DisplayPort vs. HDMI – Which Should You Choose?

HDMI and DisplayPort essentially do the same job – transferring video and audio from a source to a multimedia device. They even have almost the same number of contacts: 19 and 20, respectively. The difference between the interfaces will become clear after reviewing the main advantages and disadvantages of these technical solutions. If you need to transfer high-quality video to the screen, the choice of cable can significantly affect the result.

Types of HDMI cable

Unlike DisplayPort, HDMI is ubiquitous in laptops, TVs , disk players, cameras and camcorders. According to the marking, HDMI cables are divided into:

• Video transmission in 1080i quality.
• High speed. The picture is transmitted in 4K format with a frequency of 30 fps.
• Premium class (4K and 60 fps).
• Ultra (4K and 8K).

The signal transmission rate, depending on the marking, varies from 2 to 48 Gbps. Each of the varieties can be adapted for Internet transfer. In this case, the name includes the word “Ethernet”.

Cable markings are related to HDMI connector standards. Specifications 2 and 2.1 are relevant, corresponding to premium and ultra-class conductors. There is a gradation in the width of the contact area for full-size, mini- and micro-connectors.

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Applications of HDMI cable

Let us dwell in more detail on the demand for HDMI technology in the world of digital technology. The difference between HDMI and DisplayPort is easy to see if you look at the frequency of use of the interfaces in the devices. Premium and ultra-class cables are relevant wherever you need high-quality picture and sound transmission:

• connection of a video card of a PC and a monitor, a laptop port and a TV;
• connection of a set-top box, disc player, game console, home theater;
• connection of sound equipment ( music center , radio tape recorder).

To, for example, connect a TV to a laptop, just connect them with a cord and select the appropriate signal source. A couple of gestures – and the desktop is visible on the big screen.

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Pros and cons of HDMI cable

There are, of course, more advantages:

1. The ability to transmit video / audio / Internet over one HDMI cable.
2. Compatibility of new specifications with previous ones.
3. Specification 2.1 has a bandwidth of up to 48 Gbps
4. The presence of connectors on the cases of motley equipment. It is convenient when there are 2-3 cords of the same type in the house.
5. Deep Color, HDTV, HDR support. You can fully enjoy the quality of the TV picture.
6. The cabled devices can communicate and configure settings for optimal communication.
7. Transmit 4K signal up to 10 meters with an inexpensive cable. On this point, in the Display Port vs copper HDMI duel, the latter definitely wins.

There is, perhaps, one drawback – the cable is capable of transmitting only one stream for one device.

Display Port cable types

By analogy with HDMI, it is worth distinguishing between the types of DP connectors and cables. The first category includes specifications from 1.0 to 2.0. The maximum speed of the 2.0 interface is 77 Gbps. However, unlike HDMI, the latest DisplayPort is still a novelty.

It’s easier to understand the certification of DP cables: the names have not changed several times, as in the case of HDMI. Cord Standards:

• RBR cable runs at reduced speed. Suitable for 1080p picture transmission.
• HBR, HBR2, HBR3 standards. The second and third versions pull 4K.
• UHBR 10-20 standards. The latter is suitable for 8K.

The connectors are divided into 2 groups by size: full-size and mini-display ports. The former are 16.1 mm wide, the latter 7.5 mm. Mini DP cables cannot be equipped with a mechanical latch. In this they are inferior to cords with full-sized connectors.

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Areas of application of the Display Port cable

The technology that the developers decided to use in DP cables is optimal for a PC-monitor connection. The VGA interface has long been outdated, and HDMI has a serious disadvantage from the point of view of cable manufacturers – you have to pay royalties. Hence the relevance of DisplayPort technology. The interface will come in handy if you need:

• Provide signal transmission to two monitors.
• Connect the device with VGA interface to the laptop (an adapter is required). The DP cable will be a good solution when connecting a projector or an old display as a kitchen TV.

The answer to the question of which is better than HDMI or a full-size display port sometimes depends on the specifics of using the cable. The choice in favor of the latter may be due to the presence of a latch.

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Pros and cons of Display Port cable

The opinion that DP cables will overtake HDMI over time is highly controversial. Ad hoc solutions rarely compete successfully with generic options. Nevertheless, it is worth noting the advantages of DisplayPort:

1. High throughput.
2. Connect up to 6 monitors at the same time. Transmitting different signals to different displays.
3. Packet data transmission has made the technology expandable. Cable manufacturers can implement additional functionality with little or no physical interface change.
4. Latch on the full-length DP cable.

Disadvantages:

• DisplayPort is not a very common solution. It can be found mainly on PCs and monitors.
• Lack of internet transmission.

At the end of the article – a small comparison table:

Manufacturers of displays and video adapters are not categorical in choosing between these interfaces: they offer to use a specific DP or universal HDMI at their discretion. Both standards are good.