DisplayPort 1.4 Specifications Unveiled: Supports 8K Resolution and HDR

DisplayPort, the interface that is used to connect a laptop (or any other video source) to a monitor or TV is getting an upgrade. Vesa says that it has finalised the specifications of DisplayPort 1.4. The upgraded port will be able to drive 60Hz 8K display and support HDR colour modes at 4K and 8K resolutions.

Vesa, a non-profit corporation that oversees various standards for computer graphics, says that it is pushing the capabilities of DisplayPort further. The DisplayPort 1.3 standard increased the bandwidth to drive 60Hz 5K displays or 30Hz 8K displays. The DisplayPort 1.4 pushes it further, adding support for 60Hz 8K display over a single cable and HDR colour models at 4K and 8K resolutions (8Kp60Hz and 4Kp120Hz HDR deep colour). Furthermore, the DisplayPort is able to take advantage of the USB Type-C connector, enabling it to support SuperSpeed USB.

Many believe that HDR (High Dynamic Resolution), a technology that focuses more on extending the total range of pixels as opposed to packing in more pixels, will drive how TV shows and movies are distributed in the coming years. The better support for HDR in DisplayPort further concretes such possibility.

The DisplayPort 1.4 retains the physical interface as the DisplayPort 1.3 - that is High Bit Rate 3 which drives 8.1Gbps per lane - but will drive higher-resolution displays with better colour support levering Display Stream Compression, a visually lossless form of compression that offers up to 3:1 compression ratio.

Additionally, the DisplayPort 1.4 is also bringing audio improvements. The specifications extensions cover capabilities such as 32 audio channels, a sample rate of up to 1536kHz and support for "all" audio formats.

"New applications are demanding displays with better resolution, wider colour gamut, and increased dynamic range. Consumers and others are also recognising the value and ease-of-use associated with running multiple displays on one interface, which is another area we addressed in this new release with MST improvements," said VESA Board Chair Alan Kobayashi, fellow and executive R&D management for Smart Connectivity Group at MegaChips Technology America.