Jan/100
OfficialDisplayPort v1.2 Standard
Although the DisplayPort interface is still far from what we’d dare to call mainstream (after all, it’s been implemented, for the time being, in a fairly limited number of devices), it’s very likely that its popularity will greatly improve in the future, especially since we’re talking about a next-gen solution, by comparison to the already “old” DVI and VGA interfaces. 
We’ve tackled the issue of DisplayPort because, during CES, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) formally unveiled DisplayPort v1.2, an extension to the original DisplayPort standard offering many new benefits to the end user.
According to VESA, the DisplayPort v1.2 increases performance by doubling the maximum data transfer rate from 10.8 Gbps (Giga-bits-per-second) to 21.6 Gbps, greatly increasing display resolution, color depths, refresh rates, and multiple display capabilities. Moreover, the new standard supports “multi-streaming,” namely the ability to transport multiple independent uncompressed display and audio streams over a single cable, supporting protected content and high performance applications such as 3D gaming. This enables the use of multiple monitors connected by cable in a daisy chain or hub configuration. Whereas the current Display v1.1a standard can support one 2560 x 1600 monitor at 60Hz, DisplayPort v1.2 can support two such monitors with one cable, or four 1920 x 1200 monitors.
Another new feature is the ability to support high-speed, bi-directional data transfer, allowing USB 2.0 or Ethernet data to be carried within a standard DisplayPort cable. For DisplayPort v1.2, the maximum data rate of this “AUX” channel has been increased from 1 Mbps (megabits per second) to 720 Mbps, providing suitable bandwidth for USB 2.0. The DisplayPort cable can therefore support USB data to/from the display to support Display USB functions, in addition to sending the video and audio information. Standard Ethernet can also be transported in the DisplayPort cable.
DisplayPort v1.2 was designed to be compatible with existing DisplayPort systems and cables. To take advantage of the new capabilities, a PC will need to be DisplayPort v1.2 enabled. However, existing standard cables can still be used, including those with the new Mini-DisplayPort connector. To achieve the 21.6 Gbps rate, the per-lane data rate is doubled from 2.7 Gbps to 5.4 Gbps, over the four lanes that exist in the standard cable. For a single display, this enables up to 3840 x 2400 resolution at 60Hz, or a 3D display (120Hz) at 2560 x 1600.
As you can see, the new DisplayPort v1.2 standard marks some serious improvements over the initial versions, are we’re looking forward to seeing it implemented in more GPU solutions and monitors arriving on the market.