Does DVI Carry Audio? — Must-Read Facts

If you want to mirror the display on your computer to your TV, then you can use a DVI cable. However, you might run into some misinformation on the internet and become worried that it will not deliver audio. To ease your woes, our experts did the legwork to answer this question.

Does This Cable Support Audio?

The short answer is yes. 

Connecting a computer to a TV can be done in different ways. You can use an HDMI cable as long as it has an HDMI port, or use a DVI cable as long as a DVI input is available on the TV. 

The Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) developed the Digital Visual Interface (DVI). It was designed to transmit video data from the PC to another display device. Before DVI was created, VGA ports were used to transmit audio and video signals. 

When DVI wires entered the picture, it set the standard for transferring video files. These wires are also longer compared to the VGAs. When used to connect devices that are far from each other, a repeater is used to minimize interference in its digital interface. 

dvi to hdmi cable

So, is audio working when you use a DVI cable? Our experts say yes, possibly. It mainly depends on the type of DVI port you are using if it can support DVI audio. Analog signals will need an active adapter but if you are working with a digital signal, then a regular adapter will suffice. 

Though originally no means to deliver sound signals, the graphic card manufacturers were able to manage a turnaround so it’ll be able to carry both audio and video signals. 

How Does it Function?

Now that we’ve passed through the question “does DVI carry audio,” we will now tackle how DVI audio is transferred.  Visual wires, like DVI cables, only transmit few audio signals so you need external devices to properly get the job done. The easiest way would be using DVI to HDMI cable. 

However, if you are using older video cards, then both the video and audio may get delayed since they tend to work slower. In this case, a converter is needed. 

This special wire transfers audio and video data in a single file so not one data is delayed. But there is a need to know about the type of DVI device you have first. Identifying the type of DVI ports is important because unlike HDMI cables, these are not backwards compatible.  

Types of DVI Cables

There are three types of DVI cables that can carry your analog and digital signals. Each cable has a specific function, making not one better than the other. 

dvi cable

A DVI-I type is best for both digital and analog signals. If you are going to watch old videos on your digital players,  then this is the best DVI cable choice. If you want to watch, say, the wedding video of your grandparents, then this cable promises to read the data without losing anything to interference. 

Another type is the DVI-A cable. Like  DVI-I, it can also read an analog signal. However, this will not be able to discern the digital signals. This is also best for watching old movies but it will need external cables for it to transmit DVI audio. 

Lastly, the DVI-D is the most common type of cable used in a DVI device. This is best for users who have heavy and strong digital transmissions. It usually comes in long lengths so this is very useful for users who need a long connection between their devices. This DVI-D cable also requires external power to provide audio output. 

DVI-A and DVI-I need an active adapter since they carry analog data in order to get their audio working. DVI-D can work with the simplest adapter. 

How to Get Sound from DVI?

Video and audio data can be successfully transferred using a special cable as long as the PC supports HDMI audio through DVI connection. However, if you are using an old video card, then you need to upgrade it to the latest version in order to use this cable. 

dvi cable long

The video file is transferred from DVI format into an HDMI input. This special cable can carry over audio data, but your device’s capabilities will still dictate how good it can transmit it. A PC with an old graphics card cannot support this feature too.

Another method is to use an adapter. However, as our team has mentioned, a simple adapter only works for DVI-D to HDMI. If you have other types of DVI, then another adapter with an external power source is needed. 

You can also connect your TV and computer using a DVI cable to send video signals into the TV or any other monitor. This is possible as long as both devices have a DVI port. Additionally, you also need a male-to-male AUX cable or RCA cable to send audio data. 

Alternatives to Graphic Cards that Don’t Support DVI

If you are using GT Geforce series, or any older graphics card, then you’d need an active DVI to HDMI adapter. As mentioned before by our experts, this will need an external power source. 

For other devices like consoles, DVD players [1], or Blu-ray players, it is best to check their manual if they will be able to support DVI connections. 

(If you want something to add to your sound system, here are some great MIDI keyboards for Logic Pro X you can consider) 

FAQ

How do I get sound with DVI?

To get sound with DVI, you can use a DVI cable together with AUX or RCA. You can use DVI cables to directly connect compatible devices, both with the DVI ports to send video then use AUX or RCA cables to send audio signals.

How do I get sound from DVI to HDMI?

To get a sound from DVI to HDMI, you can use DVI to HDMI cable or DVI to HDMI adapter. HDMI to DVI cable is used for compatible devices that transmit DVI video and audio data into the HDMI ports. This needs an updated graphics card. 

The type of DVI to HDMI adapters will depend on which type of DVI port you have. You can also use DVI cables directly to send video and AUX or RCA to send audio signals.

Is DVI better than VGA?

Yes, DVI is better than VGA as it provides sharper and better pictures. It also standardized the transfer method of videos between devices. DVIs can also carry analog and digital data which can be converted to HDMI.

Conclusion

Watching movies from your computer mirrored into your TV is possible with the help of DVI. Our team of experts has summarized and answered the question: Does DVI carry audio? This is so you can watch your movies, both old and new, with the best audio and video quality possible. 

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Writer

Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.