DisplayPort

DisplayPort Basics

What is a DisplayPort?

A DisplayPort is a standardized interface for transmitting audio and video signals between a PC and a monitor. So a DisplayPort has similar tasks as a HDMI, VGA or DVI port. In the next few years, however, this modern technology is expected to replace the old DVI and VGA connections. The DisplayPort is capable of displaying high resolutions of 8K, while VGA and DVI are only designed for a maximum of 2K. Its design and features are defined by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association). DisplayPort is currently the most powerful interface and offers more performance than any other standard. The power of DisplayPort opens up new possibilities in information technology. These include the PC, digital display and consumer electronics sectors. Like so many standards, DisplayPort has had a checkered history of upgrades. The most recent version is designated 1.4.

Difference DisplayPort to HDMI

Every current computer model has an HDMI port. Image and sound can be transmitted via this. On the new generations of modern graphics cards, there is also a DisplayPort port in addition to the HDMI output. This mainly concerns graphics cards from the gaming segment. While HDMI is nowadays mainly used to connect game consoles and DVD players to the TV, the DisplayPort is designed to send high data rates from the computer to one or more connected monitors. One small advantage of HDMI cables is that they are Ethernet-enabled. When you turn on one device, the device connected via HDMI is also turned on. For example, you only need to turn on the console to have the TV "on" right away.

Advantage transfer rate

Especially for gaming, a high frame rate is important. Today's optimum is a frequency of 144 Hz or even higher. The refresh rate indicates the rate at which the image is updated per second. So a 60 hertz screen updates its image 60 times per second, while a 144 hertz screen updates 144 times. The higher the frequency, the better the gaming experience. HDMI 2.x cables are theoretically capable of transmitting 144 Hz. Unfortunately, many gaming monitors are built in such a way that the frequencies of 144 Hz cannot be transmitted via HDMI, but only via DisplayPort. These high transmission rates are no problem for DisplayPort cables. Even the highest frequencies of 240 Hz, as they are increasingly found in high-end gaming, are transmitted effortlessly.

Advantage Use of special sync programs:

The special sync programs of some graphics card manufacturers can be used via the DisplayPort. For example, G-Sync from NVIDIA or Freesync from AMD can be mentioned. If the image transfer from the monitor and graphics card is not completely synchronized, it reduces the gaming pleasure. Applications like G-Sync ensure that the communication runs synchronously again even at high frequencies and the gaming experience is optimized.

Mini DisplayPort

In addition to the normal DisplayPort, there is now a smaller version, the Mini DisplayPort. This was developed by Apple and offers the same range of functions as the larger model. The Mini DisplayPort is therefore a smaller connector to save space on the case.

What should you look for when buying?

If you work with content in 8K Ultra HD or are a professional gamer who gambles with a refresh rate of 144Hz or more, you should look for the latest standard 1.4 when buying a cable. For normal computer applications, 1.2 or 1.3 will be sufficient. By the way, the next DisplayPort generation will be called 2.0. The DisplayPort cable can be up to 15 meters long without showing any losses.

What will the DisplayPort 2.0 bring with it?

With the increasingly higher amounts of data being sent by the latest graphics cards, the appropriate cable with a suitable bit rate must be used to take full advantage of the performance. To clarify the differences between the DisplayPort generations, we would like to present you the bit rates and data rates of this powerful connection cable in a table.

DisplayPort / USB-C adapter

Narrow devices like smartphones, notebooks or tablets nowadays come more and more often with a USB-C port. However, USB-C cables also offer the feature of functioning as a DisplayPort replacement. They then work in an alternative mode (called Alt Mode). If the connected devices support DisplayPort Alt Mode, DisplayPort signals can also be transmitted via the USB cable. So you can connect a notebook to a monitor with DisplayPort. All you need is an adapter from USB-C plug to DisplayPort socket.