VESA Updates DisplayPort Dual-Mode, Enables 4K Ultra HD Support

VESA has updated its DisplayPort Dual-Mode 1.1 standard to improve interoperability with HDMI and DVI devices. The updated standard features full HDMI 1.4 support, and is able to output its video signals through new DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable adaptors.

Currently, a DisplayPort Dual-Mode cable adapter suffers from a limited output of 1080p at 60Hz, with a 24-bit color depth. With VESA's update, the new standard is able to fully support HDMI 1.4 resolutions like 4k Ultra HD, full HD 3D and 1080p with deep color, together with the use of new compliant DisplayPort Dual-Mode cable adapters. These improvements are achieved by nearly doubling the TMDS (Transitional-Minimized Differential Signal) rate from 165MHz to 300MHz.

Those DisplayPort adapters and cables that meet the new VESA's specifications will be referred to as "Type 2" while devices that are from the previous generation are called "Type 1". Type 2 adapters will be compatible with existing 165MHz Type 1 source devices, but the performance of the Type 2 adapters will be throttled down to 165MHz.

According to its official press release, VESA hopes to be able to reduce the number of video connectivity ports on a PC as its form factor is reduced. As a matter of fact, we find this development more pertinent to the delivery of full HD content to the living rooms of consumers as the recently-concluded CES clearly showed that 4K Ultra HD televisions and displays are the way to go in the near future.

(Source: VESA via Engadget)

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