【DisplayPort vs HDMI Comparison】How to Choose DisplayPort vs HDMI | Advantages | Speed Grades | Q&A | Recommendations

When you need to connect computers, monitors, TVs, or other video devices, DisplayPort and HDMI are two of your main options. Here we compare these two video interfaces to help you decide when to use DisplayPort or HDMI.

1. What is DisplayPort?
2. What is HDMI?
3. What are their advantages?
   1. DisplayPort advantages
   2. HDMI advantages
4. Speed grades
   1. DisplayPort speed grades
   2. HDMI speed grades
5. Common questions
   1. What is the difference between DisplayPort and HDMI?
   2. Do you need a specific monitor or TV to use DisplayPort or HDMI?
   3. What are the differences between DisplayPort and HDMI cables?
6. Recommended products

1. What is Display Port?

   DisplayPort (Display Port) is a digital video transmission interface used to connect computers and displays, TVs, and other devices to transport high-quality video and audio signals. In modern computers and displays, DisplayPort has become a common digital interface. DisplayPort connections mainly come in two types: standard DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort. Mini DisplayPort can transmit the same signals as standard DisplayPort. It is a non-symmetric connector with an L-shaped plug, and it supports multiple functions including connector and cable technologies.
   

   
   

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   What is HDMI?

   HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is another common digital video transmission interface used to connect high-definition TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, computers, and more, with the goal of delivering high-quality video and audio signals. HDMI interfaces can transmit high-resolution imagery, support multichannel audio output, and digital rights management features. In addition, HDMI also supports various output formats such as DVI and DisplayPort. In modern home theater systems and computer displays, HDMI is indispensable.
   
   

   
   

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   What are their advantages?

   3.1 DisplayPort advantages

   a) Supports high resolution and refresh rates:
   DisplayPort, through AMD Adaptive-Sync/FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, achieves advantages in screen refresh rates, supporting up to 8K resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. This helps reduce screen tearing, making it more suitable for high-end gaming and video editing where high visual performance is required.
   
   b) Lossless digital transmission:
   DisplayPort uses lossless digital transmission to deliver high-quality video and audio signals without any degradation in quality.
   
   c) Multi-Stream Transport (MST):
   DisplayPort can daisy-chain compatible monitors or connect to a DP MST hub from a single DisplayPort output on a PC or laptop to transmit multiple independent video and audio streams. This means you can drive multiple displays from one DisplayPort interface without using multiple interfaces.
   
   d) Multi-function:
   DisplayPort not only transmits video and audio signals but can also carry data signals, allowing you to connect computers to external devices such as hard drives and cameras via DisplayPort.
   
   3.2 HDMI advantages
   a) Widespread use:
   HDMI is one of the most commonly used video transmission interfaces and can transfer digital signals between HDTVs and other high-definition displays. Nearly all TVs and displays support HDMI input.
   
   b) Audio transmission:
   HDMI can simultaneously carry high-quality audio and video signals, so you don’t need an extra audio cable to connect audio equipment. It supports multiple audio formats, including stereo, 5.1, and 7.1 channel audio. Therefore, when using HDMI to connect devices, you can obtain high-quality audio and video signals without an extra audio line.
   
   c) Backward compatibility:
   HDMI is backward compatible with older versions, meaning you can use new HDMI interfaces to connect older displays and devices. HDMI stands out among many connection options because it can transmit uncompressed video and uncompressed audio, making it the preferred single-cable solution for many multimedia devices.
   
   d) HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control):
   HDMI interfaces support CEC, which allows you to use a single remote to control multiple connected devices (for example, using the TV remote to control a Blu-ray player). It enables you to control several devices with one remote. For example, via HDMI-CEC compatible ports, you can connect a soundbar to the TV, and the soundbar can turn on/off with the TV and be controlled by a single remote.
   
   
   

4. Speed grades
   4.1 DisplayPort speed grades
   
   DisplayPort is more commonly used on PCs than on TVs. Its major versions are as follows:

• DisplayPort 1.2: Maximum bandwidth 17.28 Gbps, supports up to 3840x2160 (4K) displays, 60Hz refresh, and 3D display. Some 1.2a ports may support AMD FreeSync.
• DisplayPort 1.3: Maximum bandwidth 32.4 Gbps, supports up to 7680x4320 (8K) displays, 60Hz refresh, and 3D display.
• DisplayPort 1.4: Maximum bandwidth 32.4 Gbps, supports up to 7680x4320 (8K) displays, 60Hz refresh, HDR, and 3D display. Although the maximum bandwidth is the same as 1.3, 1.4 can use bandwidth compression technology to reduce data transmission and improve bandwidth utilization.
• DisplayPort 2.0: Maximum bandwidth 77.4 Gbps, supports up to 15360x8640 (16K) displays, 60Hz refresh, HDR, and 3D display. The latest DisplayPort 2.1 replaced this version and improved consistency with USB Type-C specifications and USB4 PHY standards. Additionally, DisplayPort 2.1 added new DisplayPort bandwidth management features that allow DisplayPort tunnels to coexist more efficiently with other I/O data streams over a USB4 link.
  
  
  4.2 HDMI speed grades
  HDMI is most commonly used for TVs, delivering digital video and audio over a single cable. Major versions include:

• HDMI 1.4: Maximum bandwidth 10.2 Gbps, supports up to 4096x2160 (4K) displays, 30Hz refresh, and 3D display.
• HDMI 2.0: Maximum bandwidth 18 Gbps, supports up to 4096x2160 (4K) displays, 60Hz refresh, HDR, and 3D display.
• HDMI 2.1: Maximum bandwidth 48 Gbps, supports up to 7680x4320 (8K) displays, 120Hz refresh, HDR, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and 3D display. Supports up to 10K resolution at 120Hz with dynamic metadata and enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) for improved HDR and the ability to send Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio from the display to a receiver. HDMI 2.1 includes VRR (variable refresh rate), though some HDMI 2.0 displays also support this feature. The newer HDMI 2.1a adds Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM).
  
  

5. Common questions
   
   5.1 What is the difference between DisplayPort and HDMI?
   DisplayPort and HDMI are digital video and audio interface standards, but they have some differences. DisplayPort is typically used for connections between computers and displays, whereas HDMI is more common in home entertainment systems. DisplayPort offers higher bandwidth and better performance, while HDMI supports a broader range of devices and more features, such as HDCP and CEC.
   
   5.2 Do you need a specific monitor or TV to use DisplayPort and HDMI?
   Most modern displays and TVs support one or both interfaces, or at least one of them. When purchasing, ensure the display or TV you choose supports the interface you need.
   
   5.3 What are the differences between DisplayPort and HDMI cables?
   DisplayPort and HDMI cables look similar, but their connectors are different and not compatible with each other. DisplayPort connectors are slightly larger than HDMI connectors and include a locking mechanism to securely secure the connector in the port. In addition, DisplayPort cables support Multi-Stream Transport (MST) technology, enabling multiple independent video and audio streams over a single interface.
   
   

6. Recommended products