[grot]

So, my HDTV (a toshiba 46H83) arrives wednesday, and I'm trying to make sure I get the right connection. My plan was to use DVI out of my 4200 Ti.


Now, the toshiba takes single link DVI-D. I have no idea what the 4200 really puts out. Can I just buy a "DVI-D" cable, like the monster DVI 400 (ouch). Or is "single link" something I need to get some sort of conversion for. I know what it is from a SIGNAL perspective, but not from a connector perspective.

 

[DirectorBoy]

Single or dual is essentially a function of the cable's capacity, not of the connector type. They're interchangeable, and you only need dual if you need to move a very high-resolution image. Nothing "puts out" single or dual, it simply puts out a resolution, and if the resolution is higher than [email protected], then you need to upgrade to a dual-link cable to see the full resolution. For most of us, that's obviously not necessary.


The bigger issue in your case might be the idea of paying Monster prices for a digital cable. I buy most of my cables (including all DVI cables) from Cable Wholesale , and they work flawlessly. Pacific Cable is also highly-regarded. If you only need a 2-meter run, even better deals can be had on Ebay. All these options for cables that work exactly like the Monster, at less than a quarter of the cost.

 

[DanW]

Quote:

Originally posted by DirectorBoy Single or dual is essentially a function of the cable's capacity, not of the connector type. They're interchangeable, and you only need dual if you need to move a very high-resolution image. Nothing "puts out" single or dual, it simply puts out a resolution, and if the resolution is higher than [email protected], then you need to upgrade to a dual-link cable to see the full resolution. For most of us, that's obviously not necessary.

This is actually incorrect. To get the bandwidth of a dual link connection, it must be supported by the video card, the cable, and the display device. Most applications will not require dual link. As DirectorBoy mentions a single link provides enough bandwidth to support 1080P at 60hz. I doubt anyone will need a higher resolution or refresh rate for an HTPC application. Single link and dual link devices are interoperable at the lower single link bandwidth.


In answer to the original posters question, you probably want a single link cable. It will be a little cheaper than a dual link cable, and since your monitor isn't capable of more bandwidth, the additional cost would be wasted.


DanW

 

[grot]

Thanks for the replies. I did end up buying a fairly cheap cable for my initial playing around tomorrow (half the price of a Monster from bestbuy, shipped overnight!) from DVIgear.


Having been using Svideo for so long, I'll be happy just to have THAT working form my HTPC, DVI will be a bonus if I get it working tomorrow.

 

[DirectorBoy]

What did I say that's incorrect?

 

[wjchan]

Quote:

Nothing "puts out" single or dual, it simply puts out a resolution, and if the resolution is higher than [email protected], then you need to upgrade to a dual-link cable to see the full resolution.

DanW is right. The source (video card) and sink (display) have to support dual-link in hardware and software and the connectors have to be dual-link. Cable alone is not enough.

 

[AVLINK]

Quote:

Originally posted by DanW To get the bandwidth of a dual link connection, it must be supported by the video card, the cable, and the display device...Single link and dual link devices are interoperable at the lower single link bandwidth.

Agree.

 

[DirectorBoy]

I'm confused here... Are you saying there is such a thing as a video card or display that is capable of resolutions in excess of 2000 lines, but is NOT capable of communicating that image via a dual-link DVI cable? That makes no sense to me.

 

[wjchan]

The IBM T221 display has a resolution of [email protected] and has no dual-link capability on the monitor itself.


As an analogy, you are sort of asking, "Don't all appliances that draw more than 2kW use 3-phase 480V?" No, not really. Everything in the chain has to be built to use 3-phase 480V.

 

[DirectorBoy]

I understand the "everything in the chain" bit, that's pretty elementary. But I've been speaking on the assumption that a manufacturer wouldn't build an extremely high resolution component with DVI, but then limit that DVI to work only within the boundaries of a single-link connection. Unless maybe dual-link wasn't part of the original DVI spec and we're talking about older components? Is that why that IBM monitor uses more cables, rather than higher-capacity cables, to move such a high-resolution image? I can't imagine any other reason.

 

[wjchan]

The IBM T221 was designed before dual-link chips were available. Even with dual-link, you'll need 2 of them to drive it and no card has dual-dual-link even today. Instead, the T221 comes with 4 single-link DVI ports. The latest revision, the 9503DG5, comes with an external dual-link to 2x single-link converter box. nVidia tweaked its driver to support [email protected] over a combination of a dual-link and a single-link port on the Quadro FX 3000.


Silicon Image now makes some single-link transmitters and receivers that exceed the limit (and standard) of 165MHz pixel clock rate. They can go up to 220MHz.


Anyway, I think what DanW and I are trying to say is that you made a statement (and assumption) that's not 100% accurate and confusing to casual readers.

 

[FizzGiGG]

grot,


Hope this isn't too OT, but you might have the same problem's that I am having.

I also have a Toshiba 46H83 that I received about a month ago. Sweet TV. But I have not been able to get the DVI/HDCP input on the TV to display anything except the Windows XP bootup screens. (640x480) So I am assuming that it is working, of course, because it DOES display something, just not the actual GUI resolutions.


Coming from my Radeon 8500's DVI-I output, I am using a DVI-D single-link cable. PowerStrip is running the vid card at the required HD compatible resolutions from the included custom resolutions presets. From all the searching I have done I have not found anything to help.


Please let us know if you are able to get anything to work on yours when it arrives, and good luck!

 

[DirectorBoy]

Yes, wjchan, I get it... I'm not objecting, just trying to learn. All I know about this stuff is what I've read, and obviously, what I've read about DVI didn't quite tell the whole story.