With innovation in technology, advancement in hardware capabilities, and upgraded software, video streaming has now moved from 144p to 8K resolution and much higher frame rates. Additionally, DisplayPort is one such invention that was only used for video transmission, leaving behind a curiosity does DisplayPort carry sound? If so, how do I enable DisplayPort audio? Continue reading to find out!
Does DisplayPort Carry Audio?
A DisplayPort was designed to carry both video and audio data packet transmission not in integrated form but separately as well, without needing the installation of any adapter. Thus, the versatility and capability of a DisplayPort made it effectively useful.
Yes, a DisplayPort supports audio in multiple channels to audio devices or a monitor.
Functions of a DisplayPort
Let us know what a DisplayPort is and the purpose behind manufacturing it.
- A DisplayPort is a connector pin, like the ethernet port or the HDMI port, developed in 2006 by Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) as a digital interface standard for high-end audio and video transmission in displays like a monitor or a projector.
- The prime motive was to replace VGA or Video Graphics Array and Digital Visual Interface (DVI).
- Standard DisplayPort connectors (full-size connectors) are manufactured with 20 pins fitted together into an L-shaped hub.
- The technology behind a DisplayPort was the transmission of data in small packetized form, inspired by the fundamentals behind Ethernet and USB. This ultimately results in the transmission of higher resolution data with more frames and at a high rate from one end of the device, be it a desktop, a laptop, or an external graphics card to the other output device.
It was a big step forward in terms of video and audio support with targeting dynamics like video resolution, bandwidth and speed, audio signals, better frame rate, and refresh rates.
Must Read: Types of Video Card Connector Explained
Does DisplayPort Carry Power?
To understand this, let’s recall that DisplayPort was primarily designed as a video-audio transfer interface and not as a power adapter. The 20th pin of the DisplayPort carries merely a 3.3V 500mA of power to instantly charge and push electrons around and enable the transfer of data via the cable or adapter when connected to it.
The pin completes the connection between devices and supplies power to Active cables using an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signalling) protocol. It does not charge devices that require more voltage to run. To bring enough power to devices, the adapters have a power cable that carries quite huge a voltage as compared to the DP.
All Versions of Display Port Launched
Moreover, over the years both video and audio transmission support and quality have improved as well with each generation.
- DisplayPort 1.0 and 1.1 supported a maximum sample audio rate of 192kHz, HBR of 8.64 Gbps or RBR of 5.18Gbps and size of 24 bits with 8 audio channels.
- With DP 1.2 and 1.2a, the sample rate increased to 768kHz and could support 8K@60Hz with UHBR of 77.36 Gbps. However, the size and number of channels remained the same.
- DP 1.3 offered no improvements in audio specifications.
- DisplayPort 1.4 took a major leap with the sample rate increased to 1536kHz and supported audio channels now being 32 in number. DP 1.4 is the most used port that supports most major hardware systems, i.e., PCs and graphics cards. However, it still is superior to HDMI 1.4 in almost every major specification.
Presently there are other iterations of DisplayPort cables as well with one side of the cable with DP connectors and the other side with a DP or a mini-DP or an HDMI PORT or a USB type-C port attached to it.
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Enable Audio Transmission Through DisplayPort
Many users get the idea of using a DisplayPort both for their video and audio requirements, but demand an answer to the question of How do I enable DisplayPort audio? DP audio is firstly dependent on the system it is connected to, be it a monitor or a laptop, or a graphics card.
If the system supports DP audio, the built-in speakers will stream audio through a DisplayPort cable. There is no need to install special drivers or adapters to run the DisplayPort into action. The convenience for DP lies in its plug-and-play feature from one device to the other.
Fix Audio Transmission Through DisplayPort
If you still face problems with audio playback after plugging in the DisplayPort cable, it could be due to:
- Auto-change in default playback device: Sometimes after plugging a DP cable into the system, Windows automatically changes the audio output from speakers to DP assuming it to be an external audio device. Once you change that back to speakers, the playback will be audible.
- Refresh rate: Sometimes there persists an issue of inconsistent audio with monitors at a high refresh rate with DP enabled. You can try reducing the refresh rate of the desktop very minimally. This might solve the issue and practically confirm whether or not does DisplayPort carry sound.
Also Read: Fix 144Hz Not Showing Up in Windows 10 Monitor
Can I Connect a GPU to my Monitor with a DisplayPort Cable?
If your monitor does not have a DisplayPort, you can still connect it to a graphics card using a DP cable. But does DisplayPort carry USB? Yes, you can connect a GPU to the monitor with a DP.
DP over USB-C is a cable that has a DisplayPort adapter at one end and on the other end is a USB-C adapter, called DisplayPort Alt Mode for USB type-c. It is a VESA standard and certified interface where features of the generation of DisplayPort used it followed.
There are multiple functions of DP over USB-C as well –
- While it was a confusing assumption made as to does DisplayPort carry power, with the integration of USB-C, this became possible enough to carry power up to 100 watts, which makes it convenient for modern slimmer devices like Laptops or Notebooks.
- DisplayPort over USB-C allows transmitting video in 4K at 60Hz, 5K, and 8K resolutions at 60Hz supporting DSC.
Also Read: How to Connect Samsung Phone to TV with HDMI
Should I Choose DisplayPort or HDMI for Gaming?
1. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
HDMI is an interface defined by a non-locking connector system of 19 pins, currently available in three – Standard Type-A, Mini Type-C, and Micro Type-D sizes. HDMI generations have advanced with time over generations from the support of 4K@30Hz and bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps in HDMI 1.4 to HDR 10K@120Hz with DSC in a bandwidth of 48.0 Gbps in HDMI 2.1.
2. DisplayPort
A DisplayPort is a standard port with a locking system of 20 connector pins. These are available in two sizes – Standard DP and Mini-DP. The latest DP 2.1 favours a resolution of 8K@60Hz in 10-bit HDR without DSC in a bandwidth that allows max transmission rate to 80.0 Gbps.
Advantages of DisplayPort for Gaming
The advantages of DisplayPort for gaming are as follows:
- A DisplayPort cable is compatible to be used in most graphic cards and gaming PCs. Moreover, the reason I say that is DP’s high-caliber bandwidth and data rate.
- Another advantage of DisplayPort is the support for AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. Despite that AMD FreeSync is available in most of the monitors that support HDMI, the devices that support HDMI 2.1 and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility are limited to TVs. Picking up one of HDMI vs DisplayPort gaming here ultimately depends on the compatibility of the hardware chosen, i.e., display and GPU. But as DisplayPort is compatible with both, it has a lead.
- Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) and Multi-Stream Transport (MST), are its other advantages.
Recommended DisplayPort Cables for Gaming
The recommended DisplayPort for gaming are Furui DisplayPort 2.0 cable and Capshi DisplayPort 1.4 cable. Read about the Best DisplayPort Cables for Gaming here.
We hope that this document could guide you on does DisplayPort carry audio, does DisplayPort carry power and HDMI vs DisplayPort gaming. If you have any queries or suggestions then feel free to drop them in the comments section below.