The difference between LVDS interface and RGB interface
Date:2025-11-07
LVDS interface and RGB interface are two common interfaces in display technology, which work at different levels of the system and have fundamental differences.
Simply put:
The RGB interface is a parallel interface that directly transfers raw RGB color data.
The LVDS interface is a serial interface typically used to transmit encoded RGB data and is responsible for long-distance, anti-interference transmission.
Below, we will make a detailed comparison from multiple dimensions.
Detailed comparison table
Feature | RGB interface | LVDS interface |
Essence and orking Principle | Parallel transmission. Transmit the R, G, B data bits (e.g. 6/8 bits) and synchronization clock (CLK), row synchronization (HSYNC), and field synchronization (VSYNC) signals of each pixel simultaneously through multiple data lines. | Serial differential transmission. Use a pair of differential lines (two lines transmitting signals with opposite phases) to transmit data. It converts parallel RGB data, clock, and synchronization signals into a serial data stream for transmission through a dedicated chip (SerDes). |
Signal type | Single ended signal (TTL level). Each signal line transmits relative to the common ground wire. The voltage swing is relatively large (usually 3.3V). | Low voltage differential signal. Each pair of signal lines determines the logic "0" or "1" based on the voltage difference between the two. The voltage swing is very small (about 350mV). |
Number of signal lines | A lot. For example, an 8-bit RGB interface requires: Data cable: R0-R7 (8 pieces)+G0-G7 (8 pieces)+B0-B7 (8 pieces)=24 pieces Control lines: CLK, HSYNC, VSYNC, DE (data enable), etc. The total usually exceeds 25 wires. | Very few. It usually consists of several pairs of differential data lines (such as 4 or 5 pairs) and one pair of differential clock lines. For example, 4 pairs of data lines+1 pair of clock lines=10 lines. (Common formats include JEIDA and VESA, which use 4 pairs of data lines to transmit 24 bit RGB information) |
Data transmission rate | Parallel transmission, with a low single line rate, but a wide bus width, the total bandwidth can be very high. | Serial transmission, the speed of a single pair of differential lines is very high (up to Gbps level), and the insufficient number of channels can be compensated by increasing the single channel speed. |
anti-interference capability | Weak. Single ended signals are susceptible to common mode noise interference, and large voltage swings can also easily generate electromagnetic interference (EMI). Short transmission distance. | Extremely strong. Differential signals have a natural suppression effect on common mode noise. Low voltage swing makes EMI very small. Suitable for long-distance (meter level) transmission. |
Power consumption | Higher. Due to the large voltage swing and numerous signal lines, both dynamic and static power consumption are relatively high. | Low. Low voltage swing and fewer signal lines result in lower power consumption. |
Cost and complexity | The interface is simple and does not require specialized encoding/decoding chips, but the wires are numerous and thick, the connectors are large, and the PCB layout is complex. The overall system cost may increase due to the difficulty of wiring. | A LVDS conversion chip is required for both the sending end (at the main control end) and the receiving end (at the display screen end), which increases the chip cost. But the wires are few and thin, the connectors are small, and the PCB layout is simple, which reduces the cost and difficulty of wiring. |
Main application scenarios | Mainly used for short distance board connections, such as connecting the main control chip and display driver IC, both on the same PCB board or connected through a short FPC. Commonly seen in small and medium-sized embedded devices, early mobile phones, microcontroller driven screens, etc. | Mainly used in long-distance or high anti-interference scenarios, it is the de facto standard for LCD panels. Almost all large-sized screens such as laptops, LCD monitors, and televisions use LVDS interfaces to connect the motherboard and LCD panel. |
Summary of core differences and metaphorical imagery
Parallel vs Serial:
The RGB interface is like a huge moving team, where each person (one data cable) can move one brick (one data bit) at a time, and can move many bricks in one go. Although everyone's speed may not be fast, having more people is more powerful.
The LVDS interface is like a high-speed conveyor belt, with only a few channels, but each channel has extremely fast speed, transporting bricks one by one (in series) at high speed.
Signal mode:
The RGB interface (single ended) is like a person shouting loudly. The sound is loud (high voltage), but it is easily drowned out by environmental noise (interference) and cannot be transmitted far.
The LVDS interface (differential) is like two people whispering. One person says' yes', while another person whispers' no 'at the same time. The listener only cares about the differences in their content. Even in noisy environments (common mode noise), information can be clearly distinguished without disturbing others (low EMI).
Position in the system:
The RGB interface is more "primitive" as it conveys the most direct display instructions. The main control chip generates RGB signals.
The LVDS interface is more "engineered", it is a encapsulation and optimization of RGB signals, aimed at solving the transmission problem of RGB signals in long-distance and complex electromagnetic environments.
workflow
In a typical display system, their relationship is usually as follows:
Main control chip -- (Generate) -->Parallel RGB signal -- (Enter) -->LVDS transmitter chip -- (Convert) -->Serial LVDS signal -- (via cable) -->LVDS receiver chip at the LCD panel end -- (Restore to) -->Parallel RGB signal -- (Drive) -->LCD driver IC and source driver IC -- (Final display) -->Image
Conclusion
The choice of interface depends on the application requirements:
If your design is for short distance connections within the board and is extremely cost sensitive (saving two LVDS chips), and there is ample PCB space, then RGB interface is a simple and direct choice.
If your design requires connecting physically separate motherboards and screens (such as laptops, monitors), or combating interference EMI、 There are strict requirements for the number of cables, so LVDS interface is undoubtedly the standard choice.
With the development of technology, faster interfaces such as eDP and MIPI DSI are gradually replacing LVDS in high-end devices, but their basic ideas (serial, differential, embedded clock) are in line with LVDS. The RGB interface, as a fundamental and source display signal, still widely exists within chips and in simple applications.
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