# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Display Cables

DVI vs. HDMI 2.1

Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.

Comparing:
DVI
HDMI 2.1

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) comes in five variants -- DVI-D (digital only, 19 or 25 pins), DVI-I (digital + analog, 23 or 29 pins), and DVI-A (analog only, 11 pins) -- with single-link supporting up to 1920x1200 @ 60Hz and dual-link up to 2560x1600 @ 60Hz.

View full DVI spec sheet →

HDMI 2.1 increases total bandwidth to 48 Gbps via Fixed Rate Link (FRL). It mandates Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable certification and supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and eARC.

View full HDMI 2.1 spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

14 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
DVI-D Single-Link
19 pins —
DVI-D Dual-Link
25 pins —
DVI-I Single-Link
23 pins —
DVI-I Dual-Link
29 pins —
DVI-A
11 pins —
Single-Link Max Resolution
1920x1200 @ 60Hz —
Dual-Link Max Resolution
2560x1600 @ 60Hz —
Max Resolution @ Refresh Rate
— 8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz (10K with DSC)
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
— 48 Gbps (FRL 4 lanes)
Pin Count
— 19 Pins (Type A)
Display Stream Compression (DSC)
— DSC 1.2a Supported
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
— HDMI Forum VRR & Quick Media Switching (QMS)
Max Audio Channels
— 32 Channels (eARC up to 192kHz / 24-bit uncompressed)
Max Recommended Cable Length
— 3 Meters (Passive Ultra High Speed) / 100m+ (Active Optical AOC)