Which interface supports both analog and digital display outputs and was introduced in the 90s?

The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is recognized as a standard that supports both analog and digital display outputs. Introduced in the late 1990s, DVI was designed to improve the quality of video output and to replace the older VGA standard. One of its distinguishing features is the ability to carry both types of signals; it can either transmit a digital signal directly from the video source to the display or convert the signal for analog display systems. This versatility allowed for a smoother transition from analog to digital displays, making it an important development in display technology at that time.

DVI comes in different configurations, including DVI-D (digital only), DVI-A (analog only), and DVI-I (integrated, which supports both digital and analog). This adaptability has made it particularly useful for users with different needs and existing equipment during its early adoption phase.

Understanding the role of DVI in display technologies helps highlight the progress toward more robust interfaces like HDMI and DisplayPort, which were designed to further simplify connectivity and offer additional features, such as audio transmission, but DVI retains its significance as an early dual-capability interface.