Overview
The Cable Matters 400098x2 is a 2-pack of passive DVI-D to HDMI adapters, made for connecting older PCs and graphics cards that only offer DVI-D output to modern monitors, TVs, and projectors that only accept HDMI. The short version: it is for people who need up to 1920×1080 @ 60Hz of video, with no drivers and no external power.
It is nothing more and nothing less than that. On Amazon it carries 670 reviews at 4.7 out of 5 stars, a 94% positive rating.
Passive conversion works here because DVI-D and HDMI carry essentially the same TMDS video signal. Nothing is re-encoded, so there is no conversion latency and no image degradation by design.
The flip side is equally strict: because nothing is re-encoded, the adapter cannot produce anything the DVI side cannot already output. No 4K, no 120Hz.
The 2-pack format matters more than it sounds. Small adapters like this get lost easily, and they tend to be needed exactly when you are away from home with no chance to buy a replacement.
Keeping one at the desk and one permanently in a laptop bag is the setup that actually pays off.
Compatibility Guide
Check the connector shape first. This is DVI-D (24+1 pin) male to HDMI female, and mismatched connectors are by far the most common failure point.
Look at the physical port on your hardware before buying.
| Port on your device | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DVI-D single link (24+1) | Yes | The intended use case. Up to 1920×1080 @ 60Hz |
| DVI-D dual link (24+1, all pins) | Partly | It plugs in, but bandwidth is single-link. No 2560×1440 |
| DVI-I (24+5, cross-shaped slot) | No | Physically will not fit |
| DVI-A / VGA (analog) | No | Passive adapters cannot convert analog to digital |
| HDMI input (monitor, TV, projector) | Yes | You still need an HDMI cable — this end is female |
The DVI-I incompatibility is stated in the official compatibility notes. A DVI-I port has an extra cross-shaped analog slot beside the 24 pins, and a DVI-D male plug will not enter it.
"It says DVI, so it should fit" is how people end up with a returned order.
Bidirectional use is possible only if the HDMI source can output a DVI-compatible signal. Most PC GPUs and laptops can; consoles and streaming sticks often cannot.
Treat the HDMI-source-to-DVI-display direction as a bonus, not a guarantee.
One physical caveat: DVI connectors are larger and heavier than HDMI. Hanging a stiff HDMI cable off an adapter puts real leverage on the port.
On wall-mounted displays or in cramped cases, use a flexible cable or a short extension to relieve the strain.
Real-World Impressions and Review Data
As captured on 3 September 2026, the listing shows 670 reviews at 4.7 out of 5 stars — 94% positive.
For an accessory of this type that is a strong score, and it points to the basic behaviour (plug it in, it displays) being reliable. Passive adapters are simple enough that quality comes down to connector fit and moulding accuracy, and neither draws significant complaints here.
What negative reviews on this class of product usually say is not "it doesn't work" but "the port was the wrong type" or "there's no sound." Those are consequences of the DVI-D specification, not defects.
Read the caveats below and the odds of disappointment drop sharply.
Alternatives and Comparison
There are three ways to bridge DVI and HDMI:
- Passive adapter (this product) — cheapest, no power required, up to 1080p60, reuses HDMI cables you already own.
- DVI-to-HDMI cable — one fewer connection point and less likely to work loose, but a fixed length and no reuse of either end.
- Active converter — required for VGA conversion, DisplayPort interop, or embedding audio. Needs power and costs noticeably more.
Pick this adapter when you already own HDMI cables, need adapters in more than one place, and can handle audio separately. If you only need one permanent desk connection, an integrated cable may be tidier.
And if your GPU has DisplayPort, DP-to-HDMI will scale to higher resolutions and refresh rates far more gracefully — DVI conversion is the answer when DVI is the only output you have.
Product Info
Key specifications of the Cable Matters 400098x2:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Connector type | DVI-D (24+1) male to HDMI female |
| Max resolution | 1920×1080 @ 60Hz (single-link DVI) |
| Package contents | 2 pieces |
| Transmitted signal | Video only (uncompressed digital video) |
The listed price was ￥3,084 (tax included) as captured on 3 September 2026. Prices move with sales and stock, so always check the product page for the current figure.
Since this is a 2-pack, the effective per-unit cost is half that amount.
The package contains the two adapters only — no HDMI cable is included, so you will need one on hand. The manufacturer lists an 18-month warranty; check the listing for the exact terms.
Best Use Cases
- Keeping an older DVI-D PC or graphics card alive on a modern HDMI monitor. For office work, browsing, and video, 1080p60 is rarely a limitation.
- Splitting one adapter between desk and bag. The 2-pack means a meeting-room projector with only HDMI input never catches you out.
- Adding a second display when the GPU's HDMI ports are taken but a DVI port is free.
- Setups where audio already runs elsewhere — analog output or a USB DAC. Video-only becomes an advantage, not a compromise.
It is entirely wrong for 4K, refresh rates above 60Hz, HDR, or VRR. That is the single-link DVI standard talking, not the build quality.
Things to Check Before Buying
No audio. This is the most common misunderstanding.
The spec transmits video only. Run a separate audio cable, or use the PC's headphone output or a USB DAC.
Some GPUs do push audio over DVI, but that is environment-dependent and not something to buy on.
No HDCP. Copy-protected streaming services and Blu-ray playback may refuse to display or drop resolution.
If mirroring streaming content to a TV is your main goal, use a direct HDMI-to-HDMI path instead.
It does not fit DVI-I. The shapes differ.
Verify the actual port, not a catalogue photo — used graphics cards and older monitors are frequently DVI-I.
The HDMI cable is not included. The HDMI end is female, so a cable is mandatory. Missing this leads to an unusable delivery.
Verify the listing details yourself. Amazon listing metadata is partly auto-generated and occasionally disagrees with the physical product or with other items.
This listing shows some inconsistency of its own — a yen-denominated price alongside an overseas store name in the seller field. Confirm the product by its images, title, and connector photos before ordering.
If the resolution won't go up, suspect settings before the adapter. When 1080p refuses to appear over a DVI conversion, the cause is usually the GPU driver's display settings or the monitor's input source, not the adapter.
FAQ
Q. What happens on a 4K monitor? A.
It will display, but capped at 1920×1080 @ 60Hz. Single-link DVI lacks the bandwidth for 4K.
Use HDMI-to-HDMI or DisplayPort for 4K.
Q. Is it usable for gaming? A.
Fine at 1080p60, with no conversion latency since it is passive. But 144Hz/240Hz, VRR, and HDR are all off the table.
Q. There's no sound — is it broken?
A. No. Video-only transmission is the specification. Connect audio through a separate path.
Q. Can I use it in reverse, HDMI source to DVI display? A.
Sometimes. It requires the HDMI output to emit a DVI-compatible signal.
PC GPUs usually can; consoles and streaming devices often cannot.
Q. Can I plug it into a dual-link DVI port? A.
It fits, but the link runs at single-link bandwidth. Resolutions like 2560×1440 will not work.
Q. Can the 2-pack drive two displays at once? A.
Yes, provided your GPU has two DVI-D ports, or one DVI-D plus another output you can combine into a dual-monitor setup.
Product Disclosure (Amazon)
- Manufacturer: Cable Matters
- Seller: Amazon US
- Fulfilled by: Amazon US
- ASIN: B07YGY9SZ5
- Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.
