DisplayPort is a digital audio/video interface used primarily for attaching external monitors to computers, though it can also be used to transmit audio, USB, and other forms of data.
DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). The interface is primarily used to connect a video source to a display device such as a computer monitor, though it can also be used to transmit audio, USB, and other forms of data.
The VESA specification is royalty-free. VESA designed it to replace VGA, DVI, and LVDS by creating a high performance standard. Backward compatibility to VGA and DVI by using adapter dongles enables consumers to use DisplayPort fitted video sources without replacing existing display devices. Although DisplayPort supports much of the same functionality as HDMI, it is expected to complement the interface, not replace it.
The DisplayPort signal is not compatible with DVI or HDMI. However, dual-mode DisplayPorts (marked with a ++DP logo) are designed to transmit a single-link DVI or HDMI protocol across the interface through the use of an external passive adapter that selects the desired signal and converts the electrical signalling from LVDS to TMDS. VGA and dual-link DVI, on the other hand, require active adapters to convert the protocol and signal to the desired output and do not require dual-mode DisplayPorts. VGA adapters are powered by the DisplayPort connector, while dual-link DVI adapters may rely on an external power source (see compatibility with HDMI, DVI and VGA).
In December 2010 it was announced that several computer vendors and display makers including Intel, AMD, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, and LG would begin phasing out support for LVDS, VGA, and DVI-I over the next few years, replacing them with developing technologies DisplayPort and HDMI.
