The release of the new XBOX and PS5 not only makes people salivate for the next-generation console games, but also puts 4K 120Hz high-brush game TVs on the hot search, and also popularizes the HDMI 2.1 standard port knowledge for console players-HDMI 2.1 version and the current mainstream Compared with the 2.0 version, it can transmit more video and audio content per second, so it can load the picture refresh rate of up to 120 frames under 4K ultra-definition resolution.

But in fact, 4K 120Hz is nothing new in the PC field. Graphics cards and monitors using DP1.4 standard ports can easily reach 4K 120Hz.

What is puzzling is that the agreement that also supports the 4K 120Hz DP interface is free, and there is no need to pay a patent fee. Why do TV manufacturers "turn a blind eye" and insist on using the HDMI interface?

What are DP and HDMI interfaces?

DisplayPort (DP for short) is a digital video interface standard developed by the PC and chip manufacturer alliance and standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). This interface is free of authentication and authorization, and is mainly used to connect video sources and displays and other devices. It also supports the carrying of audio, USB and other forms of data.

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI for short) is a fully digitized image and sound transmission medium that can transmit uncompressed audio and video signals. HDMI can be used for set-top boxes, DVD players, personal computers, video games, integrated amplifiers, digital audio and televisions and other equipment.

In layman's terms, the DP and HDMI interfaces are very similar in function and can be used for the transmission of video and audio signals. Of course, apart from convenience, the decision on the strength of the two interfaces depends on their hardware parameters:

DP 1.4: The maximum total bandwidth of the main link is 32.40Gbps, and the maximum total data rate is 25.92Gbps

HDMI 2.1: transmission bandwidth 48.0Gbps, maximum data rate 42.6Gbps

       Other performance comparisons: both support 1080p 30-240Hz, 1440p/2k @ 30-240Hz, 4k 30-144Hz/240Hz DSC, 5k 30-60Hz/120Hz DSC, 8k@30Hz/60Hz DSC, color format, color 

The depth and color space support are basically the same. The only difference is that DP 1.4 also supports DCI-P3 color space, while HDMI 2.1 additionally supports 8K 120Hz

Overall, DP1.4 has a slightly smaller bandwidth than HDMI2.1, but the current mainstream applications are definitely more than enough, and the newly upgraded DP 2.0 standard will also be able to reach 80GB/s bandwidth.

Analysis of the reasons why TV manufacturers insist on HDMI

From a technical analysis, the parameters of the DP 1.4 interface and HDMI 2.1 interface are almost the same. Some extreme "performance" gaps are only for super audio-visual enthusiasts, but for ordinary users' daily entertainment use, there is no difference between the two . So why don't TV manufacturers switch to the free DP interface?

In fact, it is not that TV manufacturers have too much money to spend, but insist on adopting HDMI interface because of the balance of cost and benefit. The DP interface is a protocol dominated by PC and display manufacturers, while the HDMI interface is a protocol dominated by TV manufacturers.

At this stage, in the TV field, the penetration rate of HDMI is already very high, and at the same time, various “derivative products” related to TV-TV boxes, game consoles, players, speaker amplifiers, etc. that are matched at home are all based on HDMI interfaces. the Lord.

If you abandon the HDMI interface and use the DP interface, you will face downward compatibility problems-a bunch of old devices at home can't connect to the TV! Therefore, if TV manufacturers are going to over-DP interface, for the basic market, they still have to retain HDMI interface, so the dual interface design of HDMI+DP will undoubtedly increase the sales cost, but it will not increase too much sales. After all, PC players are still affected by the display The manufacturer firmly controls.

In addition, for a small number of people with special needs—PC hosts are connected to TVs, most of the graphics cards will also be equipped with HDMI interfaces, and the DP interface can also easily support HDMI connections through the transfer method. The HDMI adapter supports DP, which is very inconvenient and expensive! Therefore, comprehensively, 

TV manufacturers upgrade the HDMI interface to the 2.1 standard according to market demand, which is the most cost-effective direction.

The future of DP interface

In general, although the DP interface is very good in terms of hardware parameters, the parameters of DP2.0 can be called "violent", but compared with the current market share of the HDMI interface, the DP interface can only be regarded as a niche interface. The penetration rate is not high. However, as people's requirements for screen resolution and refresh rate are getting higher and higher, the popularity of the DP interface is full of hope.

The currently popular HDMI 2.1 standard interface was actually released as early as November 2017, and has only been gradually introduced and used by TV manufacturers today. The reason is simple. In the field of TV use at the time, there was not much demand for the use of 4K high refresh rate (almost no). HDMI 2.0 was sufficient to meet the demand for 4K use. There was no need to increase the cost to use the higher-end HDMI 2.1 standard interface, even most 1080p resolution TV also uses the HDMI 1.4 standard interface. It was not until the gradual popularity of 4K video that HDMI 2.0 gradually emerged.

At present, smart homes are prevalent. As one of the core systems of smart homes, smart TVs have begun to integrate smart speakers, video calls, monitoring and other functions. With the release of the new PS5 and XBOX, the game TV market will gradually be tapped, and the future bandwidth Higher DP2.0, Thunderbolt 3 interface, and even Type-C interface, may gradually penetrate into the TV field with market demand, bringing richer expansion.