The following appeared in the July 21, 2011 online edition of Global Sources:

Support for Embedded and Internal DisplayPort, DDM, Multistreaming and Higher Refresh Rate Boost the Standard’s Penetration Rate in Various Applications.

Taiwan suppliers are optimistic of increasing penetration of DisplayPort 1.2 in the panel and computer segments. Supporting embedded and internal DisplayPort and direct drive monitor or DDM specifications, the standard is expected to replace traditional interfaces in several applications. eDP, for instance, will displace LVDS in panels because of its better performance, enhanced integration capability and lower power consumption. Specially designed for internal displays such as netbooks, laptops, and tablet and all-in-one PCs, the former can also reduce wire count and power requirements, making it more environment-friendly and cost-efficient.

Intel’s chipsets with integrated graphics are equipped with eDP. The company said that by 2013, it will start phasing out LVDS in all graphics-based processors. AMD also continues to support DisplayPort and believes the trend for thinner and lighter platforms will boost penetration of eDP in the computer sector.

Supporters of DisplayPort and some brand PC makers such as Lenovo and Dell expect the standard to replace VGA and DVI in the near future. They project the migration could start in 2013 as many of today’s commercial applications still support analog output. For a smooth transition, backward compatibility with older versions is supported in DisplayPort.

DDM is another feature that drives the popularity of DisplayPort 1.2. Designed for slim and light monitors and utilizing a single port, it can decrease the complexity of connecting the TV panel timing controller with VGA and DVI ports. It can reduce the monitor thickness to less than 10mm. AU Optronics, one of Taiwan’s major panel makers, plans to introduce monitors based on this standard for the US or Europe market. The company believes DDM will simplify monitors in the future and meet requirements of thin and lightweight displays. It has produced a 21.4in DDM product and is currently working on 24in models.

The other attributes of DisplayPort 1.2, including multistreaming, better resolution and higher refresh rate for 3D, also stimulate demand. Discrete graphics cards, for instance, can take advantage of the Eyefinity multidisplay technology. DisplayPort 1.2 typically supports up to four monitors from a single connector. For graphics cards, it links six monitors with only two DisplayPort output.

Currently, there are more than 150 members of VESA (the author of the DisplayPort standard). They account for over 60 percent of the world’s desktop display shipments, 80 percent of large-area TFT-LCD volume and 90 percent of graphics chips. They also make up 60 percent of display controllers sold globally.