Compare DisplayPort 1.2 vs DisplayPort 1.4

Newer computers and tablets that use USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 connections can be a hassle when finding connections that are compatible with those devices. Most of us will go out and buy adapters/hubs that allow us to connect older USB-A devices, ethernet, SD cards, and most importantly; ones that will allow for clear, stable, and fast video output to our TVs, Monitors, and external displays.

Recently video output was limited to 4k@30Hz on most adapters, because they were effectively using the power from the USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 connection, and splitting that signal amongst all the hubs ports. 

 Well, on newer devices such as the iPad Pro 3rd/4th generation models, as well as the 16in MacBook Pro (which released in late 2019), there is a new display protocol called DP1.4 which will allow for the displays connected to the hub to perform at a higher refresh and video quality rate.

Currently, this protocol is only available on certain devices, but here at Satechi, we are releasing newly updated hubs that will incorporate these features to allow these new standards to enrich your experience with higher video, audio, and resolution at 4K@60Hz.

This protocol is still backwards compatible with the previous 2.1 standard. DisplayPort 1.2 originally offered a maximum total bandwidth of 21.6 Gbps over its four lanes and a maximum total data rate of 17.28 Gbps. In comparison, DisplayPort 1.4 has the same four-lane structure but expands the maximum total bandwidth to 32.40 Gbps, and the maximum total data rate to 25.92 Gbps. This will be KEY for higher audio, resolution, and refresh rates.

• Display Stream Compression (DSC) - is a visually lossless encoding technique, DSC is a fantastic way to get more for your cabling, which will allow 30-bit/px color and HDR-enabled, or 8K at up to 60Hz. (HDR was not previously supported)

• Support for Dual-mode for DVI and HDMI adapters, making it possible to connect a DisplayPort 1.4 device to an HDMI 2.0 source, or vice versa. It also includes better support for HDR10 metadata and forward error correction for a noiseless transmission. (Clearer picture with less static and video encoding interference)

• Audio upgrades, where it moved from a maximum audio sample rate of 768kHz to 1,536kHz. It also increased the maximum number of audio channels from 8 to 32. (Clearer audio with more surround sound audio capabilities)