DisplayPort makes cable selection easy. A standard DisplayPort cable is designed to work with any DisplayPort source device (PC or laptop) and all DisplayPort monitors. Thus, a standard DisplayPort cable works as well as the first DisplayPort systems and monitors introduced 9 years ago, and supports multi-streaming and new systems that deliver 4K images at 60Hz. Future systems will also continue to be supported.
You can also use a standard DisplayPort cable between the computer and a multi-stream hub, or between daisy-chainable multi-stream monitors. You don’t have to buy a special cable to support certain DisplayPort features.
There is a rare exception to this rule. There are only a few reduced bitrate (RBR) cables on the market that support up to 1080p resolution. These are usually limited to projections. Except for these cables defined as RBR, standard DisplayPort cables support all DisplayPort configurations.
Contrary to what you can read on the Internet, there is no such concept as DisplayPort 1.1 and DisplayPort 1.2 cable. The standard DisplayPort cable (including what’s called DisplayPort 1.1) supports all DisplayPort configurations and all new features that come with DisplayPort 1.2, such as 4K and multi-streaming capabilities. All standard DisplayPort cables support RBR, HBR, and HBR2 specifications, supporting up to four 1080p displays at 4K at 60Hz or multi-streaming.
Sellers may try to sell you a more expensive cable, claiming it offers better image quality. Contrary to popular belief, an expensive cable will not give you better image quality. DisplayPort; It sends digital video and audio data using packaged data such as USB and Ethernet. So you either get the data or you don’t. Unlike older video interfaces, you won’t get a better picture or additional benefit with a more expensive cable. Of course, a poor quality cable can cause data errors and cause loss of video or audio data. You should avoid such cables.
One of the most important points to consider when purchasing a cable is deciding the type of port on both ends. Two DisplayPort port types are available. The standard DisplayPort port is about the size of a USB port and is typically used for DisplayPort compatible computer monitors.
The smaller mini DisplayPort port is often used for output on laptops, including Apple products. The Mini DP port is also used for Thunderbolt, which is also broadcast on Apple products. It is also possible to connect any DisplayPort monitor to a Thunderbolt source using the standard DisplayPort cable. (Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with DisplayPort. It even provides compatibility with Dual-Mode DP to HDMI, DP to DVI, DP to VGA adapters.)
Another important criterion is the cable length. Generally, cables with a length of 1 to 3 meters are available.
As we mentioned before, low quality DisplayPort cables should be avoided to prevent unexpected audio or video loss. Always purchase cables from a reputable computer or accessory brand. You can also purchase a DisplayPort certified cable to get a more secure cable.
Recently, VESA drew attention to the existence of poor quality and improperly manufactured DisplayPort cables. These cables were usually unbranded or not DisplayPort certified. To investigate this situation, VESA purchased several non-certified and unbranded cables available on the market and found that many of these cables were incorrectly configured and did not support all system configurations. Moreover, some of these cables that fail the DisplayPort certification test can damage your computer or monitor. There is no such problem with cables with known brands or DisplayPort certificates.
