New eDP Spec Allows for 8K panels @ 60Hz / 4K @120Hz

VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) published a new spec today, Embedded Display Port Standard 1.4a, which enables higher video data transfer rate for increased panel resolution, greater color depth and higher refresh rates operating at 8.1GB/s per lane with 2 or 4 screen segments, up to 8K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz.

http://www.vesa.org/featured-articles/vesa-publishes-embedded-displayport-edp-standard-version-1-4a/

"NEWARK, CA – February 9, 2015 – The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) today published the Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) Standard version 1.4a. Replacing eDP v1.4, published in February 2013, eDP 1.4a enables a higher video data transfer rate for increased panel resolution, greater color depth and higher refresh rates. It also incorporates the VESA Display Stream Compression (DSC) Standard v1.1, and includes a new segmented panel architecture that enables higher panel integration. These and other refinements were made to the eDP 1.4a standard to take advantage of higher GPU video performance and newer display technologies, while also enabling reduced system power and form factor.

The eDP v1.4a standard leverages the VESA DisplayPort (DP) Standard v1.3, published in September 2014, as a base specification. That standard’s new higher HBR3 link rate, which operates at 8.1 Gbps per lane, is now also part of eDP v1.4a. With both HBR3 and the DSC v1.1 standard included, the latest eDP standard can support embedded panels with up to 8K resolution. For embedded display applications, DSC is most often used to decrease video interface data rate or wire count, as well as reduce display frame buffer size, thereby reducing system power usage to extend battery life. It also enables reductions in system complexity and form factor.

An entirely new feature in eDP v1.4a is “Multi-SST Operation,” or MSO, which supports a new type of display architecture that VESA calls “Segmented Panel Display.” Segmented Panel Display is designed to enable thinner, lighter and lower-cost panels that use less power. In operation, MSO allows the four high-speed eDP data lanes within the eDP interface to be divided up between either two or four independent panel segments. For lower resolutions, two lanes can be used to support two panel segments. This panel segmentation enables a higher level of integration on high-resolution displays; each segment can contain a separate timing controller with integrated source drivers.

According to Vice President Bong-Hyun You of Samsung Display Co., Ltd., “The Multi-SST Architecture enables greater design flexibility and power savings in new LCD panel technologies for embedded high resolution displays. Samsung proposed this feature in order to permit panel makers to make even broader usage of the eDP interface in advanced panels, as well as reduce panel thickness, reduce power draw, and reduce cost.”
eDP 1.4a also includes refinements to the partial update capability for Panel Self Refresh (PSR) that was introduced in eDP 1.4. Partial update enables the system video processor, or GPU, to update only the portion of the display that has changed since the video frame update, further saving system power.

According to Craig Wiley, senior director of marketing at Parade Technologies, VESA board member, and editor for eDP 1.4a, “The adoption of eDP for embedded displays is now positioned for growth as eDP 1.4a has become highly optimized, especially at resolutions above quad HD. Compared to other embedded interfaces, it has the richest feature set along with the lowest power, wire count and EMI radiation, particularly when used with high-resolution panels. It will continue to evolve, along with DisplayPort, but with its own unique features specifically optimized for embedded applications such as all-in-one PCs, notebooks, tablets and smart phones.”

It is anticipated that eDP 1.4a will be used within systems by 2016. The eDP v1.4a Standard is available to VESA members."

 

8K? 4K 120Hz? Out of their minds. How about some 1080p 120Hz IPS panels first?

 

So 1080p "Segmented Display" panels will be 240Hz?

 

Nah. 1080p IPS 120Hz variable refresh. All I need.

 

4K 60HZ+ would be an improvement as well instead of the current batch of 4K 48hz panels they are shoving on us.... Good to see the bandwidth is there for much better panels in the future!

 

240Hz is useless. Most games won't go that high no matter what you toss at them, and the ones that do are never consistent at that FPS.

 

Also, inb4 we start seeing some 8K laptops running on a GT 920M next year. Because you know... #Progress. OH and only 13" laptops will get the screens made. 17" will still be using 1080p.

 

LOL so true. Let's throw in our top end LCD with low end hardware... because we can. Yes they do need to focus on 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 fast refresh high quality displays before anything else. Although it is good to see a display port spec that is well outside the reach of current technology. Gives room to grow. Now if it can pump 10.1 audio, and 2Gbit ethernet through there too, now we're talking.

 

Hmm...I'm guessing whatever hardware is inside the Quantum Jesus™ laptop that can handle 8K @ 60Hz might manage to go above 120fps on 1080p display, no?

Haha this is probably more likely than you think. D2 is the #Nostradamus of laptop displays.

 

I would love to have 3K 17" laptop display which is IPS and 120Hz.. That is all I need...

 

4K 120Hz...ah one can always dream. In the meantime, mobile users from 17" and above are stuck at 1080p @ 60Hz

Who want to bet which notebook get 8K first? Will it be a notebook with ULV processor and IGP?

 

You must be talking about those poor poor GT80 Titan buyers. *points toward 120Hz in sig*

 

Wow, 980M SLI and limited to 1080p 60fps?

 

That's what SSAA is for.

Maybe the GT80 screen is overclockable..

 

Yeah I know some Clevo and Alienware M17x owners have the 120Hz. They no longer makes these now right?

I wish someone made 18" 120Hz displays too. You shouldnt disrespect GT80 owners though. They use the same display as I do. Samsung PLS display. It have its pros too you know

 

Why not! It could be the next AW 13 where 4K 120hz would be achieved with the power of the Alienware Graphics Amplifier!!! Then they can even put a 940m in the actual laptop because we all know the real reason to get a gaming laptop is to game at a desk.

 

I wasn't disrespecting them; but they do have a lot of wasted power (as DSR is STILL not available and most won't try original downsampling methods). Those 120Hz screens haven't been produced in years. My screen was produced in 2010; I bought my laptop in 2013. The current machines have the eDP spec to use it (at least the P37xSM-A and P770ZM do) but it's to find a 50-pin eDP connector and a cable for it that's the real problem. Unfortunately for the AW18 and GT80; they do not have the ability to use a higher refresh screen due to lack of availability of one in that size. Because we all know the 15" laptops are the ones most want (not being sarcastic there).

Also, for the AW18/GT80 to use such a high-spec screen, Optimus and their MUX switches would need to be disabled entirely and the machine would have to be wired to use that extra panel if it so desires. The AW17 can use either or; but if you use the eDP panel you lose MUX/Optimus. Since to my knowledge both MSI and the AW18/M18x models always allowed for iGPU usage; they'd never have been able to use those screens even if one did come out, as they likely lacked the connectors on the board or some such.

*fixed

 

@D2 Ultima: Yes, any desk, anywhere there is a wall socket! Or my comfy bed, seeing as my desk chair is not the most comfortable of chairs. The joys of living in rented shared houses; have to put up with the basic cheap furniture provided, sub-par internet connection and a general lack of space.

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

Sorry, which one of my posts were you responding too? LOL

 

Ooops sorry not you, I meant @D2Ultima