DisplayPort: Information from Answers.com Mobile

DisplayPort

A digital display standard from VESA that is designed to provide a single interface from a PC to a monitor or TV. Using adapters, the DisplayPort can connect to analog VGA and digital DVI monitors as well as digital TVs using HDMI. See DVI and VGA.

Thinner, More Streamlined Displays

Using a small plug and socket similar in size to HDMI, along with a thin cable that can extend up to 50 feet, DisplayPort is aimed at streamlining the entire interface from source to screen. It eliminates the LVDS electronic circuits inside laptops and LCD monitors and provides a "direct drive" connection from the graphics creation to the LCD panel.

Copy Protection

DisplayPort supports its own DisplayPort Content Protection (DPCP) system along with the HDCP copy protection used in HDMI.

DisplayPort 1.2 - High Speed, 3D and More

Introduced in January 2010, Version 1.2 doubles the data rate from 10.8 Gbps to 21.6 Gbps and is backward compatible with DisplayPort 1.1a. Supporting multiple independent data streams, it handles a single monitor up to 3840x2400 resolution, two 2D monitors at 2560x1600 and four at 1900x1200.

DisplayPort 1.2 increases the auxiliary (AUX) channel from 1 Mbps to 720 Mbps, enabling it to transfer video along with regular USB 2.0 data on the same cable. It also supports Ethernet, all major HD audio formats, full HD 3D video at 120 fps for each eye and a 120 Hz 3D monitor at 2560x1600. See Thunderbolt.

DisplayPort Vs. DVI

The DisplayPort is much smaller than DVI, and a DisplayPort-to-DVI adapter is used to connect a DisplayPort computer to a DVI monitor. See DVI.

The D P Logo

Although only DisplayPort cables will plug in, like many interfaces, the DisplayPort socket has a unique logo.

Apple's Mini DisplayPort

Even smaller, Apple introduced the Mini DisplayPort on its laptops in 2008. Although the full DisplayPort supports HDMI audio, the Mini does not. Third-party cables merge the computer's Mini DisplayPort video and USB audio into an HDMI plug that goes to the TV. See Thunderbolt.

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