# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Display Cables

DisplayPort 1.4 vs. HDMI 2.1

Comparing 2 standards across 7 specifications. 7 key differences identified.

Comparing:
DisplayPort 1.4
HDMI 2.1
DisplayPort 1.4 →

DisplayPort 1.4, released March 2016, kept the same 32.4 Gbps HBR3 link rate as 1.3 but added Display Stream Compression (DSC) 1.2 -- a visually lossless compression scheme that extends the same bandwidth to resolutions like 8K at 30Hz that wouldn't otherwise fit.

View full DisplayPort 1.4 spec sheet →
HDMI 2.1 →

HDMI 2.1 increases total bandwidth to 48 Gbps via Fixed Rate Link (FRL). It mandates Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable certification and supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and eARC.

View full HDMI 2.1 spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

7 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
DisplayPort 1.4
HDMI 2.1
Max Resolution @ Refresh Rate
8K @ 60Hz (with DSC) / 4K @ 120Hz / 1440p @ 240Hz 8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz (10K with DSC)
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
32.4 Gbps (HBR3, 25.92 Gbps payload) 48 Gbps (FRL 4 lanes)
Pin Count
20 Pins (Full size DP) / USB-C Alt-Mode 19 Pins (Type A)
Display Stream Compression (DSC)
DSC 1.2 Supported DSC 1.2a Supported
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
VESA Adaptive-Sync / G-Sync / FreeSync Native HDMI Forum VRR & Quick Media Switching (QMS)
Max Audio Channels
32 Channels (1,536 kHz total sample rate) 32 Channels (eARC up to 192kHz / 24-bit uncompressed)
Max Recommended Cable Length
2–3 Meters (Passive HBR3) 3 Meters (Passive Ultra High Speed) / 100m+ (Active Optical AOC)

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. DisplayPort 1.0 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. DisplayPort 1.2 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. DisplayPort 2.1 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. DVI → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. HDMI 1.0 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. HDMI 1.3 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. HDMI 1.4 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. HDMI 2.0 → Compare DisplayPort 1.4 vs. VGA →