Video Electronics Standard Association (VESA) announced at CES that the upcoming version of the DisplayPort interface (v1.2) will offer more bandwidth to support resolutions of 4K/2K as well 3D content.

DisplayPort aims at the replacement of the DVI interface used to drive displays of PCs and it supports the HDCP copyright protection for Blu-ray reproduction on the PC.

The DisplayPort v1.2, scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2009, will bring new features including higher performance, multiple streams, higher speed auxiliary, a new mini connector as well as additional enhancements, while it will maintain backwards compatibility with the currently available DisplayPort v1.1a.

The performance is doubled to 5.4Gbps per lane, resulting to an overall bandwidth of 21.6Gbps (5.4Gbps x 4 lanes), compared to the current specifications (10.8Gbps). This will enable emerging display applications such as 3D Full HD Stereo content at 120Hz and High Color Range Quad Full HD (3840 x x2160 p) video over a standard DisplayPort connector.

The greater performance combined with DisplayPort's micro-packet architecture will also enable multiple monitor support over a single connector. Through multiple streams, a DisplayPort v1.2 source will be able to drive two WQXGA (2560 x 1600) or four WUXGA (1920 x 1200) monitors.

Higher speed auxiliary channel included in the specifications of DP v1.2 will also enable bi-directional bulk data transfer over a single DP cable. Potential DP v1.2 AUX applications include USB peripheral device data transfer, microphone audio transfer or camera vide transfer.

The new specifications will also offer interoperability with DVI and HDMI over a DP connector. This means that you will be able to connect to any digital display from a multi-mode DisplayPort source.

On the other hand, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), the digital interface that has become very popular among the A/V consumer electronics products, will also be updated this year. The HDMI Licensing, LLC, the agent responsible for licensing the HDMI specification, will also release the next version of the HDMI specification in the first half of 2009.

The updated HDMI spec is expected to consolidate HD video, HD audio and now high-speed data with the addition of Ethernet in the HDMI cable. It is also expected eliminate the need of a S/PDIF cable by allowing a TV to send audio streams upstream to an A/V receiver for processing and playback over the HDMI cable. The upper limit of the HDMI link will also be increased to handle 4kx2k and 3D. It will also include new connector specification for the auto industry as worlds' largest auto makers move to digital HD video and audio for 21st century cars with HDMI. Finally, a new smaller 19-pin connector will be introduced.