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Commonly confused · IT Support & Hardware

HDMI vs DisplayPort vs DVI: What's the Difference?

HDMI carries digital video and audio and is standard on TVs and consumer devices. DisplayPort is a PC-focused digital interface that also carries audio, supports daisy-chaining monitors, and often leads on refresh rates. DVI is an older video-only connector that can be analog, digital, or both.

HDMIDisplayPortDVI
SignalDigital video and audioDigital video and audioVideo only; DVI-A analog, DVI-D digital, DVI-I both
AudioYesYesNo
Daisy-chaining monitorsNoYes, via Multi-Stream TransportNo
ConnectorType A standard, Type C mini, Type D microStandard and Mini DisplayPort; carried over USB-CLarge 24+5 pin with thumbscrews
ExtrasCEC device control, ARC/eARC audio returnAdaptive sync, high refresh ratesDual-link for higher resolution
Typical useTVs, projectors, consoles, laptopsPC monitors, workstations, docksOlder monitors and graphics cards
Remember it

HDMI for the living room, DisplayPort for the desk, DVI for the storage closet.

Exam tip

A+ asks which connectors carry audio (HDMI and DisplayPort, not DVI or VGA) and which support daisy-chaining (DisplayPort). Be ready to identify connectors by description.

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