DVI To DVI Cable

What is DVI? 
DVI stands for (D) igital (V) ideo (I) nterface. 
DVI is a new form of video interface technology made to maximize the quality of flat panel LCD monitors and high-end video graphics cards. It is a replacement for the P & D Plug & Display standard, and a step up from the digital-only DFP format for older flat panels. DVI is becoming increasingly popular with video card manufacturers, and most cards purchased include both a VGA and a DVI output port. 
What are the DVI Formats? 
There are three types of DVI connections: 
1. DVI-D (Digital) 
2. DVI-A (Analog) 
3. DVI-I (Integrated Digital / Analog) 
DVI-D-True Digital Video
DVI-D format is used for direct digital connections between source video (namely, video cards) and digital LCD (or rare CRT) monitors. This provides a faster, higher-quality image than with analog, due to the nature of the digital format. All video cards initially produce a digital video signal, which is converted into analog at the VGA output. The analog signal travels to the monitor and is re-converted back into a digital signal. DVI-D eliminates the analog conversion process and improves the connection between source and display. 
DVI-A-High-Res Analog
DVI-A format is used to carry a DVI signal to an analog display, such as a CRT monitor or an HDTV. Although some signal quality is lost from the digital to nalog conversion, it still transmits a higher quality picture than standard VGA. 
DVI-I-The Best of Both Worlds
DVI-I format is an integrated cable which is capable of transmitting either a digital-to-digital signal or an analog-to-analog signal, but it will not work transmitting a digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital signal. 
Like any other format, DVI digital and analog formats are non-interchangeable. This means that a DVI-D cable will not work on an analog system, nor a DVI-A on a digital system. Make sure that you know what format each part of your equipment is before you purchase any DVI cables. Only equipment with a DVI port labeled 'DVI-I' will accept both a DVI-D and DVI-A source signal. 
Note: To prevent pins being broken off of mistmatched cables, most manufacturers will make their female plugs with all available pins. This means that most every female DVI plug will look like a DVI-I, but this is not necessarily true. Be sure to look for a label, or check the product documentation to make sure you know what type it is. 
How to recognise a DVI Cable
There are two variables in every DVI connector cable, and each represents one characteristic. 
The flat pin on one side denotes whether the cable is digital or analog: 
A flat pin with four surrounding pins is either DVI-I or DVI-A
A flat pin alone denotes DVI-D. These cables are DVI-D
Remember it is not possible to go from a digital signal to an analog signal.