DisplayPort 1.4 will let devices output to 8K via USB-C

The VESA standards body has finalized the specification for the DisplayPort 1.4 standard. The latest version, announced roughly 18 months after its predecessor, includes a number of noteworthy features and specifications that may lead some to skip DisplayPort 1.3 entirely. The most highlighted feature making it to the newest version is the support for VESA's Display Stream Compression (DSC) technology.

Vesa, a non-profit corporation that oversees various standards for computer graphics, says that it is pushing the capabilities of DisplayPort further.

Many believe that HDR (High Dynamic Resolution), a technology that focuses more on extending the total range of pixels as opposed to packing in more pixels, will drive how TV shows and movies are distributed in the coming years. Initially introduced as a new external interface, its flexibility has enabled its adaptation to embedded displays and incorporation into other connectors like the new reversible USB Type-C™ interface and Thunderbolt™. The new standard takes advantage of new features and supports higher resolution displays with faster refresh rates. The existing DisplayPort 1.3 standard can only support 60Hz 5K displays or 30Hz 8K displays over a single cable. The organisation claims that it allows for up to 3:1 compression of the video stream with membership testimonials referring to it as "visually lossless".

DP to HDMI 2.0a protocol conversion is catered for thanks to the HDR meta transport, with "secondary data packet" transport, inherent in the DisplayPort standard, supporting the CTA 861.3 standard.

This version has been design to allow for demands of high end sound and image quality using high-end electronic products.

Audio wise, the new DisplayPort standard will support up to 32 audio channels and an impressive 1,536kHz sample rate.

"New applications are demanding displays with better resolution, wider color gamut, and increased dynamic range", said VESA Board Chair Alan Kobayashi, in a statement.

Audio capabilities have also been expanded with DP 1.4. Consumers and others are also recognizing the value and ease-of-use associated with running multiple displays on one interface, which is another area we addressed in this new release with MST improvements.