DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4: Full Comparison and Key Differences

As technology advances, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the different connections and standards used to connect devices such as computers and displays. One such standard is DisplayPort, which has been around since 2006 and has evolved over the years. If you’re in the market for a new display or just curious about DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4, you’ve come to the right place!

DisplayPort is a digital interface that connects a computer or other source device to a display, such as a computer monitor, television, or projector. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) developed the standard, and it has been widely adopted as a replacement for older analog interfaces like VGA and DVI. There are several versions of DisplayPort, each offering different features and capabilities.

DisplayPort 1.2, released in 2010, significantly improved over the original version. It offered higher bandwidth, improved audio and video capabilities, and support for multiple displays. DisplayPort 1.2 also introduced support for daisy-chaining, allowing various displays to be connected to a single computer using a single cable.

Fast forward to 2016, and we have the launch of the DisplayPort 1.4 standard version. DisplayPort 1.4 offers even higher bandwidth, up to 32.4 Gbps, which allows for the support of 8K displays with 60Hz refresh rates and HDR. It also introduces support for Display Stream Compression (DSC), which can achieve higher resolution and refresh rates without requiring additional bandwidth.

So, what does this mean for you? If you’re using a display released before 2016, it likely uses DisplayPort 1.2. However, if you’re in the market for a new display, you may want to consider a DisplayPort 1.4-compatible model for the increased bandwidth and support for higher resolution and refresh rates. Additionally, if you’re connecting multiple displays, DisplayPort 1.4’s support for daisy-chaining can simplify your setup and reduce the cables you need.

Let’s break down the two completely so you can figure out which one is best for you.

DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4: Side-by-Side Comparison

DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4: What’s the Difference?

DisplayPort is a widely used digital interface for transmitting high-quality audio and video signals between computers and displays. There are two versions of DisplayPort available: 1.2 and 1.4.

Although both versions are compatible with the same display connectors and provide a standard interface, their capabilities and performance are essential differences.

Let’s examine the differences between DisplayPort 1.2 and 1.4, including their bandwidth, max data rate, and other features to help you determine which version is suitable for your needs.

Bandwidth

DisplayPort 1.2 offers a bandwidth of 21.6 Gbps, while DisplayPort 1.4 provides a bandwidth of 32.4 Gbps. This allows for higher refresh rates, higher resolutions, and increased color depth in DisplayPort 1.4.

Max Data Rate

The maximum data rate for DisplayPort 1.2 is 25.92 Gbps, while the maximum data rate for DisplayPort 1.4 is 32.4 Gbps. This means that DisplayPort 1.4 can transfer more data faster, allowing for higher-quality video and audio output.

Max Sample Rate

The maximum sample rate for DisplayPort 1.2 is eight channels at 768 kHz, while the maximum sample rate for DisplayPort 1.4 is eight channels at 1536 kHz. This means that DisplayPort 1.4 provides better audio quality and supports higher sample rates.

Display Stream Compatibility

DisplayPort 1.2 is compatible with Display Stream Compression (DSC) 1.1, while DisplayPort 1.4 is compatible with DSC 1.2.

DSC is a lossless compression technology that allows higher resolutions, refresh rates, and color depths to transmit over a single cable.

HDCP 2.2

DisplayPort 1.2 supports HDCP 1.3, while DisplayPort 1.4 supports HDCP 2.2. HDCP is a content protection technology that ensures that only authorized devices can display protected content. HDCP 2.2 provides more robust protection for 4K and 8K content.

Resolution: 8K/4K

DisplayPort 1.2 can support up to 4K resolution at 60Hz, while DisplayPort 1.4 can support up to 8K resolution at 60Hz and 4K resolution at 120Hz. This allows DisplayPort 1.4 to support higher resolutions and refresh rates, providing a better viewing experience.

DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4: 6 Must-Know Facts

• DisplayPort (DP) 1.2 and 1.4 are digital display interface standards supporting high-definition (HD) video and audio transmission.
• DP 1.2 was released in 2010 and supports up to 21.6 Gbps bandwidth. DP 1.4 was released in 2016 and supports up to 32 Gbps bandwidth.
• DP 1.2 supports a maximum resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels at a 60Hz refresh rate. DP 1.4 supports resolutions up to 8K (7,680 x 4,320 pixels) at a 60Hz refresh rate.
• DP 1.2 supports eight audio channels, while DP 1.4 supports up to 32 audio channels.
• DisplayPort 1.4 is backward compatible with DisplayPort 1.2, so devices with DisplayPort 1.2 can still connect to DisplayPort 1.4 devices.
• DisplayPort 1.4 supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making it ideal for gaming and other fast-paced applications.

DisplayPort 1.2 vs. 1.4: Which One is Better?

Whether you’re an avid gamer, a professional graphic designer, or someone who values high-quality visual displays, it’s important to consider your specific needs and requirements.

DisplayPort 1.4 is the newer version and offers more features and higher bandwidth than DisplayPort 1.2, including higher resolution support, higher color depth, Adaptive Sync, HDR, and more audio channels.

If you have a high-resolution monitor or plan to use a high-refresh-rate display, DisplayPort 1.4 would be a better choice as it supports higher resolutions and refresh rates. If you are only using a standard 1080p monitor, DisplayPort 1.2 would be sufficient.

You should use the version that best fits your specific needs. DisplayPort 1.4 will likely be better if you have newer, high-performance hardware.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Barry Paterson/Shutterstock.com.