DisplayPort vs HDMI - Difference and Comparison

26 Oct.,2023

 

While HDMI is only intended to connect one device to one display, DisplayPort can be used to connect the same device to multiple displays. Both can carry HD quality digital video and audio signals, including support for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), which is required for certain types of DRM-protected HD or Blu-ray content, and which is not supported by DVI . HDMI is ubiquitous; it is found in most modern LCD and LED TVs , DVD recorders and players, set top boxes and monitors. DisplayPort is less popular in spite of being royalty-free but can be found on Apple's iMac desktops and MacBooks (Apple's Thunderbolt ports natively support Mini DisplayPort) and Microsoft's Surface Pro .

Applications

DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). DisplayPort was created to be a universal replacement for separate PC display interfaces including LVDS, DVI and VGA. The interface is primarily used to connect a video source to a display device such as a computer monitor, though it can also be used to transmit audio and other forms of data.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a compact audio/video interface for transferring uncompressed video data and compressed/uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant device ("the source device") to a compatible digital audio device, computer monitor, video projector, or digital television. It is de-facto standard connecting high-definition (HD) equipment, from HDTVs and personal computers to cameras, camcorders, tablets, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, smart phones, media players and just about any other device capable of sending or receiving an HD signal.


Capabilities

DisplayPort can stream up to Ultra HD (4k x 2k) at 60Hz. It can also serve up to 4 displays from 1 port. Multi-channel (1-8 channels) audio is optional. It has twice the bandwidth of 21.6 Gbit/s compared to HDMI’s 10.2Gbit/s. DisplayPort 1.2 supports all common 3D video formats. It also includes HDCP (optional) as well as DisplayPort Content Protection (DPCP).


Resolution Quad HD (QHD)2560 x 1440 Quad Full HD (QFHD) (4K)3840 x 2160 Ultra HD (8K)7680 x 4320

HDMI 1.4 increases the maximum resolution to 4K × 2K , i.e. 3840 × 2160p (Quad HD) 24 Hz/25 Hz/30 Hz or 4096 × 2160p at 24 Hz (which is a resolution used with digital theaters). It supports 3D , and version 2.0 will also support more than the current 8 channels of audio . HDMI comes with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), due to which an HDMI source such as a Blu-ray player may demand HDCP-compliance of the display, and refuse to output HDCP-protected content to a non-compliant display.

Both HDMI and DisplayPort can interoperate with each other and with other ports like VGA or DVI using the respective adaptors.

Types

Types of HDMI connectors

HDMI connectors are of 5 types:

Types of HDMI Connectors

HDMI Connector Types Defined in No. of pins Usage Compatible to Type A HDMI 1.0 19 All HDTV, EDTV and SDTV models Single link DVI-D Type B HDMI 1.0 29 Very high resolution displays-WQUXGA Dual link DVI-D Type C (mini connector) HDMI 1.3 19 Portable devices Type A conenctor using typeA-to-typeC cable Type D (micro connector) HDMI 1.4 19 - - Type E HDMI 1.4 - Automotive (locking tab keeps the cable from vibrating loose, shell helps prevent moisture and dirt) Relay connector for connecting to standard cables

Types of DisplayPort connectors

Mini DisplayPort

Mini Displayport connector


Mini DisplayPort (mDP) is a standard announced by Apple in Q4 of 2008. In Q1 2009, VESA announced that Mini DisplayPort would be included in the DisplayPort 1.2 specification. On 24 February 2011, Apple and Intel announced Thunderbolt, a successor to Mini DisplayPort which adds support for PCI Express data connections while maintaining backwards compatibility with Mini DisplayPort based peripherals.

References

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