Comment by zaptheimpaler

21 hours ago

It's a blocker if you want to use a TV, there are almost 0 TVs with DP. This HDMI licensing crap is also the reason a Steam Deck can't output HDMI > 4K@60 unless you install Windows on it.

8 comments

zaptheimpaler

Reply
eru  20 hours ago

Aren't there some hardware dongles to translate from DP to HDMI?

  • sznio  13 hours ago

    DP is something like a free superset of HDMI, so you can use a fully passive DP-HDMI cable. Obviously the feature set will be limited, but it will work.

    DP however can't transfer audio, which doesn't matter for a desktop but matters a lot for a TV.

    • cesarb  11 hours ago

      > DP is something like a free superset of HDMI, so you can use a fully passive DP-HDMI cable.

      No, it's not, the protocol is completely different (DP is packet-based while HDMI traditionally was not, though AFAIK HDMI 2.1 copied DP's approach for its higher speed modes). When you use a passive DP-HDMI cable (which AFAIK is not fully passive, it has level shifters since the voltages are different), it works only because the graphics card detects it and switches to using the HDMI protocol on that port; if it's not a dual-mode port (aka "DP++" port) it won't work and you'll need an active DP-HDMI adapter.

      > DP however can't transfer audio, which doesn't matter for a desktop but matters a lot for a TV.

      On the desktop I'm using to type this message, I use the speakers built into the DP-connected monitor (a Dell E2222HS). So yes, DP can and does transfer audio just fine. If it couldn't, then active DP to HDMI adapters wouldn't be able to transfer audio too.

      The only thing DP doesn't have AFAIK is ARC, which might matter for a few more exotic TV use cases, and HEC, which AFAIK nobody uses.