Since 1984, Cables to Go has been making custom-made cables for their customers. The Cables To Go SonicWave cable is one of their many high-quality products. This premium adapter cable is used to connect a DVI port to an HDMI port, or vice versa if needed. It is because of the high-quality design, the variety of length options and the excellent customer support that the Cables To Go SonicWave DVI to HDMI cable is our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award winner.
DVI stands for "Digital Video Interface." DVI uses a series of pins to send high-quality digital video signals from one source to another. If you look on the back of your computer you'll probably see a DVI port. While this interface provides high visual output, it does not typically provide any audio. If you need to get audio from your computer tower to your monitor, for example, you'll have to attach a separate cable to transfer audio.
High-definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), on the other hand, does carry an audio signal along with the video signal. HDMI is a step up from DVI because of the audio signal it can carry. HDMI also uses a smaller connector than DVI, so it leaves room for other ports and inputs/outputs. Many manufacturers are beginning to install HDMI ports on their computers.
No conversion is necessary when going from DVI to HDMI. The digital signals provided by each port are compatible with one another. Converting a signal almost always results in some sort of loss of quality, but using a DVI to HDMI adapter cable, like the Cables To Go SonicWave, will keep the digital information pure. This means that you'll get high-resolution images on your computer monitor or you can connect your computer to a high-definition television and keep the image crisp and clear.
The Cables To Go SonicWave DVI to HDMI converter cable has gold-plated connectors. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity. The gold-plated connectors help ensure a strong electrical current can flow through the connector into the port.
The oxygen-free copper core of this DVI to HDMI cable helps boost conductivity even more. Contrary to what the name may suggest, this kind of copper isn't completely free of oxygen. There are still small amounts of oxygen in the copper, but the lower amounts of oxygen allegedly allow for better signal transfer. Some say that oxygen-free copper isn't any better than regular copper, but for those who do acknowledge a difference, the Cables To Go SonicWave will have a leg up on the competition.
Shielding is important for any audio or video cable. This DVI to HDMI adapter cable has two oxygen-free copper braids that are overlapped by Mylar foil to prevent any external interference. This dual shielding will protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), keeping your digital video signal pure and uninterrupted. EMIs can come from appliances such as microwaves or a refrigerator, while RFIs come from any electronic device that is broadcasting or receiving a radio signal.
Resolution is the number of pixels that a given display can produce. A resolution of 1080p means that there are 1,080 lines creating the image on the TV. The "p" means that the cable supports a progressive scan, which processes the images faster than an interlaced scan (1080i). When you connect this DVI to HDMI cable from your computer tower to your monitor or from your computer to your television, you can enjoy full 1080p resolution.
Impedance is a measurement of a product's resistance to an electrical current. It is important that both ends of the cable have the same impedance so that one connector isn't overloaded. This DVI to HDMI adapter cable has matching impedance on both ends. It also is bi-directional, which means you can connect a DVI device to an HDMI device, and vice versa. This Cables To Go SonicWave cable can transfer up to 10.2 gigabytes per second between the DVI and HDMI port.
In the world of DVI, there are a number of different connectors. DVI-D connectors, for example, only send digital signals, DVI-A connectors only send analog signals and DVI-I connectors can transfer either analog or digital signals. This DVI to HDMI converter cable uses a DVI-D connector.
In addition to the different DVI connector types, there are also single-link and dual-link connectors. Dual-link connectors feature more pins. These extra pins carry additional Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) data. Dual-link connectors are preferred, but single-link connectors are more compatible. Dual-link DVI connectors offer an increase in signal quality and speed, but the extra pins won't fit into a single-link DVI port. A single-link male connector can fit into a single-link DVI port as well as a dual-link DVI port.
This adapter cable is UL listed and is CL2-rated for in-wall installation. This means that it is resistant to fire and won't spread flames. It is also RoHS compliant, which means that no hazardous materials were used to make the Cables To Go SonicWave cable.
No matter what length of cord you're looking for, Cables To Go has you covered. This DVI to HDMI cable is available in length options of 0.5 meters, one meter, two meters, three meters, five meters, seven meters, 10 meters, 15 meters and 20 meters. This is more than enough for the majority of computer to monitor setups, and you normally won't be connecting a computer to a TV that is almost 66 feet away. However, the fact that there are so many options makes The Cables to Go SonicWave more desirable than many of the other products we reviewed.
If you have any questions about the cable or DVI to HDMI conversion in general, the Cables To Go site is helpful and informative. On their support page you can find a configurator that helps you decide which type of cable you need. There's also a Connector Guide, driver and manual downloads (although there is no manual available for this specific product) and a knowledge base which is, essentially, a frequently asked questions page. The Technical Documents section can also work as a FAQs page. There is also a glossary on the site where you can learn more about the technology you are purchasing.
If you're going to send them an email, you should send it by clicking on "Customer Service" instead of trying to go through technical support. The email section on the technical support page doesn't seem to be working. You can also chat online with their customer support team – who we found to be very knowledgeable about their products. We were quite impressed with the technical support team from Cables To Go.
This cable is well constructed; it transfers a strong, consistent signal and is backed by excellent customer support. Additionally, you can get this cable in almost any length that you would need so it can be used in a variety of situations. If you're looking to connect a device with a DVI output to a device with an HDMI output, the Cables To Go SonicWave DVI to HDMI adapter cable is the best option available.
