DisplayPort to HDMI vs HDMI: Differences, Limits, & Best Choice

Choosing a display connection can be difficult, especially for laptops, TVs, and monitors today, because there are so many different port types to choose from, and most of them look almost identical. Often, the case is that two display connections are compared: DisplayPort (DP) to HDMI vs standard HDMI. Both types of connections can send audio and video, but they will perform differently and also have different compatibility and limitations depending on how they are used and their location.

Understanding DisplayPort to HDMI vs. HDMI will give you the opportunity to maximize your ability to achieve the best picture quality, smooth performance, and a working configuration (without additional issues) based on how you use your computer. So, in order to help you understand DisplayPort to HDMI vs. HDMI better, we will break down the real differences between the different types of connections, and give you the practical limitations and best use cases for selecting either DisplayPort to hdmi or standard hdmi based on your needs.

Understanding HDMI

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the most common display connection utilized throughout the world. You can see this connection in TVs, gaming consoles, projectors, streaming devices, and even most laptops. One of the major draws to HDMI is its simplicity, as it requires very little configuration, and one cable can carry audio and video at the same time.

As HDMI has evolved over the years, it has greatly expanded from what earlier versions could provide. While the earlier versions primarily included HD type resolutions, newer versions such as HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 are capable of delivering 4K and 8K video at high refresh rates. HDMI is purpose-built for consumer electronics, which has led to it being an incredibly simple form of connection for televisions and competing home entertainment product lines.

Though it is hard to find a device that uses HDMI as a way to connect, HDMI does have some limitations. Depending on the version utilized, the refresh rates and maximum resolutions are restricted. Older HDMI ports may run into compatibility issues with very high-refresh-rate gaming monitors or ultra-wide display monitors, as well as features such as adaptive sync, which are not universally supported on all HDMI versions.

What Is DisplayPort to HDMI?

Source: Vention

Commonly seen on desktops, workstations, and professional monitors, DisplayPort is another digital display standard created for computer use. It is easily expandable due to its being built around higher bandwidths and flexibility.

If your device has a DisplayPort output and the display input only supports HDMI, you will require an adapter or cable to convert the signal from DisplayPort to HDMI. What makes this a little interesting and confusing is that each type of adapter “may” perform differently, depending upon the type of DisplayPort output and quality of the adapter.

When comparing DisplayPort to hdmi vs hdmi, you will see that DisplayPort to HDMI includes some type of signal conversion, while HDMI will not have any additional limitations to its performance.

Key Technical Differences That Matter

At a fundamentally different level, DisplayPort and HDMI operate under different physical protocols. DisplayPort employs packet-based protocols (like USB and Ethernet), whereas HDMI uses a continuous stream of data. Because of this, DisplayPort offers more flexibility and scalability than HDMI when transmitting high-quality video images (resolution) at a high rate of refresh (hertz).

When converting a DisplayPort to HDMI vs. HDMI, conversion of the signal is necessary, which may limit performance when using some passive adapters. As an example, many passive DisplayPort to hdmi vs hdmi adapters only allow for up to 1080p or 4k at 30 hertz. There are more expensive active adapters that will support higher resolutions and refresh rates.

As such, the decision to use a DisplayPort to HDMI or the decision to utilize hdmi should not be looked at as merely a choice in cabling or adapters, but also a choice based on performance.

Resolution and Refresh Rate Limits

Source: Tom’s Hardware

The version of HDMI being used impacts its features. For example, HDMI 1.4 only supports 4K resolution at 30 Hertz, while HDMI 2.0 can do 4K at 60 Hz, and soon HDMI 2.1 will be able to do 4K at 120 Hz as well as even provide support for 8K. Most TVs use HDMI 2.0 or above, so HDMI is a good option for home entertainment setups.

DisplayPort typically has higher bandwidth support than HDMI. For example, DisplayPort 1.2 already supported 4K at 60 Hz when HDMI was still trying to match that. DisplayPort 1.4 and up can handle higher refresh rates and support additional features beyond what’s offered through HDMI.

Once you introduce adapters to convert between the two formats, however, they will often revert back down to either HDMI 1.4 or HDMI 2.0 standards. This means another step taken with conversion can result in a lower resolution than what is possible using DisplayPort on its own. If you choose DisplayPort or HDMI ultimately comes down to if you need maximum quality and performance or just compatibility to connect a device.

Audio Support and Multimedia Use

Source: SlashGear

HDMI is designed to support both video and audio together and supports surround-sound formats, Audio Return Channel (ARC), and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), so HDMI is usually the first choice for televisions, soundbars, and home entertainment systems.

DisplayPort can carry audio, too. Converting DisplayPort to HDMI vs. HDMI (using an adapter) may have compatibility issues depending on which adapter you use and its drivers. The majority of newer DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters work well, but you may have problems with older adapters or devices that are not compatible with your operating system.

If you’re using HDMI for streaming, watching movies, or other types of video (i.e., when you’re in a predominantly TV-viewing environment), you’re generally going to encounter fewer technical problems than if you were using DisplayPort to connect your video source to your TV.

Times When HDMI Is the Better Choice

If your device and screen have a direct connection to each other, HDMI is usually the best choice. Not only is it a straightforward option, but it is also less likely to cause any problems with compatibility and works better with TVs and audio systems.

HDMI is the most straightforward and enjoyable option when using it for home entertainment or presentations, or in general daily usage; often, when being used in the context of convenience as opposed to allowing each device to perform its maximum capabilities, it also generally goes in HDMI’s favour as opposed to using DisplayPort to HDMI.

Conclusion

There is no true ‘winner’ as this differs with each user’s equipment/situation. For example, if you were looking for a simple solution that would provide a product that is a good performer and is universally compatible across many different devices, it is hard to beat HDMI. On the other hand, if you are looking for maximum performance from your PC monitor, then using a native DisplayPort connection would be the best option for you. DisplayPort to hdmi would fall somewhere in the middle of being a practical workaround as opposed to a high-performance option.