DisplayPort versions and impact on cables

 The DisplayPort VESA standard evolved greatly, from v1.0 (2006) to v2.0 (June 2019). Newer versions added new features and support for

  • Higher video resolutions & data rates: HBR, HBR2, HBR3, UHBR
  • MST, daisy chaining monitor
  • DSC, Display stream compression, which is a visually lossless encoding technique

Displayport Cables

  • All DisplayPort cables are compatible with all versions of DisplayPort devices (source, displays) .  
  • DP cables all have one and unique pinout, and all support features such as AUDIO, DAISY-CHAINING, HDR, MST, DSC, ETC.
  • Cables differ in their transmission speed support. Currently, 4 transmission modes are defined. Not all cables can support the four modes. Cables with limited transmission speed are still compatible with all DP devices, but will limit the maximum resolution & refresh rates.
  • DisplayPort cables are not classified by "version".  DisplayPort cables should be classified only by their bandwidth certification level (RBR, HBR, HBR2, HBR3), if they have been certified at all by VESA.
Transmission Mode Transmission DP Version Minimum Cable
Bit Rate Introduced In Certification Required
RBR (Reduced Bit Rate) 6.48 Gbit/s 1 RBR DisplayPort Cable
HBR (High Bit Rate) 10.80 Gbit/s Standard DisplayPort Cable
HBR2 (High Bit Rate 2) 21.60 Gbit/s 1.2
HBR3 (High Bit Rate 3) 32.40 Gbit/s 1.3 DP8K DisplayPort Cable
UHBR 10 (Ultra High Bit Rate 10) 40.00 Gbit/s 2