StarTech is more than just an appealing name to Trekkies. This company has been around for more than 25 years and they manufacture computer parts, audio/visual products, cables, adapters and more. The StarTech ZENDVIHDMI DVI to HDMI cable is another high-quality product from StarTech. This exceptional adapter cable will connect a device with a DVI port, such as a computer tower, to a source with an HDMI input, such as a high-definition television. It doesn't have as many length options as we would like, and the help and support section on the website needs some work, but this cable is still a deserving winner of our TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award.
Many computers use a Digital Video Interface (DVI) to send and receive video signals. This type of interface is capable of sending high-resolution images to your computer monitor. However, many computer monitors today are including a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). HDMI sends a video signal much like DVI, but it can also send an audio signal. A DVI to HDMI cable, like the Star Tech ZENDVIHDMI, bridges the gap between older DVI technology and newer HDMI technology.
Gold is an excellent conductor of electricity. It also is resistant to corrosion. It is for these reasons that StarTech.com chose to cover connectors of this DVI to HDMI cable with gold plating. This will help the connectors last longer and also ensure a steady current flow.
The ZENDVIHDMI also facilitates a steady current flow by using an oxygen-free copper conductor. A core made of oxygen-free copper reportedly has enhanced conductivity. Some dispute these claims, but this specially made copper certainly doesn't hinder electrical current.
In order to make sure that one connector isn't overpowered by the current the other connector allows in, it is important that each end has a matching impedance level. Impedance is a measurement of a connector's resistance to an electrical current. This DVI to HDMI adapter cable features a DVI connector and an HDMI connector with matching impedances. This cable is also bi-directional, so the signal can be transferred either way.
The StarTech ZENDVIHDMI has a lower data transfer rate than other products we reviewed. Other cables were able to transfer 10.2 Gbps, whereas this cable can only transfer 4.9 Gbps. Nonetheless, it does support a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 or 1080p, which is considered full HD.
The DVI end of this cable has a single-link DVI-D male connector, which implements a digital signal. The product page states that this cable features one "25 pin DVI-D (Dual Link) male" connector. However, the image on the same page shows a single-link DVI connector, with two sets of nine pins. We contacted customer support and found out that this was, in fact, a single-link DVI-D connector. A dual-link connector can transmit more data, but a single-link connector is compatible with more ports.
This DVI to HDMI cable is not UL listed and it is not rated for in-wall use. This may not matter to some, if they're not planning on hiding the cable in the walls. It does, however, have a flexible polyethylene (PE) jacket.
The StarTech ZENDVIHDMI cable is available in three different lengths. You can get this adapter cable in 3.3-foot (1 meter), 6.6-foot (2 meter) and 13.1-foot (4 meter) length options. This isn't as many choices as other products we reviewed, but it should be more than enough for the average user.
If you need any help with your DVI to HDMI cable, you can contact StarTech.com customer support by email or by telephone. They also have a "Live Help" button that quickly connects you to their support team. We used both the live chat and email to contact StarTech.com. The support representative was helpful and professional. When we started asking questions that he didn't know the answers to, he took down our questions and told us that he'd pass them on to the product management team. That team responded very quickly to our email and answered all of the questions we had.
We were unable to find a frequently asked questions page on the manufacturer's website or anything that resembled a FAQs page. This was disappointing after seeing how well organized their support team is. This cable is covered by a lifetime warranty.
If you need to connect a DVI port to an HDMI port, then this adapter cable is sure to please. When using the StarTech ZENDVIHDMI cable, you'll be able to transfer high-resolution digital video signals from one source to another. It has a lower transfer rate than many of the other cables we reviewed and it isn't rated for in-wall use, but it is well-constructed and is backed up by a well-organized support system. This DVI to HDMI adapter cable will satisfy just about anyone.
