Tekforums

Chat => Entertainment & Technology => Topic started by: Mardoni on October 30, 2007, 17:30:35 PM

Title: Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Mardoni on October 30, 2007, 17:30:35 PM
My GFX card supports dual link DVI and Id like to know what it is and how to make use of it :) The gfx card is hooked upto my TV (720p).

Ive searched the web/wiki but the explanations are all a bit, well, geeky.
Title: Re:Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on October 30, 2007, 17:33:41 PM
Basically, uber monitors like the Apple/Dell 30" displays need duallink, they run at an extremely high resolution.

Its one of those things where if you dont know that you need it, you dont need it.
Title: Re:Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Shakey on October 30, 2007, 17:54:01 PM
Its basically for if you need a resolution of over 1920x1080 (@60hz), dual-link means twice the bandwdth, so twice the resolution (2048 x 1536).

So if youre monitor has 1920x1080 or less, you can safely ignore the existence of dual-link dvi.
Title: Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Mardoni on October 30, 2007, 17:57:12 PM
cheers for the simpleton explainations but boo.

It feels dirty not using something that is available ;)
Title: Re:Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Clock'd 0Ne on October 30, 2007, 23:21:26 PM
Quote from: ShakeyIts basically for if you need a resolution of over 1920x1080 (@60hz), dual-link means twice the bandwdth, so twice the resolution (2048 x 1536).

So if youre monitor has 1920x1080 or less, you can safely ignore the existence of dual-link dvi.

There are quite a few panels out that can cover over that resolution without requiring Dual-link, are you sure about the figures?

I know for a fact CRTs dont and Im pretty sure the Dell 24" LCD goes beyond that res (1920x1200?).
Title: Re:Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Shakey on October 31, 2007, 00:08:43 AM
You can go over 1920x1080 with a single link cable, just reduce the refresh rate :). In order to have higher resolutions @60 your gfx card can use a little cheat.

The maximum data rate (dot clock) of a single-link cable is 165MHz, 1920x1080x60Hz=124.4MHz (will be slightly more due to additional blanking information). The absolute highest signal theoretically possible through single link (with no blanking info) would be 1920x1440@60Hz, though its highly dependant on your gfx (some older cards dont like sending dvi signals much over ~120MHz).

To get higher resolutions through single link, firstly you need a DVI-I cable, so an analogue signal can be sent. An analogue DVI signal has a bandwith of 400MHz, meaning that a nice dual-link resolution like 2048x1536@60Hz=189MHz + blanking can be sent over a single link in analogue mode. Though then youre using an analogue signal which is not really as nice.

So that dell 24" either uses an analogue signal, or you really need to be sure youve got a good gfx and good quality cable behind it.
Title: Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Serious on October 31, 2007, 01:10:32 AM
Quote from: Nimrodcheers for the simpleton explainations but boo.

It feels dirty not using something that is available ;)

Basically you would need a 30" dell or similar. IE not cheap.

Very nice though, my main compys graphics is capable of doing it but the 47" monitor is only 1080p so no need for the second link.
Title: Re:Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Cypher on October 31, 2007, 20:12:14 PM
The new display port standard dismisses this problem with its increased data bandwidth.
Title: Re:Can someone please explain DualLink DVI to me ?
Post by: Leon on November 01, 2007, 10:16:43 AM
Quote from: Clockd 0Ne
Quote from: ShakeyIts basically for if you need a resolution of over 1920x1080 (@60hz), dual-link means twice the bandwdth, so twice the resolution (2048 x 1536).

So if youre monitor has 1920x1080 or less, you can safely ignore the existence of dual-link dvi.

There are quite a few panels out that can cover over that resolution without requiring Dual-link, are you sure about the figures?

I know for a fact CRTs dont and Im pretty sure the Dell 24" LCD goes beyond that res (1920x1200?).

Yep my 24" Dell is at 1920x1200 on single link DVI. From what Ive seen only the 30" monitors seem to want dual link.