The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) just announced the latest version of DisplayPort technology: which is called DisplayPort 2. This new standard will support resolutions up to 16K and use traditional or USB-C connectors. So you can have it in your hands at the end of the year 2020.
What is DisplayPort?
DisplayPort is the video transfer standard that most people have never heard of. On a basic level, it is almost identical to HDMI. The current version of DisplayPort can transfer audio and video from 60Hz to 8K to televisions and monitors (HDMI 2.1 supports 10K).
It comes with large and mini presentations (such as the Mini HDMI). And like HDMI cables, DisplayPort cables are really cheap.
So why do people use DisplayPort? On the one hand, it is useful for multi-monitor configurations. Unlike HDMI, DisplayPort has an elegant "chain connection" function.
DisplayPort is a gamers favorite
You can connect a monitor to your computer through this cable and then connect them from that first monitor to the other screens in your configuration. It's clean, it's intuitive and computer professionals and gamers love it.
But, unless you have a high-end monitor or PC, there is a good chance that you cannot use this cable at all. As computer and gamers often use it, manufacturers do not bother to install this standard on cheap computers, monitors or televisions. So, should you be interested in DisplayPort 2? Is it innovative in any way?
DisplayPort 2 is ready for the future and ready for virtual reality
The latest version of this cable is, in essence, an update of the current specifications of itself. It is quite useful and accurate. This standard supports video resolutions of 8K, 10K and 16K with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Which is twice the resolution and bandwidth of current DisplayPort standards.
Transfer data at a speed of 77.37 Gbps, and it will have HDR10 support. In addition, all devices of this type will require DSC support, which is a standard for image compression without data loss, which some manufacturers ignore.
Virtual Reality will be enhanced with this standard
These specifications are impressive by themselves. But they are more impressive when you consider how they can influence virtual reality games. The delivery of 77.37 Gbps payload of this standard is more than ideal for virtual reality games.
VESA states that the updated video standard can send 4K 60 Hz video to up to two virtual reality headsets at the same time. This through the chain connection function, which is naturally a part of DisplayPort 2.
The standard is compatible with its predecessor
Fortunately, DisplayPort 2 is compatible with older DisplayPort hardware, so the shape of the cable has not changed. This should not be a problem for small devices such as smartphones and laptops: USB-C is also fully compatible with DisplayPort 2.
With 16K video and data transfer speeds compatible with Virtual Reality, DisplayPort seems to be ready for the future. We may not see an update of the video standard for another decade.
This cable can work with USB-C
If you have never bought a cable of this type, then you can never buy a version 2 cable. This is not a blow in the format, it is actually a sign that VESA knows how to ensure the survival of the standard.
While DisplayPort 1 required the DisplayPort connector, the second version can also work through USB-C. You have read it well. VESA is adopting the standard USB-C connector.
USB-C is configured to replace the DisplayPort and HDMI ports on almost all consumer electronic devices, it is already the standard in MacBooks. This is possible because USB-C cables are compatible with so-called alt modes.
DisplayPort and USB-C compatibility is efficient
This is a bit confusing, but each USB-C cable contains four data transfer lines and each line has a bandwidth of 20 Gbps. In the alternative mode, the direction of these lines can be altered. Thus, a computer can send data at a speed of 80 Gbps to a monitor.
Does it sound familiar to you? The data transfer rate of 77.37 Gbps can comfortably fit in an alternate USB-C mode. This does not mean that you will need an adapter to connect a USB-C cable to a TV or monitor.
It means that your next TV or monitor compatible with DisplayPort 2 will have USB-C ports, and you can transfer videos from any mobile or PC to that screen via USB-C. It's that easy.
When will the devices have the standard DisplayPort 2?
VESA plans for DisplayPort 2 to reach the consumer market at the end of 2020. But in reality, this transition depends on the manufacturers of computers, smartphones, televisions, screens and monitors.
If a device is not designed to support DisplayPort 2, then that's it. A USB-C port will not fix it, so the internal parts of the device must be updated to the new DisplayPort standard.
That said, it is likely to reach high-end devices and screens before it comes to 200 USD laptops and discounted televisions. HDMI 2.1 is capable of handling 10K video, so there are not many incentives for manufacturers to immediately abandon technology for cheap products.