DisplayPort vs HDMI: Which one should you use?

 should i use displayport or hdmi？

If you've just bought a new TV or computer monitor, you may be wondering which audio/video cable you should use. While most TVs and computer monitors have at least one HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port, some recent models also come with a DisplayPort (DP) connection.

The main difference

The main difference between DisplayPort and HDMI is that HDMI is used to connect most TVs, DVD players, game consoles, and other home theater devices. DisplayPort, on the other hand, is typically found only in computer monitors and some high-end TVs. While each standard has its own advantages, it all depends on the version of each cable you use. Newer versions of HDMI and DisplayPort support higher resolutions and more features.

Image quality

When it comes to image quality, the DisplayPort vs. HDMI debate comes down to the version of each cable you use. displayPort supports higher resolutions and higher refresh rates without compression.

DisplayPort 2.0 supports resolutions up to 16K for commercial use, while HDMI 2.1 only supports resolutions up to 10K.

For regular versions, HDMI 2.0b only supports resolutions up to 4K, while DisplayPort 1.4a can support resolutions up to 8K. Therefore, if you have an 8K display, you will need to use DisplayPort 1.4a or later or HDMI 2.1.

Bandwidth Support

When it comes to bandwidth, the DisplayPort vs. HDMI debate comes down to which version you are using. But whether you're comparing the regular version or the latest version, DisplayPort cables always provide more bandwidth.

With more bandwidth, your display can receive more data at once. You need a cable that supports high bandwidth to get a high refresh rate at high resolutions. This is especially important for computer monitors that use 4:4:4 chroma secondary sampling.

Audio Support

When it comes to audio support, the comparison between DisplayPort and HDMI is mostly a tie. both the latest and generic versions of HDMI and DisplayPort support the same number of audio channels. However, HDMI supports ARC and eARC, while DP does not.

Both the latest and common versions of HDMI and DisplayPort support 32 audio channels, as well as the same maximum audio sample rate and bit depth. However, since HDMI is designed for home theater devices, it does offer some advantages over DisplayPort in terms of audio.

DisplayPort wins

If you're connecting multiple displays to the same computer or laptop, it's best to use a DisplayPort cable. This allows you to use a DisplayPort splitter to connect multiple displays or to "daisy chain" them.

With a daisy chain, you can plug the DisplayPort cable into the computer's output port and the monitor's input port. You can then use another cable to connect from the output port of that monitor to the input port of another monitor.

Both the regular and the latest versions of DisplayPort allow you to do multi-monitor setups.

Cost

HDMI is a trademarked specification, which means that manufacturers must pay annual fees and royalties to use the HDMI standard in their products. This additional cost is passed on to the consumer, which makes them more expensive.

Because DisplayPort is a royalty-free specification, no royalties are charged. But certified DisplayPort cables also cost more than uncertified cables. However, because HDMI cables are more common, they typically cost less.

Which one to choose?

The DisplayPort vs. HDMI debate comes down to what you're using the cable for. If you are connecting home theater equipment, you should use an HDMI cable. If you are connecting a computer monitor, you should use DisplayPort.

You should make sure that all of your devices support the cable standard you choose. Now that you know the right cable to purchase, please contact us for advice.