Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 13, 2015. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) is responsible for developing video standards. Version 1.4a of Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) is based on DisplayPort version 1.3.
Four High-Speed Lines
With the development of eDP 1.4a, VESA also specifies four high-speed connections between the graphics processor and display. Each line can transmit up to 8.1 GBit per second. Since they can be used individually, in pairs or all together, a transfer rate of up to 32.4 GBit per second can be achieved. With a 4K display, this makes 120 Hz with 10-bit colour depth possible; with 8K, it is only enough for 60 Hz. The Multi-SST Operation (MSO) function allows a separate screen to be controlled with each of the four high-speed connections.
Stream Compression
Together with the MIPI Alliance, VESA is developing a new standard called "Display Stream Compression", which defines the interface specification for mobile devices and compresses video signals without visible loss. This is also intended to result in low component costs and low power consumption.
Through the Adaptive Sync feature, eDP 1.4a can also avoid synchronisation problems between the computer and screen. Unfortunately, this optional function is presumably intended to be reserved for premium devices only. And the "Panel Self Refresh" (PSR) function, which allows the GPU to update only part of the display, has been updated, which according to VESA reduces energy consumption.
The standard is available to VESA members immediately. It is estimated that the first 8K systems with the eDP 1.4a standard will come onto the market around 2016.
All further information about Embedded DisplayPort version 1.4a is available here.
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