The specifications for DisplayPort version 1.4 have now been finalized, marking the first update to the standard since 2014. It adds support for 8K resolutions operating at 60Hz, and 4K up to 120Hz, as well as improved audio and support for VESA’s Display Stream Compression 1.2 technology.
The 8K resolution support will probably be the most attention grabbing of the new specifications, as some see it as the next display technology they’ll jump to after 1080P, leapfrogging 4K entirely. The increased refresh rate for 4K will be welcome by monitor manufacturers, though, who would love another reason to sell a display upgrade to deep-pocketed gamers.
Indeed, they will need plenty of scratch if they want to be an early adopter, as early 8K televisions have cost in excess of $100,000. As 4K pricing has shown, that is likely to quickly tumble in the years to come.
Another important extra is support for the latest version of Display Stream Compression. That technology is capable of “visually lossless,” video compression to a ratio up to 3:1, which could go a long way to help reduce required data rates for new, higher-resolution media.
Audio wise, the new DisplayPort standard will support up to 32 audio channels and an impressive 1,536kHz sample rate.
In terms of hardware compatibility, one of the more enticing aspects of DisplayPort technology is that 1.4 will be perfectly capable of connecting to laptops and other compatible devices over a USB Type-C connection. Considering how popular the interface is becoming, it makes the new DisplayPort tech extremely versatile.
Indeed, it will be interesting to see if DisplayPort continues to use its own bespoke connector, or if it converts over to using the USB Type-C header instead. It may well depend on the industry the compatible product is targeting. As PC World explains, DisplayPort is very common in business PCs and business focused devices, whereas HDMI is more common in consumer gadgets.
USB Type-C, however, is likely to bridge both worlds, which might make it the more viable option.
