Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
What's the difference between single-link and dual-link? DVI uses a transmitter to send information along the cable.
A single-link cable uses one transmitter, whereas a dual-link cable uses two transmitters. This means that dual-link
connections are faster and offer better signal quality.
DVI-I.
This connector works with both analog and digital signals. It comes in single-link and dual-link ver-
sions (see Figure 1.5).
1.5
DVI-I single-link (left) and dual-link (right) connectors.
As you can see, each type of DVI connector uses a slightly different pin arrangement. When you're matching
your external display, DVI cable, and DVI adapter (described next), you need to make sure that they all use the
same type of DVI connector.
In high-tech cable and port connections jargon, a connector with pins is described as male and a connector with holes
is described as female. Both of the Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters use a female DVI connector, which means you
can't plug either one directly into an external display's DVI port, because it is also female. In other words, you need to
run a DVI cable — which is male on both ends — between the adapter and your external display.
To connect MacBook Air's Mini DisplayPort to a DVI port on an external display, you have two choices de-
pending on the type of DVI required by the display:
DVI-D single-link.
You need to get the Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter.
DVI-D dual-link.
You need to get the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter, shown in Figure
1.6.
