Wondering how to
connect a DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort to an HDMI input on a monitor?
While it might sound
complicated, connecting an HDMI to
DisplayPort is actually a fairly simple connection. But before
learning how to connect the two, you need to first understand what a
DisplayPort connection is.
What is a DisplayPort connection?
The DisplayPort refers
to the newest digital connection to fill a void where HDMI and DVI used to be
the main and only two digital players. DVI will probably go away fairly soon,
since the group that created DVI no longer exists to help upgrade the
technology. HDMI is not an open platform, since it is a royalty based product
from a company known as Silicon Image. DisplayPort was born as a new standard
out of the shortcomings of HDMI and DVI.
Newer tablets and
laptops offer the DisplayPort connection, as well as the mini DisplayPort
connection. Whether you own a PC laptop or a Mac laptop, you might come across
the issue of needing to convert a mini DisplayPort output or a DisplayPort
output to an HDMI monitor input. This problem is likely going to persist, since
the old world of analog video or VGA is going away.
DisplayPort and HDMI
will coexist side by side for the time being, meaning that users will need to
understand how to connect HDMI and DisplayPort to each other, since newer
tablets and laptops might only support either the DisplayPort or HDMI. If you
need to know how to connect a device with either a mini DisplayPort output or a
DisplayPort output to an HDMI monitor input, then you have come to the right
place.
How to connect a DisplayPort output to an HDMI monitor input
Wondering if you can
just get a passive cable or adapter or if you have to convert the signal since the
DisplayPort uses a packet transfer system known as LVDS and HDMI uses the
system known as TMDS? The answer is a little complicated, but the DisplayPort
signal is unfortunately not compatible with HDMI.
If the DisplayPort
output is a dual mode DisplayPort, then it should be able to recognize and
adjust the signal to HDMI when you connect a passive adapter cable.
Unfortunately, sometimes this works and sometimes it does not work. If the
DisplayPort graphics card is only a single mode DisplayPort, then you have to
use an active converter or adapter rather than a passive adapter cable.
If you’re not sure
whether your DisplayPort is a dual mode or single mode port, then check the
mark near the port. A dual mode DisplayPort should have a mark that says either
DisplayPort ++ or DP ++.
If you want to be
completely safe, then you can simply get an active adapter for about $40. The
active adapter or converter should work, whether you have a dual mode or single
mode DisplayPort. Now that you understand those basics, you should be able to
connect your DisplayPort to the HDMI.
