Makers maintain line but hold R&D

Taiwan suppliers of DisplayPort connectors and cable assemblies have put product development initiatives on hold, citing lukewarm market response due to a lack of killer application. They continue to hedge even with the release of the 1.2 specification, looking more closely at USB 3.0’s potential in the PC sector instead.

The island has more than 200 manufacturers providing various interconnects. About half belongs to the computer segment, and roughly 80 have their own series of DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort products. Even if they signed up for Video Electronics Standards Association membership, these suppliers remain followers of other standards, including HDMI and USB. This is because HDMI has a solid market in consumer electronics, while the latter is deeply entrenched in the PC sector.

Makers acknowledge DisplayPort’s many advantages over rival standards but until it finds a strong base, it will be difficult to supersede much less equal HDMI’s impact. At present, companies believe the possibilities are in niche applications such as public media walls and industrial apparatuses, where DisplayPort’s long cables and optional latching feature may find true value.