DisplayPort or HDMI. What is the verdict

So I decided to purchase a Sager rather than buy a PS4 (very happy with my decision). Now I am trying to configure my set-up for when I want to connect my laptop to my living room TV (Samsung LED Series 4).

However, I am little confused to as what is the best connection. There is a lot of contradictory info on the interweb.

For example, I have read that DisplayPort offers higher refresh rates when compared to HDMI and it also displays higher FPS

HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. DVI vs. VGA: Which connection to choose? | TV and Home Theater - CNET Reviews

Conversely, I read that HDMI is superior (no info to back up their claim though)

How to connect your laptop to a TV | Digital Trends

Could someone throw some knowledge at me? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Since few TV's actually have a displayport what do you use to connect a displayport from your laptop (just an HDMI adapter?)?

Also, I read that HDMI 2.0 will be coming out soon, which based on some unverified specs will be on par with Displayport. Not sure if this true.

I searched the forum for post of this nature but a lot of them seem fairly outdated. Curious to what people's current thoughts are.

 

It doesn't matter.

Use HDMI, because it's a nearly universal connection type, with cables that you can buy cheaply and easily from just about anywhere. If you need to buy an HDMI cable, buy one for a few bucks from Monoprice.com. If you want a "nicer" HDMI cable, buy one of the super-slim RedMere HDMI cables from Monoprice.com



The reason it doesn't matter is because you're outputting to a 1920 x 1080 (1080p) HDTV at 60Hz. Any of the digital connection types (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI) are all capable of outputting 1080p/60Hz. DisplayPort and DVI (specifically Dual-Link DVI or DL-DVI) are useful when you are outputting to higher resolution computer monitors, like a 2560x1440 27" monitor or a 2560x1600 30" monitor.

I wouldn't worry about future specs like HDMI 2.0 or 4K resolution displays. It will be several years before those start playing a major role in computers. Just buy a $4 HDMI cable (or $9 RedMere HDMI cable), and call it a day.

 

All right that makes sense. I was reading threads on here suggesting displayport, but now that I think about it, it was probably in the context of a 120Hz monitor. Thanks for the info. I have a ton of extra HDMI cables laying around

Just out of curiosity if I were to get a 120Hz or a super Hi-Res monitor would I need a DisplayPort or DVI connection to take advantage of the higher refresh rates and increased resolution or would HDMI still suffice?

 

Depends on the monitor, but dual link dvi or displayport is the safe bet. Actually, displayport is the safest bet ~~.

 

So it is possible to increase the refresh rate above 60Hz and res above 1080 with HDMI?

Why is not considered safe?

Not trying to pain in the... just genuinely curious

 

I have no problems with DVI or displayport. I'm having issues with HDMI. The screen blacks out intermittently (google it, several have problems with it) for a couple seconds. I'm ditching HDMI on my next graphics card upgrade. Go with displayport! Less risk, less hassle.

 

Yes ish, it's much less obvious if your HDMI is the right standard and it's never as clear cut.

1080p 60hz is fine for HDMI, i'd avoid it for anything higher.

 

It all depends on the HDMI spec. HDMI is primarily a home theatre / HDTV connector type. So nothing has really pushed it to go beyond 1080p/60Hz. Most implementations of HDMI out there max out at 1080p/60Hz for this reason.

The HDMI spec itself is evolving to support higher bandwidth, which allows for higher resolutions and refresh rates. However, these newer HDMI revision specs are not widely supported, because the home theatre is still primarily stuck at 1080p/60Hz.

Down the road, HDMI will eventually evolve and gain adoption for things like 4K displays, true 120Hz displays, etc. HDMI 2.0 is one giant step towards that direction. But again, you're not going to see HDMI 2.0 outside of a test lab, because there are very few 4K displays and practically no 4K content.

That is why people have given you the advice they have.

* If you're dealing with a 1080p/60Hz HDTV display, just use HDMI. It's easy and widely available. Every HDTV supports it.
* If you need to output to higher-than-1080p/1200p computer monitors, use DisplayPort. It's the most readily-available connector type for >1200p computer displays, and has the necessary bandwidth to push that. Every >1200p computer display supports DisplayPort.

* If you're speculating about future technologies like HDMI 2.0, 120Hz displays, 4K displays, etc... don't worry about it too much. Wait for those standards to arrive first in commercially-available products. The industry will take care of itself, and make sure that the correct cables and connectors are available to use those better display technologies.

 

I love this place. Thanks for the insight.

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