: www.vinc.us

Bravo D1 DVI Compatibilty List

Bravo D1 Review vs. Denon 3800 DVD

Bravo D1 Review on HomeTheaterHiFi.COM:

Bravo D1 Review on CNET

Bravo D1 vs. HTPC on CRT comparison

Samsung HD 931

You can buy it many retailers.

Samsung HD931 Review in USA Today: (6/25/03)

Samsung 931 and 4:3 DVDs

HD931 problem thread (note this really talks about DHCP compatibility issues)

Set Top Boxes – HDTV Satellite/Cable Receivers and PVRs

Unfortunately, many HDTV receivers today don’t support DVI. For DirecTV, there is a good choice of boxes that support DVI. For Dish network, the currently shipping Dish 6000U doesn’t support but the soon to be released boxes do -- Dish 811 receiver and 921 PVR. Most cable companies are at the very early stage of introducing boxes with DVI output. The surprise is that the Zenith 230 OTA HDTV PVR – just released – doesn’t support DVI.

Suggestion STB 1: DVI output should be an important factor in deciding your service provider. Fortunately, all of them are now changing to DVI.

Suggestion STB 2: If you have a choice of boxes, definitely get the one with DVI output. If your cable/satellite provider is just introducing DVI equipped boxes, become the first in line to get one.

Set Top Boxes and PVR’s for Satellite, Cable and OTA Reception

Note this is not an exhaustive list. This list will soon be replaced with a more complete coverage on this site.

Go to this STB Synopsis Thread for latest on Set top boxes. Other STB Threads: HDTV FAQ, STB Thread, Dish, DirecTV .

Manufacturer and Box	Status	For	DVI Output	HDCP Enforced?	AVS Threads
Motorola 5100		Cable	?		Thread
Pace ?? – coming soon		Cable	Option ?
Pioneer Voyager 3510HD	coming soon	Cable	Option ?	?	Thread
Scientific Atlanta 3100		Cable	No
Scientific Atlanta 3250HD	coming soon	Cable	Option ?

LG LSS-3200A	coming soon	DirecTV, OTA	Yes
SamsungSIR-TS160		DirecTV, OTA	Yes	Yes	Thread,
SonySAT-HD200		DirecTV, OTA	Yes	Yes	Thread, Thread, Thread
Sony SAT-HD300	coming soon	DirecTV, OTA			Thread
Toshiba DST 3100		DirecTV, OTA	Yes	Yes	Thread, Thread
Zenith HD-SAT520		DirecTV, OTA	Yes	Yes

Dish 6000U HDTV Receiver		Dish, OTA	No	-
Dish 811 HDTV Receiver	coming soon	Dish, OTA	Yes	Yes	Thread, Thread
Dish 921 HDTV PVR	coming soon	Dish, OTA	Yes	Yes
JVC TU-PVR9000 PVR	coming soon	Dish, OTA	Yes	Yes