Both, HDMI and DisplayPort, are capable of sending high-definition video and audio from a selected source to a display unit.

HDMI

The High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was developed over 10 years ago.

HDMI connectors are manufactured in three different sizes: Standard HDMI, Mini HDMI and Micro HDMI. The standard HDMI cable is the most common HDMI connector found and is commonly referred to as Type A. All HDMI connectors have 19 pins within the connector.  The Standard HDMI is commonly found on televisions, laptops and projectors. The Mini HDMI is commonly found on tablets. The Micro HDMI is commonly found on smartphones.

Manufactures that include HDMI ports within their products must pay a royalty for each port.

The DisplayPort was developed in 2006. Manufacturers developed the DisplayPort to replace VGA and DVI which was mainly used for computer displays. DisplayPort’s does not contain a royalty fee for manufacturers.

Digital Differences

When we concentrate on the cables, we are able to see a distinct difference between HDMI and DisplayPort. HDMI does not define a specific maximum length but rather the performance that defines a cable length. There are many different ways you are able to run HDMI Signals: Cat5, Cat6,coaxial or fibre cable. HDBase-T can also be used to extend HDMI up to 100m.

DisplayPort, like HDMI, can carry multichannel digital audio. However, DisplayPort can not carry Ethernet and the standard cable does not have an audio return, whereas HDMI does. A DisplayPort cable supports extremely high data rates over a longer length with a 1080p resolution. You can connect DisplayPort source to a VGA, a single-link DVI or HDMI with simple adapters. HDMI cannot connect to DisplayPort Input ports without expensive scalers and signal processors.

HDMI can only connect to one display due to it being able to handle a single video and audio stream. DisplayPort allows for one output port to connect to four daisy chain compatible displays.

HDMI was originally designed for consumer-electronics. applications. DisplayPort was initially designed to be the ultimate display interface for computers, thus complimenting HDMI rather than replacing it. The fact that DisplayPort can support multiple displays and connect to almost any other type of monitor with adapters gives it greater flexibility that HDMI.

Contact AVC for any audio visual cabling requirements

For more information on HDMI visit: https://www.hdmi.org/

Angela Brengosz

Angela is based at Head Office in Johannesburg.