The bridge between a Digital Video Interface (DVI) port and a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port needs to be well-built. The Gefen CAB-DVI2HDMI cable features high-quality construction and it is offered in a variety of length options. The support behind this cable is lacking, but it still one of the best DVI to HDMI adapter cables available.
A DVI output port is commonly found on computer towers and laptops. DVI sends a high-resolution digital video signal, much like HDMI. However, HDMI also integrates audio into the signal it transfers. This is why it is preferable to DVI. Many computers and laptops now include an HDMI input/output, but many still only have DVI. This is why this type of cable is necessary.
Some consumers have said that the problem with an HDMI connection is that all the pressure of the connection is placed on the pins, possibly causing unnecessary damage. The Gefen CAB-DVI2HDMI is available as a regular cable or as a locking cable. A locking cable has an extra screw on the HDMI cable to help support the connection and take the pressure off of the pins.
This DVI to HDMI adapter cable also has gold-plated connectors and an oxygen-free copper core to help create a steady current flow. Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity and oxygen-free copper is said to facilitate stronger signal transfer than regular copper. Both of these features will help ensure that your digital video signal is as strong as it should be.
If you're using this DVI to HDMI adapter cable for an HDTV, they are good for resolutions up to 1080p, which is considered "full HD." If you're using this cable to connect your computer to an HD monitor, it will support resolutions up to 1920 x 1200.
Impedance is a measurement of resistance to an electrical current. It is important that both ends of the cable are matched so that one connector doesn't get overloaded by the current allowed by the other connector. This DVI to HDMI cable's impedance is 100 Ohms, and it is impedance matched on each end. The Gefen CAB-DVI2HDMI is also bi-directional, so a maximum of 10.2 gigabytes per second can travel in either direction.
The Gefen CAB-DVI2HDMI is available in five different lengths. You can get this DVI to HDMI cable in lengths of six feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 30 feet and 50 feet. The locking version of this adapter cable is only available in the six feet, 10 feet and 15 feet options.
It wasn't easy to find information about the CAB-DVI2HDMI cable on the Gefen site. We had to use the email support feature to get some answers to our questions. The customer support team took a while to reply to us, but, when they did, they were helpful and informative. You can also contact customer support by telephone. No live chat with technical support is available on the Gefen site. Also, this cable is only covered by a two-year warranty. This is significantly less than the lifetime warranty offered by many other adapter cable manufacturers in our review.
No video signal should be lost when connecting a DVI port to an HDMI port. These two formats are compatible with each other and no conversion is necessary. The Gefen CAB-DVI2HDMI adapter cable is made to ensure that the full signal gets from your computer to your monitor or from your laptop to your HDTV.
