Posted Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 01:00 PM PST by Mike Attebery
You may never use it, but the DisplayPort 1.2 standard is impressive, offering 21.6 Gbps transfer rates over one cord.
Chances are, you’ve never used a DisplayPort cord to connect your devices. You may have heard about it, and Apple TV owners will be familiar with the standard. In fact, if you own any Apple product – besides the iPhone – you’ve probably got a DisplayPort output.
So what is DisplayPort? It’s a standard mainly used in computers that transfers video, audio, and data signals. The new DisplayPort 1.2 standard doubles the transfer rate up to 21.6 Gbps, and adds a wide array of new features.
To start, it supports multiple monitors from a single connector. Whether you want two panels running at 2560 x 1600 or four running at 1920 x 1200, DisplayPort can handle it. It can carry that video signal along with bi-directional USB 2.0 data, and an Ethernet signal.
DisplayPort 1.2 can support video resolution up to 3840 x 2400 at 60Hz. While that may seem like overkill, that kind of resolution is needed to compensate for the drop that comes hand in hand with 3D. DiplayPort can handle 3D well, with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 at 120 Hz.
The standard may have gotten its start in computers, but VESA executive director Bill Lempesis says they’re making headway into the living room. “DisplayPort Version v1.2 offers a complete set of benefits and capabilities that no other standard can provide. DisplayPort is a truly open, flexible, extensible multimedia interconnect standard that is ubiquitous in the PC, notebook and display markets and is rapidly gaining traction in consumer electronics applications.”
Source: PC Magazine
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.