AMD Demonstrates Graphics Processors with Native DisplayPort 1.1

Sunnyvale, Calif. – (NYSE:AMD) AMD has said that the company recently tested the interoperability of a next-generation graphics processor with a native DisplayPort™ 1.1 transmitter. The testing was completed with a Genesis Microchip DisplayPort receiver. AMD is currently attending the Video and Electronics Standards Association (VESA) PlugTest in Milpitas, California to undergo further interoperability testing.

DisplayPort, aims to unify and standardize display across the desktop and notebook computing environments through a common high-bandwidth interconnect.  ATI Radeon™ graphics were first to integrate other display technologies such as high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) and digital visual interface (DVI).  DisplayPort interfaces are expected to be natively supported in ATI Radeon graphics processors in the early 2008 timeframe.

“AMD has been driving the high-definition transition on the PC with innovative firsts such as integrated HDMI, high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) and our Unified Video Decoder (UVD),” said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Graphics Products Group, AMD. “With the successful interoperability testing of the first graphics chip to feature a native DisplayPort transmitter, we are once again breaking new ground in customer-centric innovation by offering increased choice in video and display technologies to our users.”

DisplayPort is an interface designed to be scalable and allow for true unification of display interfaces. DisplayPort supports both external connections, such as a display to a PC or TV, as well as embedded interface applications, such as inside a notebook PC.

“Achieving this level of interoperability is the result of a long-time collaboration between AMD and Genesis Microchip,” said Alan Kobayashi, Vice President, DisplayPort and Monitor Marketing, Genesis Microchip. “Like AMD, we believe that the creation of DisplayPort is an industry milestone that will deliver incredible performance in displays and address the growing bandwidth concerns of any high-resolution audio and video application.”

“As one of the founding members of the DisplayPort promoter group, and a very active VESA member, AMD has played a valuable role for more than four years now in the specification development of the DisplayPort interface,” said Bill Lempesis, executive director, VESA. “We congratulate AMD on achieving this tremendous milestone so soon after DisplayPort version 1.1 was ratified in April.”

DisplayPort 1.1 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. DisplayPort provides the ability to connect to both internal and external displays with a common digital interface. This common interface capability means that DisplayPort can carry pixels directly from any display source to any LCD panel, simplifying the design complexity that is present today. As 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.

DisplayPort 1.1 adds support for High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) version 1.3. HDCP support enables viewing of protected content from Blu-ray and HD-DVD optical media over DisplayPort 1.1 connections.

DisplayPort 1.1 provides for low voltage and low power operation, and enables improved interoperability and reduced EMI through its unique embedded clock architecture. Significant advantages over DVI and VGA include a small USB-sized connector with available latching, two-way display connectivity, optional audio support, higher performance than dual link DVI at 10.8 Gigabits per second, and a unique micro-packet architecture that enables new display features.