DisplayPort 2.0 cables get labels indicating bandwidth

Standardization organization VESA has started certifying equipment and cables for DisplayPort UHBR, or Ultra-high Bit Rate. It is part of the DisplayPort 2.0 standard. Cables are given labels that indicate what bandwidth they support.

There will be DP40 and DP80 cables, which support bit rates of up to 40Gbit/s and 80Gbit/s. The DP40 cables must support the UHBR10 link rate on four lanes. The DP80 cables must comply with the UHBR20 link rate specification of 20 Gbit/s, also with four lanes. The DP80 cables will also receive support for the UHBR13.5 link rate of 13.5GBit/s, which is also part of the DisplayPort 2.0 standard.

The new DisplayPort cables will be available in both a full-size connection and a mini version. The cables are compatible with older DisplayPort standards and link rates. To use DisplayPort 2.0 over USB4’s DisplayPort Alt Mode, full-feature passive USB-C cables can be used. Certified USB-C to DisplayPort adapter cables with UHBR certification are also coming soon, according to VESA.

The hardware and cable manufacturers are currently having their equipment tested to obtain certificates, VESA reports. This concerns ‘multiple products’, including video cards, monitors and cables. The organization expects that the certification will be completed quickly. The first certified cables from Accell, BizLink and WIZEN are already in production. Monitors and video cards should follow soon, but details are not yet known.

UHBR is part of DisplayPort 2.0 and that is the successor of the currently common DisplayPort 1.4. With the new standard, the bandwidth will increase from a maximum of 32.4 Gbit/s to a maximum of 80 Gbit/s. This makes it possible to control an 8k screen at 60Hz with HDR or a 4k screen at 240Hz with HDR. Two 4k screens at 120Hz with HDR or four 4k monitors at 60Hz with HDR via a single DP80 cable are also possible.