VESA will certify and mark DisplayPort 2.0 cables to avoid problems with HDMI 2.1

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DisplayPort 2.0 has been delayed for months due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, but it is finally starting to hit the world. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has announced the launch of the DisplayPort UHBR certification program to ensure users can tell if a cable or device supports the new standard.

VESA said that through the DisplayPort UHBR certification program, device and cable manufacturers can send new products to DisplayPort Authorized Test Centers (ATCs) for testing and certification. Several products are currently being tested, and early certification should be completed soon.

VESA certified DP40 and DP80 UHBR cables guarantee display connectivity and operation at the highest performance levels introduced with DisplayPort 2.0.

Additionally, VESA has introduced new DP40 and DP80 UHBR certified cables to ensure DisplayPort 2.0 access requirements. The DP40 cable must support the UHBR10 link rate (40Gbps) defined by DisplayPort 2.0. The DP80 cable must support the UHBR20 link rate (80Gbps) defined by DisplayPort 2.0, and can also meet the requirements of the UHBR13.5 link rate (54Gbps). At present, the cables of many manufacturers are being certified, and it is expected to meet consumers soon.

DP40 and DP80 UHBR certified cables include full-size DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort products, and are fully backward compatible with previously defined and currently used DisplayPort link rate devices, including RBR, HBR, HBR2, and HBR3. For DisplayPort Alt Mode (DisplayPort over the USB Type-C connector), full-featured passive USB-C cables already support UHBR, and VESA-certified USB Type-C to DisplayPort cables will be available soon.

VESA hopes that this move will avoid the problems encountered with the HDMI 2.1 standard, and the label of a 24.5-inch display with a refresh rate of 240Hz from Xiaomi has been controversial. VESA’s approach is somewhat similar to USB-IF’s move last year, trying to clarify data transfer and charging speeds on USB-C cables, providing 40Gbps and 20Gbps logos for manufacturers to use on products and packaging.

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