What is a DisplayPort connector?

DisplayPort, often shortened to DP, is a digital display interface originally designed to connect computers to their screens. The technology emerged in Silicon Valley in the late 2000s. Apple was the first to adopt it in 2008 with a mini DisplayPort on its machines, followed by Lenovo in 2009.

The port carries both audio and video to the display, with genuine advantages in bandwidth and signal quality. Even so, it has not replaced competing standards such as HDMI; the two coexist.

The different versions

Each version has improved the data rate and the supported resolutions.

• Version 1.0: a data rate of 10.9 Gbps, plus a bidirectional auxiliary channel at 1 Mbps.
• Version 1.2: a data rate of 21.6 Gbps, handles 4K at 60 frames per second; the auxiliary channel is raised to 720 Mbit/s (compatible with USB 2.0 and ethernet).
• Version 1.3: a bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps, supports two 4K streams at 60 fps, one 4K stream at 120 fps, HD 3D, as well as 5K RGB and 8K displays.
• Version 1.4: incorporates Display Stream Compression 1.2, with a 3:1 ratio, and enables 8K at 30 fps or 4K HDR at 120 fps.

Connector types

There are two variants: the standard port, intended mainly for monitors, and the mini DisplayPort, found on computers, particularly Apple’s MacBooks.

DisplayPort versus HDMI

The two technologies do not use the same transmission method. DisplayPort relies on Low Voltage Differential Signaling and delivers 3.3 volts, whereas HDMI uses Transition Minimized Differential Signaling and delivers 5 volts. This difference makes them fundamentally incompatible, which calls for a few precautions when connecting them.

To go from HDMI to DisplayPort, an AV over IP type DisplayPort encoder converts the stream in order to avoid damaging the components. In the other direction, from DisplayPort to HDMI, a simple cable fitted with both plugs is enough: it converts 3.3 volts to 5 volts safely.