HDMI 2.1 controversy DP 2.0 lesson learned: Cables need to be certified.

Remember the recent controversy over the HDMI 2.1 standard? HDMI 2.1 is either true or false due to the incomprehensible operation of HDMI officials, confusing consumer perceptions. Fortunately, VESA has learned its lesson this time and has to certify and label DP 2.0 cables, so that different rates of cables are readily available. The DP 2.0 standard was announced back in 2019. The new standard increases the theoretical bandwidth to 80Gbps and uses a new encoding mechanism, 128/132b, which increases the efficiency to 97%.

The actual availability of up to 77.4Gbps, equivalent to a full three times DP 1.3/1.4, far more than the theoretical bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 48Gbps.

However, in terms of data lines, DP 2.0 also has three different mechanisms. The bandwidth of each channel is set at 10Gbps, 13.5Gbps and 20Gbps, which VESA calls “UHBR/Ultra High Bit Rate”. They are called UHBR 10, UHBR 13.5 and UHBR 20 according to the bandwidth.

The original bandwidth of UHBR 10 is 40Gbps, and the effective bandwidth is 38.69Gbps. Passive copper wire is enough. The previous DP 8K wire certification project actually includes it, that is, DP data wire that has passed the 8K certification meets the signal integrity requirements of UHBR 10.

UHBR 13.5, UHBR 20 is different, the original bandwidth 54Gbps, 80Gbps, effective bandwidth 52.22Gbps, 77.37Gbps, passive wire can only be used for very short distance transmission, such as laptop expansion docking, longer need active wire, that is, implanted with the corresponding control and amplification chip.

Because of this standard, DP 2.0 cables are actually differentiated, and VESA has now finally decided to certify the different cables so that they can be differentiated.

Specifically, DP 2.0 cables come in two standards depending on the speed. DP40 cables support the UHBR10 standard of 10Gbps per channel in each of the four internal channels, for a total speed of 40Gbps.

Cables labeled DP80 are UHR20 20Gbps per channel with speeds up to 80Gbps.

DP40, DP80 cable so there is a clear distinction, not easy to confuse, manufacturers want to fish in troubled waters is not possible, this is really a good thing.

VESA revealed that DP40 and DP80 standard DP lines and MINI DP lines have started production, and the first batch of displays and other equipment have also passed the certification.