DisplayPort: The new video interconnect standard

Indianapolis (IN) – As the future of computing draws nearer, higher video resolutions are in demand by consumers. To address this a new video interconnect standard will soon pave the way for high-end consumer graphics. Dubbed “DisplayPort,” the new interface allows for video resolutions of 2560 x 1600 x 70 Hz with up to 16 bits per color channel (nearly double that of 1080p). Samsung has already produced a 30” panel display using the new standard, and many others soon will also.

DisplayPort version 1.1 was ratified April 2, 2007, by the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) as a license-free, royalty-free video standard interconnect. It utilizes one to four pairs of data links operating at 1.62 or 2.7 Gbps. The 1.1 standard also allows the use of optical fibers. It also has a constant 1 Mbps link serving as a bi-directional auxiliary channel which will drive device settings and modes via the VESA EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) and VESA MCCS (Monitor Control Command Set) standards.

The standard is designed to provide enough bit depth per pixel to allow truly stunning colors at very high resolutions and frame rates. The maximum throughput supports a constant 2560 x 1600 x 70 Hz with 16-bit colors (though it can go down to as low as 6 bits per color channel per pixel) at 3 meters. This requires . With a reduction to 1080p resolutions, it can transmit up to 15 meters. The technology can also be paired, allowing for even higher resolutions by dual-sync cards and monitors.

Security is also top priority as the standard supports DPCP (DisplayPort Content Protection). This is a 128-bit AES encryption using modern cryptography ciphers. Enabled use of this feature allows for protected video transmissions which cannot be easily deciphered in real-time without knowing the key.

DisplayPort is not backward compatible with DVI, HDMI or other interconnects. The specification does allow those signals to pass-through the cable. DisplayPort is part of the open hardware community, allowing wide adoption of open hardware standards without exclusive licensing or patent fees. DisplayPort is being backed by VESA members AMD, Dell, HP, Intel, Nvidia, Samsung and others.