VESA Unveils DisplayPort Standard’s CE Convergence Roadmap: Features Seamless Connectivity for TVs, Monitors, Projectors

-- VESA Set to Launch DisplayPort Compliance and Interoperability Program --

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Jan. 9, 2007 — The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today unveiled a new roadmap for display connectivity convergence with DisplayPort^TM 1.1 at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show. Version1.1 of the DisplayPort standard is currently being reviewed by the VESA membership and is expected to be voted on later this month.

The convergence roadmap outlines plans to provide seamless connectivity with new and existing TVs, monitors and projectors via a USB-sized DisplayPort connector. DisplayPort is designed to replace DVI, LVDS and eventually VGA, making digital display connections easier, more readily available and more functional.

VESA announced that it is developing a DisplayPort Interoperability Guideline that recommends how best to provide DisplayPort, DVI and HDMI connectivity for consumer PCs via the DisplayPort connector and simple cable adapters. The Interoperability Guideline will describe how DisplayPort products may be designed to enable full compatibility with HDMI products, providing a clear blueprint for display connectivity convergence within the home.

DisplayPort 1.1 adds capabilities to support High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) for viewing protected content such as high definition movies on optical media. HDCP version 1.3 for DisplayPort will be provided by the Digital Content Protection (DCP) LLC. This version, expected to be finalized in early 2007, will allow products supporting either DVI or HDMI, and DisplayPort, to share a common encryption key set.

The new DisplayPort standard offers higher performance than DVI or LVDS, and enables a new class of “direct drive” monitors for improved ease-of-use and an enhanced viewing experience relative to VGA. DisplayPort’s innovative architecture also will serve as the foundation for development of new display applications through future versions of the DisplayPort standard.

In addition, VESA is launching a compliance and interoperability program for DisplayPort connectors, cables and devices. The VESA program will ensure functional compatibility between products that carry the DisplayPort logo.

About DisplayPort

DisplayPort is a digital display interface specification for broad application in computer monitors, TV displays, projectors, PCs and other sources of image content. It is designed to accelerate the adoption of protected digital outputs on PCs to support the viewing of high definition and other types of protected content through an optional content protection capability, while enabling higher levels of display performance.

About VESA

The Video Electronics Standards Association is a worldwide organization with more than 150 member companies that promotes and develops timely, relevant, open display and display interface standards, ensuring interoperability, and encouraging innovation and market growth. Administration of the DisplayPort standard by VESA is designed to ensure that the specification is maintained and will provide a forum for future revisions. For more information, visit www.vesa.org.

Company Quotes

AMD

“AMD played an integral role in developing DisplayPort specification from its inception and we're glad to see it to fruition,” said Phil Hester, chief technical officer of AMD. “It's a technology that fits perfectly with future desktop and notebook PCs, while maintaining interoperability with existing monitors and CE devices.”

Dell

“DisplayPort is a significant development for the industry. By offering display interoperability between PC and CE products, customers will find digital displays much easier to use and more affordable,”  said Kevin Kettler, Dell’s chief technology officer. “The VESA DisplayPort program is a prime example of how an industry can work together to create an extensible, open standard that directly meets our customers’ needs.”

Genesis

“Genesis believes that DisplayPort enables a revolutionary new level of digital performance and scalability for graphics and video, with higher resolutions, refresh rates and color depth,” said Alan Kobayashi, director of Strategy and Architecture, Genesis Microchip. “In addition, DisplayPort uses proven digital components that manufacturers can easily incorporate into their products, adding functionality while simultaneously simplifying the electronics in both the source and display.”

Hewlett-Packard

“HP is very pleased to have virtually all the leaders of the PC industry on board and working together in supporting a common standard for our all-digital future,” said Phil McKinney, Chief Technical Officer of HP’s Personal Systems Group.  

Intel

“DisplayPort is a key technology for Intel and our customers. We’ve made significant contributions to the DisplayPort 1.1 specification and Interoperability Guideline to enable a great digital convergence solution for consumers”  said Brendan Traw, Intel’s Chief Technology Officer for the Digital Home Group.  “Using HDCP as the same content protection scheme for HDMI and DisplayPort 1.1 makes for a better user experience and easier implementation”

Lenovo

“DisplayPort will change the home digital experience for consumers by allowing seamless operability between PCs and TVs,” said George He, senior vice president and chief technology officer, Lenovo. “The new connector will replace the current PC-specific VGA and TV-optimized HDMI/DVI connector. For consumers, this means the ability to watch HD video on their TV from their PC.”

NVIDIA

"NVIDIA is working with our OEM partners to define and support this major initiative to promote display compatibility in the PC industry," said Tony Tamasi, vice president of technical marketing at NVIDIA. "The DisplayPort common display interface standard will enable lower cost, higher performance and a better user experience for end users."

Samsung

“DisplayPort provides an all-encompassing interface solution with the bandwidth and flexibility to support display applications from value monitors to high-resolution flat panel displays.  Samsung intends to be among the first to support customer requests for display products conforming to this broad new standard,” said Brian Berkeley, Vice President of Advanced Technology for Samsung’s LCD Business.