Advantech recently announced a new range of industrial monitors that use the DisplayPort interface. DisplayPort offers a number of advantages to the industrial-computing arena, including being an open-standard, royalty-free format that is uniquely scalable and efficient. DP operates across cable connections of up to 15 meters in length without requiring signal boosters, while supporting resolution-intensive applications, and can even run hundreds of meters using fiber-optic connections. DP is backward compatible to DVI, VGA and HDMI, and inexpensive adapters are readily available for connection to those older formats.
Unlike the HDMI interface, which was designed specifically for external connection of digital televisions, DP was designed from day one for internal and external connection of computer displays. Unlike HDMI, DP transmits control, video and audio data in packets, mirroring data network systems. This more flexible packet format allows greater customization across one, two or four channels for individual optimization of such aspects as frame rate, screen resolution and pixel depth. In PC applications, DP replaces both DVI controllers and VGA hardware, significantly streamlining architecture.
Version 1.0 of the DP all-digital audio/video-interface standard was established by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) in 2006, and the latest version, 1.2, has been in place since December of 2009. The 20-pin connection supports from 6 to 16 bits per color video channel and as many as 8 channels of 24-bit uncompressed audio.
Advantech’s FPM-5000G-series DP-interface monitors are initially available in diagonal dimensions of 15, 17 and 19 inches. The monitors feature lockable OSD keys with two user-defined contrast and brightness settings, plus a flat, sealed, die-cast aluminum front panel with front-accessible USB connection, as well as an optional USB interface for touchscreen function.