Many People are confused by the different types of DVI connectors. If you buy a wrong type of DVI adapter, it just wates your time & money. , Please read this guide with care and patience

What is DVI

The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video interface standard designed to maximize the visual quality of digital display devices such as flat panel LCD computer displays and digital projectors. It was developed by an industry consortium, the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). It is designed for carrying uncompressed digital video data to a display. It is partially compatible with the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard in digital mode (DVI-D), and VGA in analog mode (DVI-A).

Different types of DVI connectors

The most popular DVI connectors are 24+1 pin one and 24+5 pin one

1. DVI 24+1

This connector is DVI-D (digital only) with Dual link

Dual link: The connector include provision for a second data link for high resolution displays

Single link: The connector doesn't include provision for a second data link for high resolution displays

In the case of dual-link systems, additional pins are provided for the second set of data signals.

Please pay attention, the long flat pin on a DVI-I connector is wider than the same pin on a DVI-D connector, so it is not possible to connect the 24+5 adapter to a female 24+1 by removing the 4 analog pins. It is possible, however, to connect the 24+1 adapter to a female DVI-I connector.

2. 24+5

This connector is 24+5 DVI-I (integrated, digital & analog) with Dual link

3.  18+1

This connector is 18+1 DVI-D (digital only) with Single link

(Since it is single link, it has only 18, not 24 pins)

4. 18+5

This connector is 18+5DVI-I (integrated, digital & analog)  with Single link

(Since it is single link, it has only 18, not 24 pins)

5. 12+5

This connector is 12+5 DVI-A (analog only)

6. 30+5

This connector is 30+5 M1-DA (integrated, digital, analog & USB)

M1-DA connectors are sometimes labeled as DVI-M1; they are used for the VESA Enhanced Video Connector and VESA Plug and Display schemes.

I hope this guide is helpful to you

Simon