DisplayPort vs. HDMI: Which One Should You Choose for Your Monitor Setup?

 

When specifying IT for an office, trading floor or control room, especially one that involves multiple monitors, video conferencing, or presentations, the choice between DisplayPort and HDMI can have a significant impact on your productivity and ease of use. While both of these digital interfaces can transmit audio and video, they have different strengths that cater to various needs. This blog post will compare DisplayPort and HDMI specifically in the context of these environments, helping you decide which one is best for your workspace.

Overview of DisplayPort and HDMI

Before diving into the comparison, let’s recap what DisplayPort and HDMI are and their intended uses:

  • DisplayPort (DP): Developed by VESA, DisplayPort is a digital interface aimed at connecting computers to monitors. It’s often favoured in professional environments due to its support for high resolutions, high refresh rates, and multi-monitor setups. DisplayPort is commonly found on multiple port PC graphics cards and high-resolution monitors.

  • HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface): HDMI was initially developed for consumer electronics like TVs and home theatre systems but has since become widely used in computer monitors and laptops. HDMI offers a reliable and easy way to connect devices and is compatible with nearly any display you might find in an office as well as projectors and conference room screens.

Key Comparison Points for Office Use

1. Multi-Monitor Support

  • DisplayPort: One of the standout features of DisplayPort is Multi-Stream Transport (MST), which allows you to connect multiple monitors through a single DisplayPort connection. For example, you can use a DisplayPort daisy-chain setup to link several monitors together without needing multiple cables from your computer. This is incredibly useful for professionals who need more screen real estate, such as data analysts, graphic designers, and software developers.

  • HDMI: HDMI does not support daisy-chaining like DisplayPort. To connect multiple monitors using HDMI, you’ll need a separate HDMI output for each display or use an external HDMI adapter or docking station. This can make cable management a bit more cumbersome and limit the number of monitors you can connect.

Verdict: If your office setup involves multiple monitors, DisplayPort is the more efficient choice due to its daisy-chaining capability.

2. Resolution and Refresh Rate Support

  • DisplayPort: DisplayPort’s higher bandwidth capabilities make it ideal for high-resolution monitors in the office. DisplayPort 1.4 can handle up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz, while DisplayPort 2.0 supports 8K at 60Hz with HDR or even 4K at 240Hz. This makes it suitable for professionals who work with detailed graphics, large spreadsheets, or multiple virtual desktops.

  • HDMI: While HDMI 2.0 supports 4K at 60Hz, the newer HDMI 2.1 can handle 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz, making it competitive with DisplayPort in terms of resolution. However, HDMI 2.1 is less common on standard office monitors and is more frequently found in high-end displays.

Verdict: If you require ultra-high resolutions or refresh rates for design work or financial modeling, DisplayPort might be the better choice. However, for general office tasks like email, web browsing, and word processing, HDMI 2.0 or later is often sufficient.

3. Audio and Video Transmission

  • HDMI: HDMI is known for its ease of use in transmitting both audio and video over a single cable. It supports advanced audio features such as ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC, which can simplify connections in office conference rooms. For example, it allows audio to be sent back from a display to an external soundbar or speaker system without needing extra cables.

  • DisplayPort: DisplayPort also supports audio, but it lacks ARC capabilities. In most office setups, DisplayPort is used with external speakers or headsets connected directly to the computer or docking station, which can work just fine in a typical desk setup. However, in a conference room where sound needs to go through the display, HDMI’s ARC feature might be more convenient.

Verdict: For conference rooms or setups where sound needs to travel through the display, HDMI may offer more convenience. For standard desk setups, DisplayPort is perfectly capable of handling audio needs.

4. Cable Length and Signal Integrity

  • DisplayPort: DisplayPort cables are generally effective up to 3 meters (10 feet) without significant loss of signal quality, especially at higher resolutions. For longer distances, active DisplayPort cables or DisplayPort extenders can be used to maintain signal integrity.

  • HDMI: HDMI cables are often better suited for longer runs, particularly when using HDMI 2.1 with better shielding. HDMI cables can reach up to 10 meters (33 feet) for standard passive cables, making them more suitable for larger conference rooms where the display is far from the source device.

Verdict: If you need to connect devices over a longer distance, such as from a presentation laptop to a distant large monitor or projector, HDMI is generally the better choice. For standard desk-to-monitor setups, DisplayPort is just as reliable.

5. Compatibility with Office Devices

  • DisplayPort: It’s most commonly found on business-class PCs, workstations, multiple port graphics cards and professional monitors. DisplayPort is often the preferred option for USBC docking stations, which allows users to connect their laptops and extend their screens easily in hot-desking environments.

  • HDMI: HDMI’s compatibility is more universal across different types of displays, including TVs, projectors, and conference room monitors. This makes it ideal for presentations and meetings where you need to connect laptops to various types of screens without worrying about adapters.

Verdict: If your office setup involves frequent presentations or connecting to shared displays in meeting rooms, HDMI may be more compatible. For workstations with high-resolution monitors, DisplayPort is typically preferred.

Conclusion: Choosing Between DisplayPort and HDMI for the Office

The right choice between DisplayPort and HDMI depends on your office environment and specific needs:

  • DisplayPort is the better choice for multi-monitor setups, high-resolution displays, and professional workstations where daisy-chaining and high refresh rates matter. It’s ideal for tasks like design, data analysis, or programming.

  • HDMI is more suitable for conference rooms, presentation setups, and general-purpose monitors where ease of compatibility and longer cable runs are more important. Its universal compatibility makes it a convenient option when different users with varying devices need to connect to a shared display.

By considering these factors, you can create a more efficient and productive office setup that meets your specific requirements, whether it’s for individual work or collaboration in meetings.

 
David AldridgeTechnology Desking LtdDisplayPort, HDMI, DisplayPort v HDMI, trading floor, Multi-Stream Transport, multiple monitors, daisy-chain, DisplayPort 1.4, ARC (Audio Return Channel), eARC, multiple port graphics cards