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There are a lot of connectors that can be used to interface monitors with PCs and laptops. The most common are HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort. Now that the era of 720p desktops is coming to an end, the world moves on from the outdated VGA connector. This leads us to the more modern HDMI and DisplayPort connectors. Let’s understand what they are and how they can be used to get the best out of our PC.
HDMI
The HDMI connector is a well-known name in the PC sphere. It stands for High Definition Media Standard. It’s not only a name but also a standard. It is a standard for transmitting digital audio and video from a source. They allow us to transmit high-resolution audio and video. It was developed by multiple companies on April 2002. And since then, it’s been the leading industry standard ever since. It supports up to 8K 60FPS transmission with HDMI 2.0 and is a reliable way of transmitting video content. Here is a list of refresh rates and Resolutions supported by various versions of HDMI.
- HDMI 1.4: supports 1080p video at a maximum refresh rate of 30Hz.
- HDMI 2.0: supports 4K video at a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz.
- HDMI 2.1: supports 8K video at a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz or 4K video at a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is another type of connector developed by a combination of multiple organizations. They are all under the umbrella of VESA. VESA stands for Video Electronics and Standard Association. It was designed on May 2006 and production started in 2008. Here is a list of various resolutions and refresh rates supported by various DisplayPort versions. The maximum refresh rate and resolution depend on the version of DisplayPort being used.
DisplayPort 1.1
- This version supports resolutions up to 2560x1600 at a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz.
DisplayPort 1.2
- This version supports resolutions up to 3840x2160 (4K) at a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz.
DisplayPort 1.3 and 1.4
- These versions support resolutions up to 8K (7680x4320) at the greatest refresh rate of 60Hz with HDR support. They also support 4K (4096 x 2160) at a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz
DisplayPort 2.0
- This version supports resolutions up to 16K (15360x8640) at a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz with HDR support.
It is worth noting that DisplayPort 2.0 was announced in 2019. Not all devices or monitors support this version yet. It may take some time before it becomes widely adopted.
DisplayPort to HDMI converter
It is possible to convert DisplayPort to HDMI. It can be done using an active adapter. An active adapter is an adapter that includes an integrated chip that performs the conversion. This type of adapter will have a DisplayPort Connector on one end and an HDMI connector on the other. This way, you can connect a device with a DisplayPort output to a display that only has an HDMI input.
HDMI to DisplayPort Converter
Much like DisplayPort to HDMI, we can convert HDMI to DisplayPort signals. This can also be done by using an active adapter or converter. Active Converter Converts signal and provides power. Also, there are passive converters that just convert the signal and do not provide power.
Some Converters also have an inbuilt scalar that can convert the resolution to correspond with the native resolution of the monitor.
Additionally, some of the HDMI to Display Port Converters come equipped with additional functions. These include support for audio and multiple monitors, as well as compatibility for high resolution and refresh rates.
These all mention converters will allow multiple HDMI displays to a single DisplayPort Output on your computer.
Why Convert and Problems That Arise with Conversion
There can be multiple reasons why you’d want to convert DisplayPort to HDMI and vice versa. One of them is compatibility. If your PC, or laptop or game console only has HDMI ports and your monitor or display only has DP ports, it's a good idea to get a converter.
An HDMI to DisplayPort converter, in general, is a tool that can be beneficial for bridging the gap between various devices and ensuring compatibility with a broad variety of monitors and displays.
An active HDMI to DisplayPort converter can convert the signal and make it possible to use a high-resolution display when using a device with a high-resolution display that is not supported by the native HDMI output of the device. This is also the case when using a device with a high-resolution display that is not supported by the native HDMI output of the device.
However, since they are different standards, problems might arise while trying to do so. Some of the major problems are
- Compatibility issues: Some active adapters may not be compatible with all devices. So it's important to check that the adapter you're using is compatible with your source device.
- Audio Transmission: Audio transmission might be an issue for you. This is because, while most active adapters will transmit a video signal, not all of them will transmit audio. Therefore, you'll need to check if your converter supports audio transmission. If not, you’re better off looking for one that does.
- Resolution and Refresh Rate Limitations: If you take a look at the above spec sheet for HDMI and DP, you’ll see that there’s a lot that goes into refresh rates and resolution. It depends on the version of the wire to the version of the port. Some active adapters may have limitations on the resolutions and refresh rates they can support. Therefore, it's important to check that the adapter you're using supports the resolution and refresh rate you’re trying to get.
- Power Supply: Some active adapters require an external power supply. So, you'll need to check if your adapter requires a power source and that you have one available.
- Color Depth: Some active adapters might not support the full-color depth that your display supports. So, you'll need to check if the adapter you're using supports the same color depth as your display.
- Quality of the signal: While most active adapters work fine, some lower-quality ones may introduce some degradation in the signal. This might result in a depleted signal quality and present a problem for the user.
- Bandwidth limitations: While DP and HDMI are capable of transmitting high resolutions, the available bandwidth might be limited in some cases. This might affect the overall quality of the signal. Especially if you are trying to transmit high high-resolution and high refresh-rate videos.
To avoid any potential problems, it's recommended to check for compatibility before buying an active adapter. While there are some problems, they can be fixed with a simple power cycle. But make sure that you check compatibility before you buy anything.
Conclusion
We can confidently say that conversion to an HDMI to DisplayPort is possible. And while it is fairly uncomplicated and easy to work with, some problems might arise. It’s good practice to do your research on compatibility and make sure that everything will work well. This prevents buyer's remorse in the future.
Article by : Adamya Neupane
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