DisplayPort vs HDMI which is better?

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We will compare both Display Port and HDMI in speed, physical difference, bandwidth, refresh rate to see which one is better.

People might think that it doesn’t matter which cable they use, as both HDMI and Display Ports serves the same functioning of transferring video and audio data. But there are a lot of differences in both the cables, which means both have different refresh rate, bandwidth, resolution. There are many factors to consider before making a purchase and in this article, we will provide you with some advice on what are the differences and which you should be using.

Versions of DisplayPort and HDMI

HDMI Versions

HDMI Version 2.1 (2017) – Support added for 8K, 4K 120p, scene-by-scene Dynamic HDR, and ARC for high-end surround sound.

HDMI Version 2.0a (2015) – Added support for high dynamic range meta data.

HDMI Version 2.0 (2013) – Support added for 32 audio channels in this version and 4K frame rate increased without needing new cables

HDMI version 1.4 (2009)- This version added major home theater enhancements, including Blu-ray 3d, 4K resolution, 3D, Ethernet sharing and audio return channel.

HDMI version 1.3 (2006) – It boosted resolution, colors and gamut. Added lip-sync, cable categories, and  surround sound modes

HDMI version 1.0 (2002) – It supported the first high-end digital TV standard (1920×1080). Versions 1.1 and 1.2 added SACD audio and DVD-Audio formats. 

DisplayPort Versions

Display port version 1.1 (2006) – This version allows a maximum bandwidth of 10.8 Gbit/s over a standard 4-lane main link.

Display port version 1.2 (2009) – This version made a significant improvement on doubling of the bandwidth to 17.28 Gbit/s in High Bit Rate 2 (HBR2) mode and allows greater color depth, increased resolutions, and higher refresh rates.

Display Port version1.3 (2014) – This version increased overall transmission bandwidth to 32.4 Gbit/s with the new HBR3 mode featuring 8.1 Gbit/s per lane 

Features

SPEED

HDMI – HDMI 2.1 is currently the latest version and came out in 2017 with the maximum bit rate of 48 Gbit/s or around 6Gb/s.

HDMI 2.1 can only support an8K display at 60 Hz

Display Port – Display 2.0 which came in 2019 has a maximum bit rate of 77 Gbit/s or around 9.6Gb/s.

Displayport 2.0 can support 8K display at 120Hz and even 16K at 60Hz. So Display port takes the lead in Speed. 

Even BeastSellersReview recommends Display port as it has a maximum bit rate of 77 Gbit/s which is around 62% increased over HDMI 2.1

Physical Difference

Displayport – The display port has a locking mechanism that will stop the cable to pull out. So, you have to push that locking teeth to pull it back out. Due to its locking teeth, it is recommended to buy the best DisplayPort cable to prevent it from breaking

HDMI – In HDMI you just plugin and pull it back out like it doesn’t have any locking teeth. So it’s your preference which one you would buy. 

CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

HDMI – This is the feature that allows you to control the devices connected via HDMI. So one can use a TV remote to control Bluray player or game console, whatever is plugged in and supports up to 15 other devices. So you can just use one remote to control all devices that are plugged in through HDMI. 

Display Port – Display port also added this feature through an aux channel into its pin on version 1.3. So, it can interpret the CEC commands but you would only able to use this feature from an HDMI port so you will need the adapter.

Although both HDMI and DisplayPort have very similar functions, but it is always recommended to purchase a newer version. As, newer the version the higher the bandwidth and resolution.