DisplayPort does not have different types of cable certifications. There are no cable versions, no certification tiers, and no bandwidth ratings. Although there are multiple versions of the DisplayPort video standard, all versions use the same cable. Every feature of every version of DisplayPort works on any spec-compliant cable. DisplayPort cables do not need to "support" any features like audio, FreeSync, or HDR for them to work, and they do not need to "support" a certain version of DisplayPort to get the full bandwidth. A standard DisplayPort cable is used for all configurations and all versions of DisplayPort. There is no such thing as a "DisplayPort 1.1 cable" or a "DisplayPort1.2 cable". Please refer to the DisplayPort website <atarget="_blank"href="https://www.displayport.org/cables/how-to-choose-a-displayport-cable-and-not-get-a-bad-one/">here</a>.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort does not have different types of cable certifications. There are no cable versions, no certification tiers, and no bandwidth ratings. Although there are multiple versions of the DisplayPort video standard, all versions use the same cable. Every feature of every version of DisplayPort works on any spec-compliant cable. DisplayPort cables do not need to "support" any features like audio, FreeSync, or HDR for them to work, and they do not need to "support" a certain version of DisplayPort to get the full bandwidth. A standard DisplayPort cable is used for all configurations and all versions of DisplayPort. There is no such thing as a "DisplayPort 1.1 cable" or a "DisplayPort 1.2 cable". Please refer to the DisplayPort website <atarget="_blank"href="https://www.displayport.org/cables/how-to-choose-a-displayport-cable-and-not-get-a-bad-one/">here</a>.<br/><br/>
Please note that this does not mean "any DisplayPort cable you buy is as good as any other". It is possible to manufacture a cable that cannot handle higher data rates like 4K 60 Hz. Such a cable would be non-compliant with the DisplayPort specification's cable requirements, but this does not stop the cable from being sold to consumers. Many DisplayPort cables on the market have not been certified by VESA (the creators of the DisplayPort standard), and therefore are not guaranteed to handle the full bandwidth of the latest DisplayPort version. It is advised to purchase cables which are certified by VESA. The official list of certified cables may be found <astyle="text-decoration:underline; cursor:pointer;"href="https://www.displayport.org/products-database/?products_category%5b%5d=cables-connectors&products_manufacturer=">here</a> (unfortunately it is not a large list).<br/><br/>
Since many people seem to be having trouble finding quality DisplayPort cables, here are some recommendations:<br/><br/>
Accell DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable (VESA-certified):<br/>
GearIT DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable (not VESA-certified, but reviews seem to indicate they handle full DP 1.2 bandwidth out to 15 feet (4.6 meters); 25 foot version does not):<br/>
DisplayPort can be adapted to HDMI with an inexpensive passive adapter. Inline audio is supported through these adapters, and the image quality is identical to a native HDMI connection. Using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter does not provide any special advantage over a normal HDMI connection. No additional bandwidth or features unique to DisplayPort are retained, it is exactly the same as using a normal HDMI connection.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort can be adapted to HDMI with a simple and inexpensive passive adapter up to HDMI 1.4 speeds (full HDMI 2.0 speed requires an active adapter, detailed further down). Any features common to both DisplayPort and HDMI will work through passive adapters, such as inline audio, high color depth, or FreeSync if the monitor supports FreeSync-over-HDMI (not all FreeSync monitors support this).<br/><br/>
The HDMI version and maximum bandwidth depend on the DisplayPort device and the adapter. In order to reach the higher speeds enabled by HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, those speeds must be supported by both the DisplayPort version of the source device and the adapter itself.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect an HDMI source to a DisplayPort display.<br/><br/>
Using a DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapter does not provide any special advantage compared to a straight HDMI-to-HDMI connection. No additional bandwidth, features, or image improvements are gained by using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter instead of a native HDMI output.<br/><br/>
(To see the following limits in terms of maximum resolution and refresh frequency, refer to the <astyle="text-decoration:underline; cursor:pointer;"onclick="document.getElementById('DP_TO_HDMI_LINK').click();">table above</a>)
There are currently two types of passive DisplayPort to HDMI adapters which support different speeds:
<ul>
<li>DisplayPort 1.0–1.1 ports support up to HDMI 1.2 at up to 4.95 Gbit/s bandwidth (165 MHz TMDS clock)</li>
<li>DisplayPort 1.2 ports support up to HDMI 1.4 at up to 9.0 Gbit/s (300 MHz)</li>
<li>DisplayPort 1.3–1.4 ports support up to HDMI 2.0 at up to 18.0 Gbit/s (600 MHz) on paper, but no passive adapters have been produced that are capable of this</li>
<li><b>Type 1</b> passive adapters support up to 4.95 Gbit/s (HDMI 1.2 speed; up to 1080p 60 Hz)</li>
<li><b>Type 2</b> passive adapters support up to 9.0 Gbit/s (≈HDMI 1.4 speed; up to 1080p 120 Hz / 4K 30 Hz)</li>
</ul>
The adapter must also be rated properly to enable the higher speeds.
(For a more detailed list of resolutions and refresh rates supported by each type, refer to the <astyle="text-decoration:underline; cursor:pointer;"onclick="document.getElementById('DP_TO_HDMI_LINK').click();">table above</a>)
<ul>
<li>Type 1 adapters support up to 4.95 Gbit/s bandwidth (165 MHz)</li>
<li>Type 2 adapters support up to 9.0 Gbit/s (300 MHz)</li>
<li>There is currently no way to utilize DisplayPort 1.3's HDMI 2.0 (600 MHz) passive adapter support, since no passive adapters that can support the higher speed have been produced yet</li>
<li><b>DisplayPort 1.1</b> supports only <b>Type 1</b> adapters (Type 2 adapters will still work, but will be capped to the same speed as a Type 1 adapter).</li>
<li><b>DisplayPort 1.2</b> and higher support both <b>Type 1</b> and <b>Type 2</b> adapters at their full speeds.</li>
<li><b>DisplayPort 1.3</b> and higher also have paper support for a third type of passive adapter which supports up to 18.0 Gbit/s (full HDMI 2.0 bandwidth), but no adapters of this type have been produced yet. As a result, active adapters are still required to reach full HDMI 2.0 speeds with any version of DisplayPort at this time.</li>
</ul>
All types of adapters are compatible with all versions of DisplayPort, but the speed of the HDMI connection will be limited to the capabilities of the slowest device in the chain.<br/><br/>
Although Type 1 adapters are still sold, there is generally no reason to buy one. Type 2 adapters are still compatible with all of the lower speeds and devices that Type 1 adapters are used for, and can usually be found around the same price. Type 1 adapters are still sold because they are cheaper to produce (thus higher profit margin) and most people are unaware that there are multiple types of DisplayPort to HDMI adapters, and won't miss the extra capability unless they try to use a resolution higher than 1080p.<br/><br/>
Retailers do not usually label their passive adapters as "Type 1" or "Type 2", so they must be identified by the maximum resolution claimed by the manufacturer. Type 1 passive adapters will usually list a maximum of 1920×1080 or 1920×1200 at 60 Hz, while Type 2 adapters will support up to 1920×1080 120 Hz or 4K 30 Hz.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to HDMI adapters are not usually labeled as "Type 1" or "Type 2", and can only be identified by checking the maximum resolution claimed by the manufacturer. Type 1 adapters will be limited to 1920×1200 or 1920×1080 at 60 Hz or 2560×1440 at 30 Hz, while Type 2 adapters will be capable of 2560×1440 at 60 Hz or 3840×2160 (4K) at 30 Hz.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect an HDMI source to a DisplayPort display.<br/><br/>
Type 2 passive adapters are generally around the same price as a Type 1 adapter, so there is usually no reason to buy a Type 1 adapter anymore.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to HDMI Type 2 passive adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GW8DZV4/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0UDYLM/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
DisplayPort to HDMI Type 2 passive adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GW8DZV4/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0UDYLM/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
DisplayPort to HDMI Type 2 passive adapter cable (1.8meters):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013G4F0D8/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01672IR6I/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
DisplayPort to HDMI Type 2 passive adapter cable (1.8 meters):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013G4F0D8/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01672IR6I/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Type 2 passive adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<!--Type 2 Mini DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapter: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZC8MLY8/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US</a><br /><br />-->
<br/>
</div>
<b>Active Adapters</b><br/><br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
Conversion from DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 requires an active adapter. Currently these adapters are also required for converting DisplayPort 1.3 and 1.4 to HDMI 2.0 too, since passive adapters that can handle HDMI 2.0 speeds are not available yet.<br/><br/>
Currently, an active adapter is required for converting any version of DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0. The source must be DisplayPort 1.2 or higher to use these adapters.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 active adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S0C7QO8/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BQ8I54/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 active adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S0C7QO8/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BQ8I54/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 active adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S0BWR2K/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BQCUGW/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
Mini DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 active adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S0BWR2K/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BQCUGW/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
<b>Comments About Componentry Inside DisplayPort to HDMI Passive Adapters</b><br/><br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
Although DisplayPort sources support the direct output of TMDS-encoded HDMI signals, it sends them at DisplayPort's native voltage (3.3 V) with AC coupling instead of the DC-coupled 5 V used by HDMI and DVI. Passive DisplayPort to HDMI adapters have a conversion circuit inside them which converts the voltage of the signals from AC-coupled 3.3 V to DC-coupled 5 V, called a level shifter. This does not make it an "active adapter", because it is not decoding DisplayPort packets and converting the information contained into an equivalent data stream in the 3-channel TMDS format that HDMI uses. The initial signal received by the adapter is <i>already in</i> the 3-channel TMDS format used by HDMI, and the adapter has no effect on the digital values of the signals passing through it, and so does not "convert" or modify any information in the data stream. It is a simple voltage change for electrical compatibility between the two systems, and the circuit is powered by the integrated 3.3 V power line from the DisplayPort source.<br/><br/>
I have seen some controversy over whether DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapters count as "passive" or not, because they have an integrated circuit inside, so I want to comment on this point.<br/><br/>
The only real impact this has (from an engineering standpoint) is that it places a hard limit on what speeds a particular adapter can support, which is why there are different "types" of DP to HDMI adapters which support different speeds. This is because the output of the level shifter circuit needs to be able to keep up with frequency of the input signal (i.e. it needs to be able to change between 0 V and 5 V fast enough that it can generate digital signals at the required frequency). As new versions of HDMI keep doubling the frequency of the previous version, the DisplayPort to HDMI adapters made for the previous version are not suitable for supporting the newer speeds, so a new adapter using upgraded circuits is required each time.<br/><br/>
</div>
Although DisplayPort sources support the direct output of TMDS-encoded HDMI signals, it sends them at DisplayPort's native voltage (3.3 V) with AC coupling instead of the DC-coupled 5 V used by HDMI and DVI. Passive DisplayPort to HDMI adapters have a conversion circuit inside them which converts the voltage of the signals from AC-coupled 3.3 V to DC-coupled 5 V, called a level shifter. This does not make it an "active adapter", because it is not decoding DisplayPort packets and converting the information contained into an equivalent data stream in the 3-channel TMDS format that HDMI uses. The initial signal received by the adapter is <i>already in</i> the 3-channel TMDS format used by HDMI, and the adapter has no effect on the digital values of the signals passing through it, and so does not "convert" or modify any information in the data stream. It is a simple voltage change for electrical compatibility between the two systems, and the circuit is powered by the integrated 3.3 V power line from the DisplayPort source.<br/><br/>
The only real impact this has (from an engineering standpoint) is that it places a hard limit on what speeds a particular adapter can support, which is why there are different "types" of DP to HDMI adapters which support different speeds. This is because the output of the level shifter circuit needs to be able to keep up with frequency of the input signal (i.e. it needs to be able to change between 0 V and 5 V fast enough that it can generate digital signals at the required frequency). As new versions of HDMI keep doubling the frequency of the previous version, the DisplayPort to HDMI adapters made for the previous version are not suitable for supporting the newer speeds, so a new adapter using upgraded circuits is required each time.
<b>Note 1:</b> Resolution and refresh frequency limitations on active adapters are subject to each individual product's limitations. Read the product description.<br/><br/>
<b>Note 2:</b> Mini DisplayPort is functionally identical to DisplayPort, the only difference is the physical shape. Additional adapters to change between DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort can be used freely without affecting the operation or compatibility of other devices in any way.
There is some controversy over whether DisplayPort to HDMI passive adapters count as "passive" or not, because they have an integrated circuit inside, so I want to comment on this point.<br/><br/>
A passive adapter can be used to connect a DisplayPort output to a DVI input. This is equivalent to a <b><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span></b> connection. Inline audio is not supported. These adapters can still be used to connect to monitors that have <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI ports, but the connection will be limited to the capabilities of <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI as outlined in the table above (<astyle="text-decoration:underline; cursor:pointer;"onclick="document.getElementById('DP_TO_DVI_LINK').click();">click here</a>).<br/><br/>
<b>All DisplayPort to DVI passive adapters are <u>Single-Link only</u></b>. DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI passive adapters <b>do not exist</b>. Although most DisplayPort to DVI passive adapters are advertised as "Dual-Link" and may appear to have "Dual-Link" connectors on them, please be warned that these are fake. The extra pins on these DVI connectors are dummy pins which are not connected to anything, and the adapter will still only function as a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI adapter. It is physically impossible to create a passive DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI adapter due to an insufficient number of pins on the DisplayPort connector.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to DVI passive adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect a DVI source to a DisplayPort display.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZMUL6SI/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BI3YEQO/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZMUL6SI/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BI3YEQO/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter cable (1.8 meters, latching):
Mini DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZMU9PQS/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DRK716G/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
Mini DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZMU9PQS/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DRK716G/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
@ -1858,9 +1870,9 @@
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
Inexpensive DisplayPort to <b><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">Single-Link</span> DVI</b> active adapters exist. These are intended for multi-monitor configurations on some older graphics cards which do not support more than two monitors through DVI / HDMI, including DisplayPort to DVI / HDMI passive adapters; these graphics cards are identified <ahref=".?section=active_adapters_for_multi_display">here</a>. Generally speaking, any inexpensive DisplayPort to DVI active adapter is <b><u>Single-Link-only</u></b>. As with passive adapters, these may appear to have "Dual-Link" connectors on them and may be advertised as "Dual-Link", so it is advised to read the description carefully to look for the maximum resolution and refresh frequency that the adapter claims to support. <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI adapters will be limited to 1920×1200 @ 60 Hz or 2560×1600 @ 30 Hz.<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI active adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQQ2HDC/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDT01TO/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI active adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQQ2HDC/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDT01TO/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
@ -1870,23 +1882,38 @@
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
A more complex active adapter is required to convert DisplayPort to a full <b><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">Dual-Link</span> DVI</b> connection. Please note that DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI active adapters are expensive and generally unreliable, so these should only be considered as a last resort. Even if your monitor has a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI port, it is usually not necessary to have a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI connection. Passive and active DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI adapters still function in <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI ports. <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Dual-Link</span> DVI active adapters should avoided unless the monitor's specifications exceed the limits of <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span> DVI (listed in the table above).<br/><br/>
DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI active adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ISVI3U/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A493CNY/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI active adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ISVI3U/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A493CNY/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI active adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030XMREG/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6L6DW/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI active adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030XMREG/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6L6DW/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
<b>Comments About Componentry Inside DisplayPort to DVI Passive Adapters</b><br/><br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
Although DisplayPort sources support the direct output of TMDS-encoded DVI signals, it sends them at DisplayPort's native voltage (3.3 V) with AC coupling instead of the DC-coupled 5 V used by HDMI and DVI. Passive DisplayPort to DVI adapters have a conversion circuit inside them which converts the voltage of the signals from AC-coupled 3.3 V to DC-coupled 5 V, called a level shifter. This does not make it an "active adapter", because it is not decoding DisplayPort packets and converting the information contained into an equivalent data stream in the 3-channel TMDS format that DVI uses. The initial signal received by the adapter is <i>already in</i> the 3-channel TMDS format used by DVI, and the adapter has no effect on the digital values of the signals passing through it, and so does not "convert" or modify any information in the data stream. It is a simple voltage change for electrical compatibility between the two systems, and the circuit is powered by the integrated 3.3 V power line from the DisplayPort source.<br/><br/>
I have seen some controversy over whether DisplayPort to DVI passive adapters count as "passive" or not, because they have an integrated circuit inside, so I want to comment on this point.<br/><br/>
Although DisplayPort sources support the direct output of TMDS-encoded DVI signals, it sends them at DisplayPort's native voltage (3.3 V) with AC coupling instead of the DC-coupled 5 V used by HDMI and DVI. Passive DisplayPort to DVI adapters have a conversion circuit inside them which converts the voltage of the signals from AC-coupled 3.3 V to DC-coupled 5 V, called a level shifter. This does not make it an "active adapter", because it is not decoding DisplayPort packets and converting the information contained into an equivalent data stream in the 3-channel TMDS format that DVI uses. The initial signal received by the adapter is <i>already in</i> the 3-channel TMDS format used by DVI, and the adapter has no effect on the digital values of the signals passing through it, and so does not "convert" or modify any information in the data stream. It is a simple voltage change for electrical compatibility between the two systems, and the circuit is powered by the integrated 3.3 V power line from the DisplayPort source.
<b>Note 1:</b> Resolution and refresh frequency limitations on active adapters are subject to each individual product's limitations. Read the product description.<br/><br/>
<b>Note 2:</b> Any <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> device or cable will also work in a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-I</span> port. If your display has a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-I</span> port, you do not need to search specifically for a "DisplayPort to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-I</span>" adapter.<br/><br/>
Conversion from HDMI to DisplayPort requires an active adapter. Please note that these adapters are very unreliable and should only be considered as a last resort. Most HDMI to DisplayPort active adapters do not support the newest HDCP protocols and so they will not work with modern game consoles. I am not aware of any HDMI 2.0+ to DisplayPort 1.2+ active adapters at this time.<br/><br/>
HDMI 1.4 to DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0144NS4Z6/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BXMOREI/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TCUY2AI/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
HDMI 1.4 to DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter dongle (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0144NS4Z6/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BXMOREI/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TCUY2AI/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
<br/>
HDMI 1.2 to DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter (use with an HDMI and a DisplayPort cable):
Also available is the 3D portion of the HDMI 1.4a specification:<br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
<ahref="https://linustechtips.com/main/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=291921">HDMI Specification v1.4a 3D Signaling Extract</a><br/>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.4a-3D.pdf">HDMI Specification v1.4a 3D Signaling Extract</a><br/>
</div><br/>
</div>
</div>
@ -2299,14 +2326,14 @@
HDMI to DVI passive adapters are bi-directional, so the same adapter can be used both from an HDMI source to a DVI display, and from a DVI source to an HDMI display.<br/><br/>
Standard Speed HDMI to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter (use with HDMI cable):
Standard Speed HDMI to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
Standard Speed HDMI to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter (use with DVI cable):
Standard Speed HDMI to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
High Speed HDMI to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> passive adapter cable (2.0 meters):
Conversion from DVI to DisplayPort requires an active adapter.<br/><br/>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> to DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter:
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XQQ92M/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPYTFQM/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> to DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter dongle (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XQQ92M/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPYTFQM/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> to Mini DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter:
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> to Mini DisplayPort 1.1 active adapter dongle (use with Mini DisplayPort cable):
DVI to HDMI passive adapters are bi-directional, so the same adapters are used for both DVI source to HDMI display and HDMI source to DVI display.<br/><br/>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> to Standard Speed HDMI passive adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> to Standard Speed HDMI passive adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> to Standard Speed HDMI passive adapter (option 2; use with DVI cable):
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> to Standard Speed HDMI passive adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> to High Speed HDMI passive adapter cable (2.0 meters):
DVI to VGA passive adapters are bi-directional, so the same adapter can be used both from a DVI source to a VGA display, and from a VGA source to a DVI display, if the display's DVI port is <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-I</span>. However, this is very rare; most displays have <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> ports, which will <b>not</b> accept VGA passive adapters.<br/><br/>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-I</span> to VGA passive adapter (use with VGA cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000067SOH/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VLN3D8Q/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LPO2IW2/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-I</span> to VGA passive adapter dongle (use with VGA cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000067SOH/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VLN3D8Q/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LPO2IW2/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
<br/>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-I</span> to VGA passive adapter cable (1.8meters):
If your computer only has a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> port available (not <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-I</span>), then a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> to VGA active adapter is required.<br/><br/>
<spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">DVI-D</span> to VGA active adapter:
DVI to VGA passive adapters are bi-directional, so the same adapter can be used both from a DVI source to a VGA display, and from a VGA source to a DVI display, if the display's DVI port is <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-I</span>. However, this is very rare; most displays have <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> ports, which will <b>not</b> accept VGA passive adapters.<br/><br/>
DVI to VGA passive adapter:
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026JMO16/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000067SOH/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026JMO16/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000067SOH/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
<br/>
</div>
@ -3180,16 +3207,16 @@
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect a DisplayPort source to a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">USB-C</span> display.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWPXL/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K51GM46/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter dongle (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWPXL/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K51GM46/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort cable (1.8 meters):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXKDRAC/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6DT070/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter cable (1.8 meters):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXKDRAC/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6DT070/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to Mini DisplayPort adapter (use with Mini DisplayPort cable):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect an HDMI source to a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">USB-C</span> display.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI 2.0 active adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIVSC6Y/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S5C7G/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYUCWOK/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI 2.0 active adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIVSC6Y/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S5C7G/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYUCWOK/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI 2.0 active adapter cable (1.8meters):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DVI adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect a DVI source to a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">USB-C</span> display.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012B58JRM/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FM52F00/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012B58JRM/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FM52F00/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter cable (1.8meters):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter cable (1.8 meters):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect a VGA source to a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">USB-C</span> display.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA active adapter (use with VGA cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126ZFTZM/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWON7/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA active adapter dongle (use with VGA cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126ZFTZM/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWON7/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA active adapter cable (1.8meters):
DisplayPort-to-DVI and DisplayPort-to-HDMI passive adapters will not function when chained off of a USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWPXL/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K51GM46/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter dongle (use with DisplayPort cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWPXL/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K51GM46/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort cable (1.8 meters):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXKDRAC/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6DT070/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort adapter cable (1.8 meters):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXKDRAC/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J6DT070/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to Mini DisplayPort adapter (use with Mini DisplayPort cable):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI adapters are configured internally as a USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DisplayPort passive adapter with a DisplayPort to HDMI active adapter attached to it. These adapters work on any USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> port that supports video output via DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which is the video protocol used by all video-capable USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> devices to date. Although a "USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> HDMI Alternate Mode" specification exists, it is not used in most devices because it was not published until a long time after DisplayPort Alternate Mode had already been universally adopted, and furthermore HDMI Alternate Mode is limited to HDMI version 1.4 and therefore has seen little interest.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI 2.0 active adapter (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIVSC6Y/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S5C7G/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYUCWOK/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI 2.0 active adapter dongle (use with HDMI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIVSC6Y/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S5C7G/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYUCWOK/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (3)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to HDMI 2.0 active adapter cable (1.8meters):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to DVI adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect a DVI source to a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">USB-C</span> display.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012B58JRM/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FM52F00/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter dongle (use with DVI cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012B58JRM/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FM52F00/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter cable (1.8meters):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Single-Link</span><spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">DVI-D</span> active adapter cable (1.8 meters):
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA adapters are not bi-directional, so they cannot be used to connect a VGA source to a <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">USB-C</span> display.<br/><br/>
</div>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px">
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA active adapter (use with VGA cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126ZFTZM/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWON7/&tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA active adapter dongle (use with VGA cable):
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126ZFTZM/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (1)</a>
<atarget="_blank"href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9AWON7/?tag=linus21-20">Amazon US (2)</a>
<br/>
USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> to VGA active adapter cable (1.8meters):
Video over Thunderbolt 3 uses either 4 or 8 lanes of DisplayPort 1.2 (HBR2), depending on the video bandwidth required. For 4-lane operation (up to ≈4K 75 Hz), passive USB <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">Type-C</span> cables rated for 20 Gbit/s are sufficient. 8-lane operation, which is necessary for higher modes like 5K 60 Hz, will require cables rated for 40 Gbit/s.<br/><br/>
</div>
<b>Display capabilities</b><br/><br/>
<b>Display Capabilities</b><br/><br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
Thunderbolt 3 uses the DisplayPort 1.2 video protocol (HBR2) for its display capabilities. Not all Thunderbolt 3 devices have the same capabilities. Depending on implementation, a Thunderbolt 3 port may have a maximum of either:
<ul>
<li>4 lanes of HBR2 (17.28 Gbit/s total); sufficient for a single 4K 75 Hz or 5K 30 Hz monitor</li>
<li>8 lanes of HBR2 (34.56 Gbit/s total); sufficient for dual 4K 75 Hz monitors, or a single 4K 144 Hz or 5K 75 Hz monitor.</li>
<li>4 lanes of HBR2 (17.28 Gbit/s total); sufficient for a single 4K 75 Hz or 5K 30 Hz display</li>
<li>8 lanes of HBR2 (34.56 Gbit/s total); sufficient for dual 4K 75 Hz displays, or a single 4K 144 Hz or 5K 75 Hz display.</li>
</ul>
Not all Thunderbolt 3 ports are capable of the full 8-lane configuration. Thunderbolt 3 ports advertised with a maximum of 20 Gbit/s bandwidth (or 2 PCIe lanes) are limited to 4 lanes of DisplayPort. Thunderbolt 3 ports which support the full 40 Gbit/s bandwidth (or 4 PCIe lanes) are capable of the full 8-lane DisplayPort configuration.<br/><br/>
No, HDMI cables do not have versions. In fact, advertising a cable as an "HDMI 1.4 cable" or "HDMI 2.0 cable" or "HDMI 2.0 compliant" (etc.) has been banned by the HDMI Licensing authority since 2009, and any cable product which references HDMI version numbers is considered a non-compliant cable.<br/><br/>
The vast majority of normal High Speed HDMI cables will work at 4K 60 Hz, they don't need to be special "4K" HDMI cables. If you're buying a new 4K display and already have some HDMI cables laying around, try them first. If it turns out they can't handle 4K 60 Hz (it's not absolutely guaranteed) <i>then</i> go look for a Premium High Speed certified HDMI cable, but in most cases you will not need any new cables.<br/><br/>
@ -5078,7 +5105,7 @@
Due to the way HDMI 2.0 was released (without an 18 Gbit/s certification for cables), there is some ambiguity as to whether or not High Speed HDMI cables (certified at 10.2 Gbit/s) will work at 18.0 Gbit/s. There is testimony for both sides; some people report that they tried several High Speed cables which failed at 18 Gbit/s speeds, and finally bought a cable advertising 18 Gbit/s (or "HDMI 2.0") which did work, and therefore insist that cables rated for HDMI 1.4 speeds are insufficient, and "HDMI 2.0 cables" are a real thing. And yet others report that they bought an "HDMI 1.4" cable rated for 10.2 Gbit/s, which worked perfectly at HDMI 2.0 speeds, and therefore insist that there are no special cables needed for HDMI 2.0, and that any normal High Speed HDMI cable will work fine at HDMI 2.0 speeds.<br/><br/>
The latter position can be hard to argue with, given that the HDMI Consortium gave <atarget="_blank"href="http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_2_0/hdmi_2_0_faq.aspx#144">this official statement</a> when HDMI 2.0 was released:<br/><br/>
<b>Can existing HDMI cables support the higher bandwidths of HDMI 2.0 Specification?</b><br/><br/>
Yes, existing High Speed HDMI Cables (wire only) will support the new higher bandwidths (up to 18Gbps).<br/>
@ -5091,7 +5118,7 @@
However, at longer distances like 10 or 15 meters, manufacturing tolerances need to be a lot tighter to minimize distortion, and it's far less likely that a High Speed certified cable will continue to operate flawlessly all the way up to 18 Gbit/s. But, since most consumers only deal with shorter lengths where most High Speed cables do indeed work at HDMI 2.0 speeds, the failures at longer lengths went mostly unnoticed, and there have been countless articles written and shared across the internet about how all HDMI cables are the same and that any High Speed cable will work for HDMI 2.0 speeds, when in fact that isn't quite true in all situations.<br/><br/>
The HDMI Consortium has since created the Premium High Speed certification, which actually tests cables at 18 Gbit/s, to address this problem.<br/><br/>
HDMI Licensing acknowledges the issue of some "high speed" cable not quite being up to the task of actually handling the full 2.0 bandwidth, saying:<br/><br/>
"Although many current High Speed HDMI Cables in the market will perform as originally expected (and support 18Gbps), some unanticipated technical characteristics of some compliant High Speed HDMI Cables that affect performance at higher speeds have been found. These cables are compliant with the Category 2 HDMI Cable requirements and perform successfully at 10.2Gbps, but may fail at 18 Gbps."
@ -5100,7 +5127,7 @@
Of course, some people dismiss the "Premium High Speed" certification as a marketing ploy (or even deny that <ahref="http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/premiumcable/Premium_HDMI_Cable_Certification_Program.aspx">the certification exists</a>) and continue to insist that any High Speed cable will work at 18 Gbit/s and that Premium High Speed cables are exactly the same. While it's true that most of the time a High Speed cable will do the job, in which case using a Premium High Speed cable makes exactly zero difference, it's simply false to say that all High Speed cables will work at 18 Gbit/s, despite what the HDMI Consortium's HDMI 2.0 FAQ page says. And in those cases, having a Premium High Speed certification does matter. They aren't just the same thing as High Speed cables re-labeled for marketing. As said of course, usually you won't need a Premium certified cable, but in some circumstances you might.<br/><br/>
BJC sums it up quite nicely in a sentence:<br/><br/>
There is, therefore, for most users no reason to rush out and buy new cables to handle HDMI 2.0. It's quite possible, for reasons we'll get to, that you may find that you need to do this, but it's by no means a foregone conclusion.
</div><br/>
@ -5130,15 +5157,15 @@
<b>Is HDMI limited to 60 Hz?</b><br/><br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
No, HDMI is not limited to 60 Hz. Only HDMI 1.0 and 1.1 were restricted to specific formats (which were all 60 Hz and under), but this restriction was removed in HDMI 1.2 in 2005, and HDMI has not had any hard limit on refresh frequency since then. 720p 120 Hz in fact is explicitly listed in HDMI 1.2 as a supported format, although at 1080p it was still limited to 60 Hz by bandwidth constraints. HDMI 1.3 in 2006 alleviated these bandwidth constraints, increasing it to surpass Dual-Link DVI, and 1080p 144 Hz has been allowed over HDMI ever since then.<br/><br/>
No, HDMI is not limited to 60 Hz. Only HDMI 1.0 and 1.1 were restricted to specific formats (which were all 60 Hz and under), but this restriction was removed in HDMI 1.2 in 2005, and HDMI has not had any hard limit on refresh frequency since then. 720p 120 Hz in fact is explicitly listed in HDMI 1.2 as a supported format, although at 1080p it was still limited to 60 Hz by bandwidth constraints. HDMI 1.3 in 2006 alleviated these bandwidth constraints, increasing it to surpass <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap;">Dual-Link</span> DVI, and 1080p 144 Hz has been allowed over HDMI ever since then.<br/><br/>
</div>
<b>But I have an ASUS VG248QE / BenQ XL2411Z / Acer GN246HL and it's capped at 60 Hz over HDMI!</b><br/><br/>
<divstyle="padding-left:20px;">
Yes; these and many other 1080p 144 Hz monitors are equipped with HDMI 1.4a inputs, yet are still limited to 60 Hz over HDMI. This is just an unfortunate limitation of those particular monitors, it is not a limitation of the HDMI standard. Other monitors, such as the ViewSonic XG2401, the Nixeus NX-VUE24A, and the Samsung C24FG70 are also 1080p 144 Hz monitors with HDMI 1.4a ports, and they <i>do</i> accept 1080p 120/144 Hz over HDMI. It's purely a matter of manufacturer's discretion whether they want to implement that capability or not. Sadly, many instead choose to implement HDMI 1.4a with reduced bandwidth, presumably for cost-saving reasons.<br/><br/>
Yes; these and many other 1080p 144 Hz monitors are equipped with HDMI 1.4a inputs, yet are still limited to 60 Hz over HDMI. This is just an unfortunate limitation of those particular monitors, it is not a limitation of the HDMI standard. Other monitors, such as the ViewSonic XG2401, the Nixeus <spanstyle="white-space:nowrap">NX-VUE24A</span>, and the Samsung C24FG70 are also 1080p 144 Hz monitors with HDMI 1.4a ports, and they <i>do</i> accept 1080p 120/144 Hz over HDMI. It's purely a matter of manufacturer's discretion whether they want to implement that capability or not. Sadly, many instead choose to implement HDMI 1.4a with reduced bandwidth, presumably for cost-saving reasons.<br/><br/>
The long and short of it is, some displays support 1080p 120+ Hz over HDMI1.4, some don't. It just depends on the display, so you'll need to do some research on whatever product you're considering.<br/><br/>
The long and short of it is, some displays support 1080p 120+ Hz over HDMI 1.4, some don't. It just depends on the display, so you'll need to do some research on whatever product you're considering.<br/><br/>
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<b>But if a product doesn't support the full bandwidth of HDMI 1.4a, surely it can't be HDMI 1.4a-compliant!</b><br/><br/>
@ -5158,7 +5185,7 @@
<b>Wasn't support for 1080p 120 Hz only added in HDMI 1.4b (and therefore not supported in 1.4a and earlier)?</b><br/><br/>
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No. This claim comes from people reading it on Wikipedia but not checking the citation, which was just a youtube video of some random guy saying so. Having read the actual HDMI 1.4/a/b Specification documents, I can tell you this claim of 1080p 120 Hz support being introduced in HDMI 1.4b is completely false. Nothing noteworthy was introduced in HDMI 1.4b (see <ahref="https://linustechtips.com/main/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=292532">here</a>).<br/><br/>
No. This claim comes from people reading it on Wikipedia but not checking the citation, which was just a youtube video of some random guy saying so. Speaking as someone who has read the actual HDMI 1.4/a/b Specification documents, this claim of 1080p 120 Hz support being introduced in HDMI 1.4b is completely false. Nothing noteworthy was introduced in HDMI 1.4b (see <ahref="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.4b-history.pdf">here</a>).<br/><br/>
1080p 120 Hz has been explicitly listed in the HDMI Specification as a supported format since HDMI 1.4 (not just 1.4b), but even under HDMI 1.3 or 1.3a it can be implemented as a vendor-specific format which is a perfectly valid approach. Video formats do not require "support" from the HDMI Specification to work, because the word "support" does not mean what most people think it means in this case.<br/><br/>
@ -5172,10 +5199,10 @@
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Indeed.<br/><br/>
Here's the <b>first sentence</b> of the video section of the HDMI1.4a Specification:<br/><br/>
Here's the <b>first sentence</b> of the video section of the HDMI 1.4a Specification:<br/><br/>
<i><atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.4a-sec6.pdf">HDMI Specification Version 1.4a (2010), §6.1</a></i><br/><br/>
<b>6.1 Overview</b><br/><br/>
@ -5183,34 +5210,31 @@
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"Any video format timing". Am I just taking it out of context and applying it beyond its intended meaning? No. Here's the same section from <ahref="https://linustechtips.com/main/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=291916">HDMI 1.1</a>:<br/><br/>
"Any video format timing". Am I just taking it out of context and applying it beyond its intended meaning? No. Here's the same section from <atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.1.pdf">HDMI 1.1</a>:<br/><br/>
<i><atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.1-sec6.pdf">HDMI Specification Version 1.1 (2004), §6.1</a></i><br/><br/>
<b>6.1 Overview</b><br/><br/>
HDMI allows a wide variety of explicity defined video format timings to be transmitted and displayed. These video format timings define the pixel and line counts and timing, synchronization pulse positions and duration, and whether the format is interlaced or progressive.
<b>HDMI allows a wide variety of explicity defined video format timings to be transmitted and displayed</b>. These video format timings define the pixel and line counts and timing, synchronization pulse positions and duration, and whether the format is interlaced or progressive.
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In HDMI 1.0 and 1.1, only certain pre-defined formats were allowed (listed in §6.1–6.3; all of them are 60 Hz and under, so HDMI was indirectly limited to 60 Hz by that). In 2005 with the release of <ahref="https://linustechtips.com/main/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=291917">HDMI 1.2</a>, that clause was specifically changed to say what it still says today, that <i>any</i> format is allowed. It's quite deliberate.<br/><br/>
In HDMI 1.0 and 1.1, only certain pre-defined formats were allowed (listed in §6.1–6.3; all of them are 60 Hz and under, so HDMI was indirectly limited to 60 Hz by that). In 2005 with the release of <atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.2.pdf">HDMI 1.2</a>, that clause was specifically changed to say what it still says today, that <i>any</i> format is allowed. It's quite deliberate.<br/><br/>
HDMI 1.2 was designed to make HDMI more viable for the PC space, by allowing any arbitrary resolution and refresh rate (within the bandwidth limit), as opposed to the strict adherence to only standardized home theater formats required by HDMI 1.0 and 1.1. Although it does still have a list of pre-defined formats (to maximize interoperability between products, as it says), any format which is not explicitly defined in the HDMI Specification may still be implemented as a vendor-specific format.<br/><br/>
HDMI 1.2 also expanded the list of explicitly defined formats itself to include some >60 Hz formats like 720p 120 Hz, so the claim that it or later versions of HDMI impose a flat 60 Hz limit is patently false:<br/><br/>
<i><atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.2-sec6.pdf#page=3">HDMI Specification Version 1.2 (2005), §6.3.2</a></i><br/><br/>
<b>6.3.2 Secondary Video Format Timings</b><br/>
<ul>
<li>720(1440)x240p @ 59.94/60Hz</li>
<li>2880x480i @ 59.94/60Hz</li>
<li>2880x240p @ 59.94/60Hz</li>
<li>1440x480p @ 59.94/60Hz</li>
<li>1920x1080p @ 59.94/60Hz</li>
<li>[...]</li>
<li>1920x1080i @ 119.88/120Hz</li>
<li>1280x720p @ 119.88/120Hz</li>
@ -5222,21 +5246,18 @@
However, the maximum bandwidth of HDMI 1.2 was the same as 1.0 and 1.1, so at 1080p it was still limited to 60 Hz due to bandwidth constraints.<br/><br/>
In 2006, <ahref="https://linustechtips.com/main/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=291919">HDMI 1.3</a> increased the maximum bandwidth by over double, enough for up to 144 Hz at 1080p. From this point onwards display manufacturers have been free to implement 1080p 120/144 Hz as a vendor-specific format.<br/><br/>
In 2006, <atarget="_blank"href="https://glenwing.github.io/docs/HDMI-1.3.pdf">HDMI 1.3</a> increased the maximum bandwidth by over double, enough for up to 144 Hz at 1080p. From this point onwards display manufacturers have been free to implement 1080p 120/144 Hz as a vendor-specific format.<br/><br/>
HDMI 1.4 added 1080p 120 Hz to the list of explicitly defined formats, so it is no longer even necessary for the manufacturer to have to define their own timings for the format:<br/><br/>
Glenwing
7 years ago