Why hdmi is better

Old computers can support only a bit color system, but an HDMI cable can support a bit color system and even double the shades. Skip to main content. Written by Tom Gorski.

Due to information overload Company About Blog Contact. Terms of Use Privacy Policy. Vendors Free Listing. Linkedin Twitter Facebook.

SlideShare AngelList. SaaS Vendors. VGA is an older standard that carries only a video signal. VGA cables were designed to carry only video signals from a device to a display. At the time they were first released , analog signals were the norm. When digital signals became more common, VGA cables were enhanced with converters to enable an analog-to-digital conversion.

However, newer display devices used digital signals, too, so the process became a two-step conversion from digital to analog and back to digital, with concurrent degradation of the signal. The analog signal would lose some information in the conversion to digital, and more information is lost when converted back to digital. In addition analog signals carry less information than digital, so the original image such a scenario starts out as less "sharp" than what can be achieved in digital.

The HDMI standard allows for the transfer of both digital video and audio signals via the same interface port and cable, capable of providing high-definition HD video at resolutions of 1, x 1, pixels and 8 audio channels simultaneously. Because it supports digital copy protection of all signals, HDMI cables are included for devices such as the Apple TV , Blu-Ray players, and game consoles , among other similar electronic products.

VGA cables are subject to crosstalk signal interference from other cables and length issues; for beyond about 4 feet, the analog video signal tends to break down. HDMI cables are less sensitive to crosstalk, but can suffer interference from electromagnetic fields. To avoid this issue in tight places with several cables, the best HDMI cables offer thick insulation.

However, most standard HDMI cables offer excellent connections and solid performance without the need for premium cables at premium prices. Input lag can refer to one of two things: the delay between a display device, such as a TV or monitor, receiving a signal and displaying it, or the delay between pressing a button in a video game and seeing the game execute the corresponding action.

Post-processing is similar to a Photoshop filter, in that it applies effects, such as depth of field, motion blur, and color correction. The VESA governing body defines the standards, and there's even a handy spreadsheet that spits out the actual timings for a given resolution. A x monitor at a 60 Hz refresh rate, for example, uses 2, pixels per horizontal line and 1, lines once all the timing stuff is added. That's because display blanking intervals need to be factored in.

These blanking intervals are partly a holdover from the analog CRT screen days, but the standards still include it even with digital displays. Using the VESA spreadsheet and running the calculations gives the following bandwidth requirements. Look at the following table and compare it with the first table; if the required data bandwidth is less than the max data rate that a standard supports, then the resolution can be used. The above figures are all uncompressed signals, however.

DisplayPort 1. In short, DSC helps overcome bandwidth limitations, which are becoming increasingly problematic as resolutions and refresh rates increase. For example, basic 24 bpp at 8K and 60 Hz needs It provides a "visually lossless" or nearly so, depending on what you're viewing result, particularly for video ie, movie signals.

Both HDMI and DisplayPort can also carry audio data, which requires bandwidth as well, though it's a minuscule amount compared to the video data. Earlier versions of each standard can use even less data for audio. Bandwidth isn't the only factor, but in general, the standard with a higher maximum bandwidth is 'better.

Currently DisplayPort 1. The DisplayPort 2. We also like the robust DisplayPort but not mini-DisplayPort connector, which has hooks that latch into place to keep cables secure.

It's a small thing, but we've definitely pulled loose more than a few HDMI cables by accident. One area where there has been some confusion is in regards to licensing and royaltees. DisplayPort was supposed to be a less expensive standard at least, that's how I recall it being proposed back in the day.

But today, both HDMI and DisplayPort have various associated brands, trademarks, and patents that have to be licensed. Because the standard has evolved over the years, not all DisplayPort cables will work properly at the latest speeds. The original Display 1. HBR3 with DisplayPort 1. Finally, with DisplayPort 2.

Officially, the maximum length of a DisplayPort cable is up to 3m 9. With a maximum data rate of Keep in mind that 4K HDR monitors running at Hz still cost a premium, so gamers will more likely be looking at something like a Hz display at p. That only requires 14;08 Gbps for bit color or If you're wondering about 8K content in the future, the reality is that even though it's doable right now via DSC and DisplayPort 1.

By the time 8K becomes a viable resolution, we'll have gone through a couple of more generations of GPUs. Updates to HDMI have kept the standard relevant for over 16 years. The earliest versions of HDMI have become outdated, but later versions have increased bandwidth and features.