Both DisplayPort and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) are without any doubt modern serial interfaces. They are required for carrying digital video from one destination to another over cables. They have, over the years, replaced the old analog interfaces. These include S-Video, VGA, and RGB. Today’s audio and videos come in HD format because they are data intensive.
Therefore, any interface that one chooses must ensure a high data transfer rate. HDMI and DisplayPort make this possible because they are both proven high-speed digital interface option. However, when it comes to similarities, there are more differences than similarities. In this article, we will try and learn the basic differences between DisplayPorts and HDMI for the benefit of our readers.
To begin with we need to understand that HDMI is mainly used in the consumer electronics industry. On the other hand, DisplayPort is mainly used for peripheral video connections and computers.
HDMI
When we talk about HDMI, this is the standard that is part of any HDMI forum. This forum is a non-profit entity and develops and also maintains the required HDMI standards. Additionally it also takes care of certification and testing when it comes to interoperability, and also promotes it. There are 80 members companies who belong to this HDMI forum. It was started in 2003 and since this HDMI has been continuously upgraded. If you use HDTV sets, Blu-Ray players and DVDs or even cable & satellite set-top boxes, you can be sure that HDMI is the technology that is used for data transmission. It also is used video projectors, digital cameras, digital games and also some types of video monitors. It also is found in some smart phones and some tablets. It makes of special types of DP cable for transmitting data.
DisplayPort
Also known as DP, DisplayPort is an accepted standard of Video Electronics Standards Association or VESA. It is responsible for developing, certifying and promoting this data transfer technology. It has more than 200 companies sponsoring and supporting it. DP is the standard for defining of connections of laptops, PCs, and also other video monitors and computers. It also is found on docking stations, video graphic cards, projectors and various other types of computer peripherals. It has been designed to replace DVI and VGA ports. Though it can be used for consumer electronics, it is not done commonly. It does not require payment of any royalties and was introduced in the year 2006.
Some Basic Differences
Year of introduction: HDMI was introduced in 2003 while DisplayPort was brought into the market in 2006.
Target Customers & Applications: While HDMI is targeted towards HDTV and consumer electronics, DisplayPort is mostly used for computer monitors.
Versions: The latest version of HDMI is 1.4 while for DisplayPort, the latest version is 1.2
Number of data paths: There are three data paths for HDMI while it is four for DisplayPort.
The maximum data transfer rate: The maximum speed or data transfer rate is 10.24 Gbits/s for HDMI and it is 17.28 Gbits/s for Display Port
Number of types of connectors: It is five for HDMI and for DisplayPorts it is only two.
Cable length: The cable length is not specified for HDMI whereas it is 3 meters at the maximum rate and it can go up to even 50 meters.
Ethernet availability and Audio Return Channel: This is available for HDMI and in case of DisplayPort it is not available.
CEC & DVI Compatibility: CDMI supports both DVI compatibility and CEC while it is not the cases as far as DisplayPort is concerned.
HDCP: It supports HDCP while DisplayPort does not support it.
Royalty Payments: Yes, for using HDMI, the end-users need to pay royalties, while it is not needed in case of DisplayPort.
Picture Quality, Bandwidth and Resolution
Though DisplayPort is comparatively a late entrant into the market, they have been able to take on HDMI quite successfully. This is because they are supposed to be better as far as Bandwidth, Resolution and Picture Quality are concerned. It comes with an impressive bandwidth of 25.92 Gbps and can therefore support both UHD and 4K UHD. However, is you are keen on using Ethernet data, HDMI is a better option because DisplayPort does not support it.
In terms of popularity, HDMI still continues to score over DisplayPort because it caters to the electronics industry.
The Final Word
The above are just some of the major differences between HDMI and DisplayPort. Both are unique, versatile and have their own advantages, and the customers should decide as to which the better option is based on personal needs and requirements.