Extending the Reach of Display Connectivity with DisplayPort 2.1b

Showcased at CES 2025, DisplayPort™ 2.1b introduced the DP80LL low-loss cable that featured three times more length than the previous passive DisplayPort 2.1 cables while sustaining 80Gbps bandwidth over the UHBR20 transmission mode. The new, active cable was designed to reduce signal attenuation. Enabling ultra-high bit rates across longer distances improved the versatility of the cable, opening up new possibilities for flexible workstation setups and VR/AR applications.

DisplayPort vs. HDMI 2.2

DisplayPort 2.1b is often viewed as the PC and gaming monitor counterpart to HDMI 2.2, which is more common in TVs and laptops. Since doubling bandwidth from 48Gbps in HDMI 2.1 to the present 96Gbps, HDMI 2.2 has surpassed DisplayPort 2.1b in terms of absolute bandwidth capacity. In fact, HDMI 2.2’s new capacity has led it to being known as the “Ultra96” cable that can theoretically support 8k, 10k, and 4k videos at up to 240Hz, 120Hz, and 480Hz respectively.

On the other hand, DisplayPort 2.1b focuses less on raw bandwidth increases and more on cable flexibility and ecosystem support, giving PC users, workstation professionals, and gamers room to optimize their setups. With both standards serving different demographics, analysts expect that the market will have sufficient space for both DisplayPort and HDMI to coexist for the foreseeable future.

Alt Mode v2.1a and the wider DisplayPort ecosystem

Related standards such as DisplayPort Alt Mode v2.1a complement the wider ecosystem by allowing signals to be carried over USB Type-C®, supporting video, charging, and data transfer through a single cable. Updates in this revision improve cable identification and interoperability, ensuring a smoother user experience across laptops, mobile devices, and docking stations.

To guarantee visual quality, VESA complements the bandwidth of DisplayPort with Thunderbolt™ and USB4® tunneling on top of other complementary VESA standards.

AdaptiveSync

Dynamically aligns a display’s refresh rate with GPU output, reducing tearing and stuttering, ensuring stable, artifact-free performance at ultra-high frame rates.

DisplayHDR™ and DisplayHDR True Black™

DisplayHDR™ and DisplayHDR True Black™ define open standards for HDR performance across LCD and emissive displays, guaranteeing brightness, contrast, and color accuracy at certified tiers.

ClearMR® 

ClearMR® provides a consistent metric for motion clarity, especially relevant as next-generation monitors push into 480Hz and beyond.

Market Position and Industry Collaboration

DisplayPort 2.1b’s advancements arrive at a pivotal moment as GPUs and displays race to support next-generation gaming and professional workflows. NVIDIA’s recent collaboration with VESA highlights the industry’s commitment to optimizing GPU compatibility with UHBR20 across DP80LL cables.

Moreover, DisplayPort's architecture supports multi-stream transport (MST), which allows multiple independent display outputs from a single physical interface—a feature particularly valued in competitive gaming, content creation, and enterprise workstation environments. The standard is also a preferred protocol for embedded and automotive displays, where compliance with functional safety standards and secure authentication across multiple display regions is critical.

Witness the future in high-definition

As DisplayPort continues to evolve alongside HDMI, ensuring robust implementation and interoperability across Alt Mode 2.1a, DisplayHDR, ClearMR, and AdaptiveSync is critical. Manufacturers need to validate not only link integrity, but also the end-to-end user experience.

At GRL, we provide comprehensive DisplayPort testing services covering signal integrity, protocol compliance, and interoperability for the most robust certification readiness. Leverage the GRL DisplayPort 2.1 Receiver Calibration and Test Automation Solution (GRL-DP21-SINK-AN) to validate your devices against the latest VESA standards. Get ready to reduce time-to-market and deliver superior end-user experiences.

To learn more about the latest DisplayPort Link Layer CTS v2.1 update alongside the whole other suite of VESA standards, be sure to visit our booth at the VESA 2025 Workshops (Taipei, Shenzhen, Seoul) happening from 17 to 31 October.