The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced that its membership has approved version 1.1 of the DisplayPort interface standard for use in new designs of flat panel displays, projectors, PCs and other consumer devices.

The standard gives manufacturers of LCD panels, monitors, graphics cards, PC chipsets, projectors, peripherals, components, and consumer electronics a next-generation digital interface that is designed to replace LVDS, DVI, and eventually VGA.

"The benefits of version 1.1 are significant, and will encourage adoption of DisplayPort in new generations of computers and consumer electronics equipment, " said Bill Lempesis, VESA executive director

"Our task groups and committees within VESA worked very hard to ensure that DisplayPort 1.1 satisfies the important objectives it is designed for and, as a result, this new version has widespread support among all the leading computer and consumer electronics suppliers."

DisplayPort provides the ability to connect to both internal and external displays with a common digital interface. This common interface capability means that it can carry pixels directly from any display source to any LCD panel, simplifying the design complexity that many manufacturers face today.

It also adds support for the latest version of High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), which enables viewing of protected content from Blu-ray and HD-DVD optical media.

The new standard also caters for low voltage and low power operation, and replaces large and inconvenient DVI and VGA adaptors with a small USB-sized connector.

DisplayPort 1.1 also provides two-way display connectivity, optional audio support, as well as new display features.

First presented at CES 2007, a DisplayPort Interoperability Guideline is nearing completion that recommends best practices for providing DVI and HDMI connectivity via the DisplayPort connector and simple cable adapters.