There are several interface options available to users today with advancements in technology. However, the right choice for an individual varies depending upon their requirements and the budget.
HDMI and DisplayPort are two such interfaces that allow the transferring of audio and video content from one device to another. However, they have considerable differences.
HDMI vs DisplayPort
The difference between HDMI and DisplayPort is that HDMI connectors are suitable for use in living room devices. On the other hand, DisplayPort connectors are suitable for use in desktop PCs and Laptops. In addition, the maximum bandwidth of HDMI is 18 Gbps. In contrast, the maximum bandwidth of DisplayPort is 32.4 Gbps.
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HDMI refers to a user interface with frame rates of up to 60 Hz. HDMI interfaces offer a 4k resolution to the users. As a result, problems of motion blur and lag are successfully avoided.
The newer versions of HDMI offer several advanced features. There has been a rise of the colour bit depth to 12-bit colour deep. An HDMI forum came into existence on 25 October 2011 to facilitate specifications in HDMI advancements.
Displayport refers to an audio and video transfer technology that allows a 3X increase in video bandwidth performance. Displayport also offers resolutions as high as 8k to its users.
The range of the video signal path varies from six to sixteen bits per colour channel. The signal protocol employed by DisplayPort is the LVDS signal protocol. It also offers a high HDR range to users along with higher refresh rates.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | HDMI | Displayport |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | The maximum bandwidth of HDMI is 18 Gbps. | The maximum bandwidth of displayport is 32.4 Gbps. |
| Supported Standards | HDMI supports only AMD’s Freesync standard. | Displayport supports both AMD’s Freesync standard and Nvidia’s G-sync standard. |
| Application | HDMI connectors are predominantly found in living room devices. | Displayport connectors are predominantly found in desktop PCs and Laptops. |
| Ethernet Signals | HDMI can carry Ethernet signals. | Displayport fails to carry Ethernet signals. |
| Pins | A standard HDMI connector has 19 pins. | A standard displayport connector has 20 pins. |
What is HDMI?
HDMI stands for High -Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI serves as an audio and video interface that transmits uncompressed video data.
Additionally, HDMI also serves the function of compressing or uncompressing digital audio data. Over the years, HDMI has replaced analogue video standards. Some HDMI compliant source devices are video projectors or digital audio devices.
HDMI was designed in December 2002. HDMI seeks to implement the EIA/CEA-861 standards. There has been a rise of the colour bit depth to 12-bit colour deep.
An HDMI forum came into existence on 25 October 2011 to facilitate specifications in HDMI advancements. There have been several different versions of HDMI available in the market ever since the advent of the technology.
However, the similarity among all the models of HDMI is that they use the same connector and cable.
HDMI products hit the global market in late 2003. The newer versions of HDMI offer several advanced features.
Some of the features of HDMI are improved video and audio capacity, resolution and colour spaces, 3D features, data connection, performance, and CEC extensions.
The CEC feature of HDMI allows HDMI devices to control each other whenever required.
HDMI is not an open standard service. As a consequence, manufacturers have to obtain a license by HDMI LA to incorporate HDMI into any component.
The only interface that has the authority to utilise HDMI without a license is DVI. There are specific protocols, electrical interfaces, signals, and mechanical requirements of HDMI standards.
What is DisplayPort?
Displayport refers to a digital display interface that primarily serves to connect a video source to a display device. Some devices compatible with DisplayPort are USB and computer monitors.
Displayport has been standardized by Video Electronics Standard Association. There are numerous manufacturers of the DisplayPort.
The objective of DisplayPort is to replace FPD-link, VGA, and Digital Visual Interface. A unique feature of DisplayPort is its reliance on packetized data transmission.
As a result, DisplayPort allows the use of internal and external display connections. The DisplayPort protocol is derived from micro-packets that allow the merger of clock signals with data streams.
Displayport allows the users to transfer both audio and video content simultaneously. However, the audio and video content can also be transmitted individually.
The range of the video signal path varies from six to sixteen bits per colour channel. The signal protocol employed by DisplayPort is the LVDS signal protocol.
Displayport offers the multi-stream transport feature. The features allow the simultaneous processing of several independent displays into a single stream.
In addition, DisplayPort offers the High Dynamic Range feature to the users. A prominent advantage of DisplayPort is the expansion of the standard with several data types.
Main Differences Between HDMI and DisplayPort
- The maximum bandwidth of HDMI is 18 Gbps. In contrast, the maximum bandwidth of the DisplayPort is 32.4 Gbps.
- A standard HDMI connector has 19 pins. On the other hand, a standard DisplayPort connector has 20 pins.
- HDMI supports only AMD’s Freesync standard. In contrast, DisplayPort supports both AMD’s Freesync standard and Nvidia’s G-sync standard.
- HDMI connectors are predominantly found in living room devices. On the other hand, DisplayPort connectors are predominantly found in desktop PCs and Laptops.
- HDMI can carry Ethernet signals In contrast, DisplayPort fails to carry Ethernet signals.
- https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/displayport-vs-hdmi
- https://www.totalphase.com/blog/2019/08/what-are-the-differences-between-displayport-vs-hdmi/
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
