DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4

<!DOCTYPE html> <html>     <head>  <script> (function (w, d, s, l, i) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push({ 'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }); var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : ''; j.async = true; j.src = 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f); })(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-PV2DVS'); </script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="/Scripts/mobile.min.js"></script> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta name="application-name" content="AnandTech" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="QejUZTJaqCr781DA0W_JNGjf4wS2xyffL3ohvIuRESc" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/AnandTech" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/content/images/podcast_a_huge.png" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS Feed for AnandTech.com" href="/rss/" /> <title>DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4</title> <link href="/Content/atfonts.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">  <link href="/Content/css?v=813oG_8nNyCZXz7kVAe5eS_3v4I3z_2YsaGf_j29ZEg1" rel="stylesheet"/> <link href="/Content/resp?v=bLpsGHlbt2J0jFe7q4kOjMR6XTWKxEGuyW8fHKDd5HM1" rel="stylesheet"/>  <script src="/bundles/jquery?v=guGiAVIp0f1T2TxJO-1NYkUT4F2gOxZwD3D5fOxH8tI1"></script> <script src="/bundles/javascript?v=3zoMUnHQHQfKEAEU_MI-Vwh0i7NhmCdIOW4S7phdnJo1"></script> <script type='text/javascript' src="/Scripts/dynamic.js"></script> <script>function _typeof(t){return(_typeof="function"==typeof Symbol&&"symbol"==typeof Symbol.iterator?function(t){return typeof t}:function(t){return t&&"function"==typeof Symbol&&t.constructor===Symbol&&t!==Symbol.prototype?"symbol":typeof t})(t)}!function(){for(var t,e,o=[],n=window,r=n;r;){try{if(r.frames.__tcfapiLocator){t=r;break}}catch(t){}if(r===n.top)break;r=n.parent}t||(function t(){var e=n.document,o=!!n.frames.__tcfapiLocator;if(!o)if(e.body){var r=e.createElement("iframe");r.style.cssText="display:none",r.name="__tcfapiLocator",e.body.appendChild(r)}else setTimeout(t,5);return!o}(),n.__tcfapi=function(){for(var t=arguments.length,n=new Array(t),r=0;r<t;r++)n[r]=arguments[r];if(!n.length)return o;"setGdprApplies"===n[0]?n.length>3&&2===parseInt(n[1],10)&&"boolean"==typeof n[3]&&(e=n[3],"function"==typeof n[2]&&n[2]("set",!0)):"ping"===n[0]?"function"==typeof n[2]&&n[2]({gdprApplies:e,cmpLoaded:!1,cmpStatus:"stub"}):o.push(n)},n.addEventListener("message",(function(t){var e="string"==typeof t.data,o={};if(e)try{o=JSON.parse(t.data)}catch(t){}else o=t.data;var n="object"===_typeof(o)?o.__tcfapiCall:null;n&&window.__tcfapi(n.command,n.version,(function(o,r){var a={__tcfapiReturn:{returnValue:o,success:r,callId:n.callId}};t&&t.source&&t.source.postMessage&&t.source.postMessage(e?JSON.stringify(a):a,"*")}),n.parameter)}),!1))}();</script> <script> (function () { var e = false; var c = window; var t = document; function r() { if (!c.frames["__uspapiLocator"]) { if (t.body) { var a = t.body; var e = t.createElement("iframe"); e.style.cssText = "display:none"; e.name = "__uspapiLocator"; a.appendChild(e) } else { setTimeout(r, 5) } } } r(); function p() { var a = arguments; __uspapi.a = __uspapi.a || []; if (!a.length) { return __uspapi.a } else if (a[0] === "ping") { a[2]({ gdprAppliesGlobally: e, cmpLoaded: false }, true) } else { __uspapi.a.push([].slice.apply(a)) } } function l(t) { var r = typeof t.data === "string"; try { var a = r ? JSON.parse(t.data) : t.data; if (a.__cmpCall) { var n = a.__cmpCall; c.__uspapi(n.command, n.parameter, function (a, e) { var c = { __cmpReturn: { returnValue: a, success: e, callId: n.callId } }; t.source.postMessage(r ? JSON.stringify(c) : c, "*") }) } } catch (a) { } } if (typeof __uspapi !== "function") { c.__uspapi = p; __uspapi.msgHandler = l; c.addEventListener("message", l, false) } })(); </script> <script> window.__gpp_addFrame=function(e){if(!window.frames[e])if(document.body){var t=document.createElement("iframe");t.style.cssText="display:none",t.name=e,document.body.appendChild(t)}else window.setTimeout(window.__gpp_addFrame,10,e)},window.__gpp_stub=function(){var e=arguments;if(__gpp.queue=__gpp.queue||[],__gpp.events=__gpp.events||[],!e.length||1==e.length&&"queue"==e[0])return __gpp.queue;if(1==e.length&&"events"==e[0])return __gpp.events;var t=e[0],p=e.length>1?e[1]:null,s=e.length>2?e[2]:null;if("ping"===t)p({gppVersion:"1.1",cmpStatus:"stub",cmpDisplayStatus:"hidden",signalStatus:"not ready",supportedAPIs:["2:tcfeuv2","5:tcfcav1","6:uspv1","7:usnatv1","8:uscav1","9:usvav1","10:uscov1","11:usutv1","12:usctv1"],cmpId:0,sectionList:[],applicableSections:[],gppString:"",parsedSections:{}},!0);else if("addEventListener"===t){"lastId"in __gpp||(__gpp.lastId=0),__gpp.lastId++;var n=__gpp.lastId;__gpp.events.push({id:n,callback:p,parameter:s}),p({eventName:"listenerRegistered",listenerId:n,data:!0,pingData:{gppVersion:"1.1",cmpStatus:"stub",cmpDisplayStatus:"hidden",signalStatus:"not ready",supportedAPIs:["2:tcfeuv2","5:tcfcav1","6:uspv1","7:usnatv1","8:uscav1","9:usvav1","10:uscov1","11:usutv1","12:usctv1"],cmpId:0,sectionList:[],applicableSections:[],gppString:"",parsedSections:{}}},!0)}else if("removeEventListener"===t){for(var a=!1,i=0;i<__gpp.events.length;i++)if(__gpp.events[i].id==s){__gpp.events.splice(i,1),a=!0;break}p({eventName:"listenerRemoved",listenerId:s,data:a,pingData:{gppVersion:"1.1",cmpStatus:"stub",cmpDisplayStatus:"hidden",signalStatus:"not ready",supportedAPIs:["2:tcfeuv2","5:tcfcav1","6:uspv1","7:usnatv1","8:uscav1","9:usvav1","10:uscov1","11:usutv1","12:usctv1"],cmpId:0,sectionList:[],applicableSections:[],gppString:"",parsedSections:{}}},!0)}else"hasSection"===t?p(!1,!0):"getSection"===t||"getField"===t?p(null,!0):__gpp.queue.push([].slice.apply(e))},window.__gpp_msghandler=function(e){var t="string"==typeof e.data;try{var p=t?JSON.parse(e.data):e.data}catch(e){p=null}if("object"==typeof p&&null!==p&&"__gppCall"in p){var s=p.__gppCall;window.__gpp(s.command,(function(p,n){var a={__gppReturn:{returnValue:p,success:n,callId:s.callId}};e.source.postMessage(t?JSON.stringify(a):a,"*")}),"parameter"in s?s.parameter:null,"version"in s?s.version:"1.1")}},"__gpp"in window&&"function"==typeof window.__gpp||(window.__gpp=window.__gpp_stub,window.addEventListener("message",window.__gpp_msghandler,!1),window.__gpp_addFrame("__gppLocator")); </script> <script> window._sp_queue = []; window._sp_ = { config: { accountId: 200, baseEndpoint: 'https://cdn.privacy-mgmt.com', usnat: { includeUspApi: true }, gdpr: { }, events: { onMessageChoiceSelect: function() { // console.log('[event] onMessageChoiceSelect', arguments); }, onMessageReady: function() { // console.log('[event] onMessageReady', arguments); }, onMessageChoiceError: function() { // console.log('[event] onMessageChoiceError', arguments); }, onPrivacyManagerAction: function() { // console.log('[event] onPrivacyManagerAction', arguments); }, onPMCancel: function() { // console.log('[event] onPMCancel', arguments); }, onMessageReceiveData: function() { // console.log('[event] onMessageReceiveData', arguments); }, onSPPMObjectReady: function() { // console.log('[event] onSPPMObjectReady', arguments); }, onConsentReady: function (consentUUID, euconsent) { // Existing code // Your new code // Check for CCPA if (euconsent.message_type === "ccpa" && euconsent.info.applies) { document.getElementById("pmLink").style.visibility = "visible"; document.getElementById("pmLink").innerHTML = "Do Not Sell"; document.getElementById("pmLink").onclick = function () { window._sp_.ccpa.loadPrivacyManagerModal('CCPA_PM_ID'); }; } // Check for GDPR if (euconsent.message_type === "gdpr" && euconsent.info.applies) { document.getElementById("pmLink").style.visibility = "visible"; document.getElementById("pmLink").innerHTML = "Privacy Preferences"; document.getElementById("pmLink").onclick = function () { window._sp_.gdpr.loadPrivacyManagerModal('GDPR_PM_ID'); }; } }, onError: function() { // console.log('[event] onError', arguments); }, } } } </script> <script src='https://cdn.privacy-mgmt.com/unified/wrapperMessagingWithoutDetection.js' async></script> <script defer type="text/javascript" src="https://bordeaux.futurecdn.net/bordeaux.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var targeting = { kw: ['monitors','displays','displayport','vesa','usb-c','usb4'] }; window.bordeaux = window.bordeaux || {}; window.bordeaux.cmd = window.bordeaux.cmd || []; window.bordeaux.cmd.push(function () { window.bordeaux.setTargeting(targeting); window.bordeaux.setPageCategory('monitors'); window.bordeaux.setPageTemplate('pipeline'); window.bordeaux.init(); }); </script> <script defer type="text/javascript" src="https://champagne.futurecdn.net/champagne.js"></script> <script> var PLAYER_ID = 'XzKn4M6Y'; var PLAYLIST_ID = 'JgDqiWaS'; function initTracking(instance) { if (!window.ga) { return; } function gaSend() { var args = arguments; if (window.ga) { window.ga(function (tracker) { if (tracker) { tracker.send.apply(tracker, args); } else { window.ga.getAll().forEach(function (tracker) { tracker.send.apply(tracker, args); }); } }); } } function getDimensions(instance, nonInteraction) { var dimensions = { nonInteraction: nonInteraction, dimension106: document.querySelectorAll('.jwplayer').length, dimension107: instance.getPlaylistItem().duration, dimension113: true }; if (instance.getVisualQuality()) { dimensions.dimension108 = instance.getVisualQuality().level.height; } return Object.assign(dimensions, window.analytics_ga_data || {}); } instance.on('play', function (playInfo) { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'play', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, playInfo.playReason === 'autostart')); }); instance.on('pause', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'pause', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)); }); instance.on('seek', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'seek', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)); }); instance.on('complete', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'complete', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, false)); }); instance.on('adImpression', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'adplay', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)); }); instance.on('adComplete', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'adcomplete', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)); }); instance.on('adSkipped', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'adskip', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)); }); instance.on('setupError', function () { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'playererror', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)); }); instance.on('levelsChanged', function (newQuality) { var dimensions = getDimensions(instance, true) if (newQuality.currentQuality !== 0) { dimensions.dimension108 = String(newQuality.levels[newQuality.currentQuality].height); } gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'qualitychange', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, dimensions) }); if (instance.getViewable() === 1) { gaSend('event', 'jwplayer', 'viewable', instance.getPlaylistItem().mediaid, getDimensions(instance, true)) } } var divID = 'jw-' + (new Date()).getTime(); var playerURL = "https://videos.techradar.com/libraries/" + PLAYER_ID + ".js"; var playlistURL = "https://content.jwplatform.com/feeds/" + PLAYLIST_ID + ".json"; var jwPlayerConfig = {}; var targetingObject = { "ttID": "__item-mediaid__", "vvid_title": "__item-title__", "vdbl": "yes", "pos": "preroll", "max_ad_duration": "30000", "url": window.location.href }; var allowVideo = true; var urlLower = window.location.href.toLowerCase(); if (targeting.kw.includes('live-blog') || targeting.kw.includes('sponsored-post') || targeting.kw.includes('guides')) { console.log('keyword blocked video'); allowVideo = false; } else if (urlLower.includes('/tag') || urlLower.includes('/print') || urlLower.includes('/about') || urlLower.includes('/search')) { console.log('url blocked video'); allowVideo = false; } function addJWPlayer() { var playerContainerElement = document.querySelector(".articleContent p:nth-of-type(4), .content > .main_cont > .main_cont > .cont_box1:nth-of-type(4n), #video_ad"); if (allowVideo && !playerContainerElement) { console.warn("No JWPlayer placeholder for Champagne video player injection"); } else if (allowVideo) { var playerElement = document.createElement('div'); playerElement.id = divID; playerElement.style.margin = '13px 0px'; playerContainerElement.insertAdjacentElement("afterend", playerElement); window.champagne = window.champagne || {}; window.champagne.cmd = window.champagne.cmd || []; window.champagne.cmd.push(function () { if (window.googletag && window.googletag.pubads) { var targetKeys = window.googletag.pubads().getTargetingKeys(); for (var t in targetKeys) { var key = targetKeys[t]; targetingObject[key] = window.googletag.pubads().getTargeting(key); } } if (window.targeting) { for (var t in window.targeting) { targetingObject[t] = window.targeting[t]; } } window.champagne.addJWPlayer( divID, playerURL, playlistURL, jwPlayerConfig, targetingObject, ) .then(function (jwPlayerInstance) { initTracking(jwPlayerInstance); }).catch(function (error) { console.error(error) }); }); } } if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', addJWPlayer); } else { addJWPlayer(); } </script> <script> var injectTaboola = true; if (targeting.kw.includes('live-blog') || targeting.kw.includes('sponsored-post') || targeting.kw.includes('guides')) { console.log('keyword blocked taboola'); injectTaboola = false; } else if (urlLower.includes('/tag') || urlLower.includes('/print') || urlLower.includes('/about') || urlLower.includes('/search')) { console.log('url blocked taboola'); injectTaboola = false; } // Commented out as g_o is currently undefined on all pages // // Do not include on pages matching */####/sponsored-post* // if (window.location.pathname.match(/\/[0-9]+\/sponsored-post/)) { // injectTaboola = false; // } // if (typeof g_o=='undefined' || !g_o || !g_o.channel || g_o.channel!='Editorial') { // injectTaboola = false; // } // if (typeof g_o=='undefined' || !g_o || (g_o.eVar4 && g_o.eVar4.indexOf('Listing') > -1)) { // injectTaboola = false; // } // if (typeof g_o=='undefined' || !g_o || (g_o.eVar4 && g_o.eVar4.indexOf('Article Print') > -1)) { // injectTaboola = false; // } // if (typeof g_o=='undefined' || !g_o || (g_o.prop34 && g_o.prop34.indexOf('Live Blog') > -1)) { // injectTaboola = false; // } window._taboola = window._taboola || []; window._taboola.push({ article: 'auto' }); var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = 1; script.src = 'https://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/futureplc-network/loader.js' script.id = 'tb_loader_script'; window.document.head.appendChild(script); function addTaboola() { var taboolaAnchor = document.querySelectorAll('#resp_middle_ad, #comment'); if (taboolaAnchor.length > 0 && injectTaboola) { var taboolaAnchorElement = taboolaAnchor[0]; var taboolaDiv = window.document.createElement('div'); taboolaDiv.id = 'taboola_' + Math.floor(Math.random() * 1000); taboolaDiv.style.letterSpacing = '0.01px'; taboolaDiv.classList = 'spaceb15 taboola-anchor'; taboolaAnchorElement.parentNode.insertBefore(taboolaDiv, taboolaAnchorElement.previousSibling); window._taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-b', container: taboolaDiv.id, placement: 'Below Article Widget', target_type: 'mix' }); } var taboolaMidArticleAnchor = document.querySelector('.articleContent>p:nth-of-type(3)'); if (taboolaMidArticleAnchor && injectTaboola) { var taboolaMidArticleDiv = window.document.createElement('div'); taboolaMidArticleDiv.id = 'taboola-mid-article'; taboolaMidArticleAnchor.parentNode.insertBefore(taboolaMidArticleDiv, taboolaMidArticleAnchor.nextSibling); window._taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-a-mid', container: 'taboola-mid-article', placement: 'Mid Article', target_type: 'mix' }); } window._taboola.push({ flush: true }); } if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', addTaboola); } else { addTaboola(); } </script> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/15752" /> <meta property="og:title" content="DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.anandtech.com/show/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/VESA%20DP%20Alt%20Mode%20Photo%202_678x452.jpg" /> <meta name="author" content="Ryan Smith" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="fail" /> <script type="text/javascript"> var loggedIn = false; var isRoot = false; </script> <script src="/bundles/comments?v=4dsDdpYDBE_hkYPqV3fRU23zZmeXjfy10FIyxvSlyEk1"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function () { $('a.icAddComment').click(DoTopPost); }); </script> </head> <body>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PV2DVS" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <header class="header"> <div class="header_top"> <div class="header_ad" id="header_ad"> </div> <div class="logo"> <a href="/"> <img src="/Content/images/logo2.png" alt="" /> </a> </div> <div class="header_top_right"> <div class="search_area"> <form action="/SearchResults" method="get"> <div class="search"> <input name="q" type="text" class="search_field"> <input name="" type="submit" class="search_btn" value="search"> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="login"> <span id="loginHeader" style="display: none;"> Welcome <a href="/Account/Details"><b><span id="loginUser"></span></b></a> <a href="/Account/Logout?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">Log out</a> </span> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </form> </div> <div class="header_right_btm"> <span> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AnandTech"> <img src="/Content/images/icon-twitter.png" alt="" /> </a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnandTech/"> <img src="/Content/images/icon-facebook.png" alt="" /> </a> <a href="/rss/"> <img src="/Content/images/icon-rss.png" alt="" /> </a> </span> <ul> <li><a href="/home/about/">ABOUT</a></li> <li><a href="/bench/">BENCH</a></li> <li><a href="http://forums.anandtech.com">FORUMS</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/podcast">PODCAST</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> <div class=" clrflt"></div> </div> <div class="header_top_resp"> <div class="logo_resp"> <a href="/"><img src="/Content/images/logo_resp.png" alt="" /></a> </div> <div class="header_top_resp_right"> <a class="search_icon" href="#"></a> <div class="drop_down_search"> <span class="blk"></span> <form action="/SearchResults" method="get"> <div class="search"> <input name="q" type="text" class="search_field"> <input name="" type="submit" class="search_btn" value="search"> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </form> </div> <a class="home" href="#"></a> <div class="drop_down_home "> <span class="blk"></span> <a href="/home/about/">ABOUT</a> <a href="/bench/">BENCH</a> <a href="http://forums.anandtech.com">FORUMS</a> <a href="/tag/podcast">PODCAST</a> <a id="loginTopMobile" href="/Account/Login">LOGIN</a> <a href="/Account/Register">REGISTER</a> </div> <a class="nav_icon show_resp2" href="#"></a> <div class="drop_down_nav"> <span class="blk"></span> <div class="navmobile ignoreclick"><a href="#">PC Components<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a></div> <div class="nav_sec"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/cpus">CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/gpus">GPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mb">Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/ssd">SSDs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/casecoolingpsus">Cases/Cooling/PSUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/memory">Memory</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/nas">NAS</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/storage">Storage</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="navmobile ignoreclick"><a href="#">Smartphones & tablets<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a></div> <div class="nav_sec"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/smartphones">Smartphones</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/tablets">Tablets</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/huawei">Huawei</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/htc">HTC</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/samsung">Samsung</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/google">Google/Android</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/microsoft">Microsoft</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/apple">Apple</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/soc">SoCs</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="navmobile ignoreclick"><a href="#">Systems<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a></div> <div class="nav_sec"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/laptops">Notebook Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/desktops">Desktop Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mac">Mac Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/ultrabook">Ultrabooks</a></li> </ul> </div> <div><a href="/tag/enterprise">ENTERPRISE & IT</a></div> <div class="navmobile ignoreclick"><a href="#">GUIDES<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a></div> <div class="nav_sec"> <ul> <li><a href="/show/9793/best-cpus">Best CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/show/9799/best-ssds">Best SSDs</a></li> <li><a href="/show/9798/best-laptops">Best Laptops</a></li> <li><a href="/show/9770/best-android-phones">Best Android Phones</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12050/best-video-cards">Best Video Cards</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12056/best-psus">Best PSUs</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12072/best-motherboards">Best Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12058/best-gaming-laptops">Best Gaming Laptops</a></li> <li style="height: 60px !important;"><a href="/show/12061/best-mechanical-keyboards">Best Mechanical Keyboards</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12075/best-consumer-hdds">Best Consumer HDDs</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <nav class="breadcrumb nowidth show_resp2"> <ul> <li> <a href="/">Home</a><span>></span> <a href="/tag/monitors">Monitors</a> </li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </nav> <nav class="nav inner_nav animenu"> <input type="checkbox" id="button"> <label for="button">Menu</label> <ul> <li> <a href="#" class="ignoreclick">PC Components<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/cpus">CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/gpus">GPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mb">Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/ssd">SSDs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/casecoolingpsus">Cases/Cooling/PSUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/memory">Memory</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/nas">NAS</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/storage">Storage</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="ignoreclick">Smartphones & tablets<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/smartphones">Smartphones</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/tablets">Tablets</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/huawei">Huawei</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/htc">HTC</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/samsung">Samsung</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/google">Google/Android</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/microsoft">Microsoft</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/apple">Apple</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/soc">SoCs</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="ignoreclick">Systems<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/laptops">Notebook Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/desktops">Desktop Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mac">Mac Reviews</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/ultrabook">Ultrabooks</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/tag/enterprise" class="">Enterprise & IT</a> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="ignoreclick">Guides<span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="20" viewBox="0 0 16 16"><path fill="currentColor" d="m7 10l5 5l5-5z"/></svg> </span></a> <ul> <li><a href="/show/9793/best-cpus">Best CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/show/9799/best-ssds">Best SSDs</a></li> <li><a href="/show/9798/best-laptops">Best Laptops</a></li> <li><a href="/show/9770/best-android-phones">Best Android Phones</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12050/best-video-cards">Best Video Cards</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12056/best-psus">Best PSUs</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12072/best-motherboards">Best Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12058/best-gaming-laptops">Best Gaming Laptops</a></li> <li style="height: 60px !important;"><a href="/show/12061/best-mechanical-keyboards">Best Mechanical Keyboards</a></li> <li><a href="/show/12075/best-consumer-hdds">Best Consumer HDDs</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="topic_menu topic_inner" style="width: 280px; padding: 6px 0 0 6px;float: right;"> <div class="fbholder-fp" style="float:left; margin-right: 15px;"><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.facebook.com/AnandTech" data-send="false" data-layout="button_count" data-width="100" data-show-faces="false" data-colorscheme="dark"></div></div> <a href="https://twitter.com/anandtech" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="true" data-show-screen-name="false"></a> <script>!function (d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (!d.getElementById(id)) { js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); } }(document, "script", "twitter-wjs");</script> </nav> <nav class="topic_menu topic_inner"> <ul> <li class="topin_title">TRENDING TOPICS</li> <li class="nosep"><a href="/tag/cpus">CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/intel">Intel</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/amd">AMD</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/storage">Storage</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/gpus">GPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mobile">Mobile</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/ssd">SSDs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/smartphones">Smartphones</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/laptops">Laptops</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </nav> </header> <section class="content"> <section class="main_cont"> <div class="breadcrumb_area hide_resp2"> <nav class="breadcrumb"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a><span>></span></li> <li><a href="/tag/monitors">Monitors</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </nav> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="review_blog"> <div class="blog_top_left"> <a href="/show/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released"><h1>DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4</h1></a> <span>by <a href="#"><a class='b' href='/Author/85'>Ryan Smith</a></a> <em>on April 29, 2020 3:00 PM EST</em> </span> <ul class="hide_resp2"> <li>Posted in</li> <li><a href="/tag/monitors">Monitors</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/displays">Displays</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/displayport">DisplayPort</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/vesa">VESA</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/usb-c">USB-C</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/usb4">USB4</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="blog_top_right show_resp2"> <span><a href="#comments">12 <small>Comments</small></a></span> | <strong><a class="icAddComment" href="/Comment/NewComment/15752?page=1&commentPage=1&showAllComments=False">Add A Comment</a></strong> </div> <div class="blog_top_right hide_resp2"> <span><a href="#comments">12 <small>Comments</small></a></span> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="sidepadding review"> <div style="margin: 0 auto; text-align: center;"> <img src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/VESA DP Alt Mode Photo 2_678x452.jpg" alt="" /> </div> <div style="float: right; margin: 13px 0px 15px 15px;"> <div id="middle_ad"> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="articleContent"> <p>As the tech industry gears up for the launch of the new USB4 standard, a few more parts first need to fall into place. Along with the core specification itself, there is the matter of alternate modes, which add further functionality to USB Type-C host ports by allowing the data pins to be used to carry other types of signals. Keeping pace with the updates to USB4, some of the alt modes are being updated as well, and this process is starting with the granddaddy of them all: DisplayPort Alt Mode.</p> <p>The very first USB-C alt mode, <a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/8558/displayport-alternate-mode-for-usb-typec-announced">DisplayPort Alt Mode was introduced in 2014</a>. By remapping the USB-C high speed data pins from USB data to DisplayPort data, it became possible to use a USB-C port as a DisplayPort video output, and in some cases even mix the two to get both USB 3.x signaling and DisplayPort signaling over the same cable. As a result of DisplayPort Alt Mode’s release, the number of devices with video output has exploded, and in laptops especially, this has become the preferred mode for driving video outputs when a laptop doesn’t include a dedicated HDMI port.</p> <p>Now, as USB4 prepares to enter service, DisplayPort Alt Mode is being updated as well. One of the many big changes in the USB4 spec is that DisplayPort is a first-class citizen, with USB4 able to encapsulate DisplayPort video data like Thunderbolt 3 already does. So in order to keep pace with USB4 – where things are a bit more rigorous and well-defined this time around – VESA has needed to tighten the Alt Mode standard to match, as well as to update the specification to incorporate <a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/14590/vesa-announces-displayport-20-standard-bandwidth-for-8k-monitors-beyond">DisplayPort 2.0 and its UHBR signaling standards</a>. The end product, fittingly enough, will be called DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/VESA%20DP%20Alt%20Mode%20Photo%201.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/VESA%20DP%20Alt%20Mode%20Photo%201_575px.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a></p> <p>At a high level, as the USB-C connector itself isn’t changing for USB4, DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 doesn’t need to change much either. All of the physical mechanics regarding pin reassignment and what pins can carry what data are the same, so the crux of the alt mode still involves reassigning two or four of the high speed pairs offered in a USB-C cable/connector. That said, because the USB4 protocol is based on Thunderbolt 3 this time around, how USB4 data is carried is changing, and the behavior of USB4 cables is changing as well – mainly that they’ll be active cables for any appreciable distance – and so DP Alt Mode is being updated to accommodate this.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/TypeCPins.png"><img alt="" src="https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/TypeCPins_575px.png" /></a></p> <p>Besides immediate compatibility with USB4, the big change for DP Alt Mode 2.0 then is the addition of DisplayPort 2.0 functionality, to support the new UHBR 10, 13.5, and 20 signaling standards. With bandwidths of up to 20Gbps per lane, a full, 4 lane DP 2.0 connection can drive up to 80Gbps of bandwidth. And now with DP Alt Mode 2.0, an alt mode connection over a USB-C connection can do the same.</p> <p>Under the hood, this is accomplished by reconfiguring a 4 lane USB4 connection into a 2 or 4 lane DisplayPort connection, driving DisplayPort signals over high speed lanes that would normally be carrying USB4 signals. USB4 normally relies on a 2-up/2-down configuration to form a single bidirectional connection. DP Alt Mode can either split this with USB, resulting in a reduced bandwidth 1-up/1-down USB 3 connection paired with a 2 lane DP connection, or DP can take over all 4 lanes for a full speed DP connection. Ultimately, this means that a DP Alt Mode 2.0 connection is just as capable DisplayPort 2.0 connection as far as display connectivity and bandwidth are concerned.</p> <table align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#dddddd" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="650"> <tbody> <tr class="tgrey"> <td align="center" colspan="6">DisplayPort 2.0 vs DP Alt Mode 2.0 vs USB4</td> </tr> <tr class="tlblue"> <td align="center" bgcolor="#016a96" class="contentwhite" width="136"> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#016a96" class="contentwhite" width="160">DisplayPort 2.0</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#016a96" class="contentwhite" width="160">DP Alt Mode 2.0<br /> (4 Lane Mode)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#016a96" class="contentwhite" width="160">USB4</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>Max Cable Bandwidth</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">80Gbps</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">80Gbps</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">80Gbps</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>Max Downstream Bandwidth</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">80Gbps<br /> (DP)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">80Gbps<br /> (DP)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">40Gbps<br /> (USB + DP)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>Max Upstream Bandwidth</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">N/A</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">N/A</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">40Gbps<br /> (USB)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>Physical Layer</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">Thunderbolt 3</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">Thunderbolt 3</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">Thunderbolt 3</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>DisplayPort</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">1x DP 2.0 Streams</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">1x DP 2.0 Streams</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">1x DP 2.0 Streams</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>Passive Cable Option</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">Yes (40Gbps)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">Yes (40Gbps)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">Yes (40Gbps)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#eeeeee" class="tlgrey"><strong>Interface Port</strong></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">DisplayPort</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">USB Type-C</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f7f7f7">USB Type-C</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>And this isn’t merely a coincidence: both DisplayPort 2.0 and USB4 are based on Thunderbolt 3 signaling, which Intel released to the wider tech industry on a royalty-free basis a couple of years back. So although there are some significant differences at the protocol level (mainly that USB4 carries a whole lot of things other than DP video), the signaling and resulting cable rules are virtually the same for USB4 and DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0.</p> <p>This also means that DP Alt Mode 2.0 should largely work with USB4-compliant cables, although VESA is being careful to avoid promising compatibility with <em>all</em> cables, as USB4 cables are still under development and eventual certification. Like USB4 then, for extremely short runs passive cables will be possible, while for runs over a foot or so – which is to say, pretty much all real-world monitor setups – an active cable is required.</p> <p>Compatibility in active cables will in turn come down to the redrivers used in those cables. For USB4 cables to work with DP Alt Mode 2.0 they not only need to be able to redrive DP 2.0 signals, but they’ll need to be able to operate in full unidirectional mode – with all 4 lanes going downstream – as opposed to USB4’s bidirectional mode. The good news is that most USB4 cable redrivers are expected to support this, so the matter should largely be moot, but it again comes down to certification and what cable manufacturers end up doing.</p> <p>On a final note about connectivity, those redriver requirements will apply to DP Alt Mode 2.0 adapters as well, meaning that active adapters will be required. While DP Alt Mode 1.0 could work with passive adapters given the relatively loose signaling used, the tighter signaling requirements for DP 2.0 mean that even USB to DisplayPort adapters need an active redriver in them.</p> <p>Overall, the introduction of DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 means that there will be two different ways to pipe DisplayPort video over a USB4 cable, giving system builders and users an unusual degree of flexibility in designing devices and choosing how to wire them up. As previously discussed, USB4 can already carry encapsulated DisplayPort data within a USB4 signal. However with the introduction of DP Alt Mode 2.0, it also becomes possible to skip the middle man, so to speak, by reconfiguring a USB-C port to pass raw DisplayPort video.</p> <p>But why even have multiple modes to begin with, you might ask? The matter comes down to performance as well as hardware costs. From a bandwidth standpoint, USB4 maxes out at 40Gbps of bandwidth in any one direction a bidirectional connection. So the most bandwidth available for DisplayPort video, assuming it saturates the connection, is only half of what DisplayPort 2.0 is capable of. A raw DisplayPort connection via Alt Mode 2.0, on the other hand, doubles that maximum bandwidth to 80Gbps since all lanes can be used to send data to a display. So if nothing else, Alt Mode is needed to drive ultra-high resolution connections over USB-C, such as 8K @ 60Hz with HDR.</p> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"> <tbody> <tr class="tgrey"> <td align="center" colspan="13">DisplayPort Signaling Standards</td> </tr> <tr class="tlblue"> <td width="167">Standard</td> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="161">Raw Bandwidth<br /> (4 Lanes)</td> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="161">Effective Bandwidth<br /> (4 Lanes)</td> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="218">Target Monitor Resolutions</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tlgrey">Alt Mode 1.0<br /> (HBR3)</td> <td align="center" valign="middle">32.4 Gbps</td> <td align="center" valign="middle">25.92 Gbps</td> <td align="center" valign="middle">4K@120Hz<br /> 8K@60Hz (w/DSC)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="tlgrey">Alt Mode 2.0<br /> (UHBR 20)</td> <td align="center" valign="middle">80 Gbps</td> <td align="center" valign="middle">77.37 Gbps</td> <td align="center" valign="middle">8K@60hz HDR >8K@60Hz SDR<br /> 4K@144Hz HDR<br /> 2x 5K@60Hz</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>As for hardware costs, like Thunderbolt before it, using DisplayPort encapsulation with USB4 means that there needs to be USB4 controllers on both ends of the connection, as well as DisplayPort hardware to actually handle the DisplayPort data. Alt Mode, by contrast, allows for slightly simpler displays and sink devices: those only need DisplayPort hardware, and can forgo the USB4 controllers.</p> <p>Ultimately, as was the case with DisplayPort Alt Mode 1.0, DP Alt Mode 2.0 is all about giving hardware vendors another way to drive video out without having to use a dedicated port. And with the ability to match DisplayPort 2.0 spec-for-spec, as well as combine DP video with USB4 data, Alt Mode 2.0 is certainly setup to do just that and more. And, according to VESA, we should get a chance to see that first-hand next year, with the first DP Alt Mode 2.0 devices expected in 2021.</p> </div> <p> Source: <a href="https://vesa.org/featured-articles/vesa-releases-updated-displayport-alt-mode-spec-to-bring-displayport-2-0-performance-to-usb4-and-new-usb-type-c-devices/">VESA</a> </p> <div class="article_links"> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="fl-rt" style="margin: 22px 0px 15px;"> <div class="button left"><a href="/print/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released" class="print_article"><span>PRINT THIS ARTICLE</span></a></div> </div> <div class="fl-rt" style="margin: 22px 8px 15px; height: 0px;"> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div style="text-align: center;" id="resp_middle_ad"> </div> </div> <div class="discussion" id="comments"> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function () { window.hasCommenting = true; $('#icTopPost').click(DoTopPost); $("#icLoginLink").click(function (e) { window.gotoComment = true; $.fancybox.open([ { href: '#inlineLogin' } ], { padding: 0, titlePosition: 'inside', transitionIn: 'none', transitionOut: 'none', afterShow: function (current, previous) { $('#UserName').focus(); } }); e.preventDefault(); return false; }); $("#inlineComment").click(function (e) { DoComment(); e.preventDefault(); return false; }); $("div#comments a.jqc").click(function () { $.get(this.href, scrollComments); return false; }); }); </script> <div><a id="commentsAnchor"></a></div> <ul id="icReplyHolder"> <li id="replybox" class="blog_post_area" style="display: none;"> <div class="blog_post_btm"> <h3>Post Your Comment</h3> <span id="icMessage"> Please <a id="icLoginLink" href="/Account/Login?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">log in</a> or <a href="/Account/Register?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">sign up</a> to comment. </span> <textarea cols="10" rows="10" class="comment_txtarea" placeholder="Enter your comment" id="CommentInput" name="CommentInput"></textarea> <input name="" type="button" id="inlineComment" class="submit_comment_btn" value="Submit Comment" disabled="disabled"> <img alt="" src="/Content/images/ajax-loader13.gif" id="icAjaxLoader"/> <input type="hidden" name="ParentCommentId" id="ParentCommentId" /> <input type="hidden" name="ReplyLevel" id="ReplyLevel" /> <input data-val="true" data-val-number="The field ContentId must be a number." data-val-required="The ContentId field is required." id="ContentId" name="ContentId" type="hidden" value="15752" /> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="blog_comments"> <div>Comments Locked</div> <h2>12 Comments</h2> <h3><a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">View All Comments</a></h3> <ul id="ulComments"> <li id="cid698584" style=""> <h4><a>DanNeely</a> - Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/698584" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>@Ryan the sites twitter feed is down again.</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid698586" style="padding-left:18px;"> <h4><a>Ryan Smith</a> - Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/698586" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>Aye. It's something we're working on. Should have it fixed tomorrow.</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid700100" style="padding-left:18px;"> <h4><a>hildegardrdungan</a> - Monday, May 11, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/700100" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>Make money online from home extra cash more than $18k to $21k. Start getting paid every month Thousands Dollars online. I have received $26K in this month by just working online from home in my part time.every person easily do this job by just open this link and follow details on this page to get started… WWW.iⅭash68.ⅭＯⅯ</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid698616" style=""> <h4><a>Wrong_again</a> - Friday, May 1, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/698616" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>I wonder how much of this can be placed in a firmware update for Thunderbolt 3 devices, at least the ones with x4 lanes. They're clearly capable of producing a 40Gb/s digital signal already. </span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid698688" style="padding-left:18px;"> <h4><a>repoman27</a> - Friday, May 1, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/698688" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>None of it. All Thunderbolt 3 controllers are 4 lanes (2 dual-simplex channels) per port, however, the PHYs are not compatible with DP 2.0 or USB4 signaling.<br /><br />Despite what the article may imply, Thunderbolt 3 is **NOT** the physical layer for USB4, DisplayPort 2.0, or anything other than Thunderbolt 3. Thunderbolt uses slightly different signaling rates and encoding schemes than those other protocols, which is why compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 systems is only an optional aspect of the USB4 specification.<br /><br />In reality, the PHY situation for USB4 with Thunderbolt 3 and DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Modes is quite complicated. You have a single USB Type-C port that needs to support all of the following modes on the high-speed signaling pairs:<br /><br />USB4 Gen 3 (20 Gbit/s with 128b/132b encoding or RS(198,194) FEC, 4 pairs as 2 bonded, dual-simplex lanes)<br />USB4 Gen 2 (10 Gbit/s with 64b/66b encoding or RS(198,194) FEC, 4 pairs as 2 bonded, dual-simplex lanes)<br />USB3 Gen 2 x 2 (10 Gbit/s with 128b/132b encoding, 4 pairs as 2 bonded, dual-simplex lanes)<br />USB3 Gen 2 x 1 (10 Gbit/s with 128b/132b encoding, 2 pairs as 1 dual-simplex lane)<br />USB3 Gen 1 x 2 (5 Gbit/s with 8b/10b encoding, 4 pairs as 2 bonded, dual-simplex lanes)<br />USB3 Gen 1 x 1 (5 Gbit/s with 8b/10b encoding, 2 pairs as 1 dual-simplex lane)<br />TBT3 (20.625 Gbit/s with 64b/66b encoding, 4 pairs as 2 bonded, dual-simplex channels)<br />TBT2 (10.3125 Gbit/s with 64b/66b encoding, 4 pairs as 2 bonded, dual-simplex channels)<br />TBT (10.3125 Gbit/s with 64b/66b encoding, 2/4 pairs as 1 or 2 dual-simplex channels)<br />DP UHBR 20 (20 Gbit/s with 128b/132b encoding plus RS-FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br />DP UHBR 13.5 (13.5 Gbit/s with 128b/132b encoding plus RS-FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br />DP UHBR 10 (10 Gbit/s with 128b/132b encoding plus RS-FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br />DP HBR3 (8.1 Gbit/s with 8b/10b encoding plus optional RS(254,250) FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br />DP HBR2 (5.4 Gbit/s with 8b/10b encoding plus optional RS(254,250) FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br />DP HBR (2.7 Gbit/s with 8b/10b encoding plus optional RS(254,250) FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br />DP RBR (1.62 Gbit/s with 8b/10b encoding plus optional RS(254,250) FEC, 1/2/4 pairs as 1 simplex main link)<br /><br />Hopefully Thunderbolt 4 controllers, redrivers, and retimers will be able to handle all of the above so end users don't have to worry about it.</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid698764" style=""> <h4><a>Mobile-Dom</a> - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/698764" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>so does that mean USB is now PCIe based? it kinda has to if it's built off of Thunderbolt 3 right?</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid698765" style="padding-left:18px;"> <h4><a>repoman27</a> - Saturday, May 2, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/698765" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>Thunderbolt is a high-speed, point-to-point serial link. The controllers connect to the host PC or peripheral device via PCIe and DisplayPort and use protocol adapters to transport the PCIe and DisplayPort packets over the Thunderbolt link.<br /><br />USB4 is only conceptually built off of Thunderbolt and differs in terms of the specific implementation. Like Thunderbolt, it is also a tunneling protocol using high-speed serial links. The signaling rates and encoding schemes are very close but not identical to those used by Thunderbolt. Also USB4 is capable of tunneling USB in addition to PCIe and DisplayPort packets.<br /><br />Thunderbolt 3 controllers support USB 3.1 Gen 2, however they do so by including an integrated USB 3.1 host controller which is connected to a built-in PCIe switch. USB functions are then tunneled across Thunderbolt links as PCIe packets. USB4 can tunnel USB traffic natively without conversion to PCIe.</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid699114" style="padding-left:36px;"> <h4><a>mode_13h</a> - Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/699114" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>Thanks for explaining.</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid699017" style=""> <h4><a>name99</a> - Monday, May 4, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/699017" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>It's taken a while, yes, about ten years, but slowly all those initial promises for Thunderbolt have come true...<br /><a href="https://arstechnica.com/technopaedia/2008/05/thunderbolt/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://arstechnica.com/technopaedia/2008/05/thund...</a><br /><br />We can indeed now, over a single port, run power, "traditional" USB, PCIe, ethernet, and display!<br /><br />Now we just need to clean up the godawful mess that is cables and ports with some, but not all, capabilities. Honestly that's ALL the USB5 spec should be -- a set of a few simple rules for color coding ports and cables according to what they can and can't do.</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> <li id="cid699233" style="padding-left:18px;"> <h4><a>shadowjk</a> - Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - <a href="/comments/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released/699233" style="font-weight:normal; color:#8E8C8C;">link</a></h4> <span>Yes please!<br /><br />Mandatory marking of ports, some CLEARLY visible marking. As resident non-practicing computer geek, I was yesterday called to the conference room to assist s user struggling with a usb-c to dp cavle</span> <div class="clear"></div> </li> </ul> </div> <nav class="page_nav"> <ul> <li> <div class="a"><label for="">1</label></div> </li> <li> <a class="jqc" href="/Show/Index/15752?cPage=2&all=False&sort=0&page=1&slug=displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released#comments">2</a> </li> <li class="arrow"> <a class="jqc" href="/Show/Index/15752?cPage=2&all=False&sort=0&page=1&slug=displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released#comments">▶</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </section> <aside class="sidebar"> <div id="side_ad"> </div> <article class="pipeline_stories"> <div class="pipeline_title"> <h2><a href="/pipeline">PIPELINE STORIES</a> </h2> <a href="mailto:tips@anandtech.com">+ Submit News</a> <div class="clrflt"></div> </div> <strong> <a href="/show/21539/sabrent-rocket-nano-v2-external-ssd-review-phison-u18-in-a-solid-offering">Sabrent Rocket nano V2 External SSD Review: Phison U18 in a Solid Offering</a> <img src="/Content/images/dell_reveal_arrow.png" alt=""> </strong> <span><a href="/show/21535/nvidia-enables-g-sync-on-mediatek-s-scalers-makes-g-sync-monitors-more-accessible">MediaTek to Add NVIDIA G-Sync Support to Monitor Scalers, Make G-Sync Displays More Accessible</a></span> <span><a href="/show/21534/qualcomm-adds-snapdragon-7s-gen-3-midtier-snapdragon-gets-cortexa720-treatment">Qualcomm Adds Snapdragon 7s Gen 3: Mid-Tier Snapdragon Gets Cortex-A720 Treatment</a></span> <ul> <li ><a href="/show/21533/cxl-gathers-momentum-at-fms-2024">CXL Gathers Momentum at FMS 2024</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21532/western-digital-uses-fadu-controller-for-pcie-gen5-enterprise-ssds">Fadu's FC5161 SSD Controller Breaks Cover in Western Digital's PCIe Gen5 Enterprise Drives</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21531/pcisig-demonstrates-pcie-60-interoperability-at-fms-2024">PCI-SIG Demonstrates PCIe 6.0 Interoperability at FMS 2024</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21530/dapustor-and-memblaze-target-global-expansion-with-stateoftheart-enterprise-ssds">DapuStor and Memblaze Target Global Expansion with State-of-the-Art Enterprise SSDs</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21527/phison-enterprise-ssds-at-fms-2024-pascari-branding-and-accelerating-ai">Phison Enterprise SSDs at FMS 2024: Pascari Branding and Accelerating AI</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21529/intel-sells-its-arm-shares-reduces-stakes-in-other-companies">Intel Sells Its Arm Shares, Reduces Stakes in Other Companies</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21528/gskill-intros-low-latency-ddr5-modules-cl30-at-6400-mts">G.Skill Intros Low Latency DDR5 Memory Modules: CL30 at 6400 MT/s</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21526/samsungs-128-tbclass-bm1743-enterprise-ssd-displayed-at-fms-2024">Samsung's 128 TB-Class BM1743 Enterprise SSD Displayed at FMS 2024</a></li> <li ><a href="/show/21520/kioxia-demonstrates-optical-interface-ssds-for-data-centers">Kioxia Demonstrates Optical Interface SSDs for Data Centers</a></li> </ul> </article> <div id="side_ad2"> </div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> <div id="side_ad3"> </div> </aside> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="header_ad hide_resp" id="footer_ad"> </div> </section> <footer class="footer"> <div class="links"> <h2>LINKS</h2> <div class="clear"></div> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/home/about/">About</a></li> <li><a href="http://forums.anandtech.com">Forums</a></li> <li><a href="/rss/">RSS</a></li> <li><a href="/pipeline/">Pipeline News</a></li> <li><a href="/bench/">Bench</a></li> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/terms-conditions/">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/contact">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="javascript:void(0)" class="privacy-settings-link">Privacy Settings</a></li> <li id="privacy-link-container1"></li> <li id="privacy-link-container2"></li> </ul> </div> <div class="links"> <h2>TOPICS</h2> <div class="clear"></div> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/cpus">CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mb">Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/storage">SSD/HDD</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/gpus">GPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mobile">Mobile</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/enterprise">Enterprise & IT</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/smartphones">Smartphones </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/memory">Memory</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/casecoolingpsus">Cases/Cooling/PSU(s) </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="links link2"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/displays">Displays </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mac">Mac </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/systems">Systems </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/cloud-computing">Cloud </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/tradeshows">Trade Shows </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/guides">Guides</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="links"> <h2>FOLLOW</h2> <div class="clear"></div> <ul class="follow"> <li> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnandTech/"> <img src="/Content/images/icon-facebook2.png" alt="" /><span>Facebook</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="http://twitter.com/AnandTech"> <img src="/Content/images/icon-twitter2.png" alt="" /><span>Twitter</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/rss/"> <img src="/Content/images/icon-rss2.png" alt="" /><span>RSS</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="footer_left">The Most Trusted in Tech Since 1997</div> <div class="footer_right"> <ul> <li><a href="/home/about/">About</a></li> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/services/advertising/">Advertising</a></li> <li class="nomrgn"><a href="https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> </ul> <a href="https://futureplc.com"><img style="margin-top: 10px;" src="/Content/images/FutureFooterLogo-Transparent.png" alt="purch" /></a> <ul style="margin-top: 10px;"> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/">Visit Our Corporate Site</a></li> </ul> <span>Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.</span> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </footer> <div class="rsp_ft"> <div class="footer_resp"> <ul class="tabs"> <li class="click_btn"><a href="#">TOPICS</a></li> <li><a href="#">FOLLOW</a></li> <li class="right"><a href="#">ABOUT</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <section class="panes"> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="topic"> <span class="blk_arrow"><img src="/Content/images/gryBg1.png" alt="" /></span> <div class="topic_box"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/cpus">CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mb">Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/storage">SSD/HDD</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/gpus">GPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mobile">Mobile</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="topic_box"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/enterprise">Enterprise & IT</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/smartphones">Smartphones </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/memory">Memory</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/casecoolingpsus">Cases/Cooling/PSU(s) </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/displays">Displays </a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="topic_box no_mar"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/mac">Mac </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/systems">Systems </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/cloud-computing">Cloud </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/tradeshows">Trade Shows </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/guides">Guides</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="panes"> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="topic"> <span class="blk_arrow left"><img src="/Content/images/gryBg1.png" alt="" /></span> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnandTech/"><img src="/Content/images/icon-facebook2.png" alt="" />Facebook</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AnandTech"><img src="/Content/images/icon-twitter2.png" alt="" />Twitter</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="/rss/"><img src="/Content/images/icon-rss2.png" alt="" />RSS</a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="panes"> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="topic"> <span class="blk_arrow right"><img src="/Content/images/gryBg1.png" alt="" /></span> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="/home/about/">About</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="https://futureplc.com/services/advertising/">Advertising</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="https://futureplc.com/contact">Contact Us</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="https://futureplc.com/terms-conditions/">Terms of Use</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="/account/fullsite?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">Show Full Site</a> </div> <div class="follow_block ctr"> <a href="javascript:void(0)" class="privacy-settings-link">Privacy Settings</a> </div> <div id="privacy-link-container1" class="follow_block ctr"> </div> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="footer_copy">Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.</div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="mobi-footer"> <div class="mobile"><a href="#">BENCH</a></div> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="bench_box show_resp2"> <div class="bench_carousel show_resp2"> <ul> <li><a href="/Bench/CPU"><img src="/Content/images/bench_li_pic1.jpg" alt=""><span>CPU</span></a></li> <li><a href="/Bench/SSD"><img src="/Content/images/bench_li_pic2.jpg" alt=""><span>SSD</span></a></li> <li><a href="/Bench/GPU13"><img src="/Content/images/gpubench2013.jpg" alt=""><span>GPU<br>2013</span></a></li> <li><a href="/Bench/GPU12"><img src="/Content/images/bench_li_pic3.jpg" alt=""><span>GPU<br>2012</span></a></li> <li><a href="/Bench/Smartphone11"><img src="/Content/images/bench_li_pic5.jpg" alt=""><span>Smartphone<br>2011</span></a></li> <li><a href="/Bench/Mobile"><img src="/Content/images/bench_li_pic6.jpg" alt=""><span>Mobile</span></a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mobile"><a href="#">TOPICS</a></div> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="topic res_topic"> <div class="topic_box res_topicBox"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/cpus">CPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mb">Motherboards</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/storage">SSD/HDD</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/gpus">GPUs</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mobile">Mobile</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/enterprise">Enterprise & IT</a></li> <li><a href="/tag/smartphones">Smartphones </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/memory">Memory</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="topic_box no_mar res_topicBox"> <ul> <li><a href="/tag/casecoolingpsus">Cases/Cooling/PSU(s) </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/displays">Displays </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/mac">Mac </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/systems">Systems </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/cloud-computing">Cloud </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/tradeshows">Trade Shows </a></li> <li><a href="/tag/guides">Guides</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> <div class="mobile"><a href="#">FOLLOW</a></div> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="topic res_topic"> <div class="follow_block"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnandTech/"><img src="/Content/images/icon-facebook2.png" alt="">Facebook</a> </div> <div class="follow_block"> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/AnandTech"><img src="/Content/images/icon-twitter2.png" alt="">Twitter</a> </div> <div class="follow_block width"> <a href="/rss/"><img src="/Content/images/icon-rss2.png" alt="">RSS</a> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> <div class="mobile"><a href="#">ABOUT</a></div> <div class="topic_sec"> <div class="topic res_topic"> <div class="topic_box no_mar"> <ul> <li><a href="/home/about/">About</a></li> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/services/advertising/">Advertising</a></li> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://futureplc.com/contact">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/account/fullsite?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">Show Full Site</a></li> <li class="nomar">Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.</li> </ul> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="login_popup"> <div id="inlineLogin"> <h2>Log in</h2> <h3><span id="ilMessage">Don't have an account? <a href="/Account/Register?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">Sign up now</a></span></h3> <div class="login_left"> <form action="#"> <div class="login_form"> <label>Username</label> <input id="UserName" name="UserName" type="text" class="login_field"> <label>Password</label> <input id="Password" name="Password" type="password" class="login_field"> <label class="fl-lt" style="margin-right: 10px;" for="RememberMe">Remember Me</label> <input class="fl-lt" id="RememberMe" name="RememberMe" type="checkbox" value="true" /><input name="RememberMe" type="hidden" value="false" /> <input onclick="DoLogin(); return false;" name="" type="submit" class="login_btn" id="inlineLoginButton" value="LOG IN"><img alt="" src="/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif" id="ilAjaxLoader" /> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </form> <div id="ilLost"> <a href="/Account/ResetPassword?r=%2fshow%2f15752%2fdisplayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released">Lost your password?</a> </div> <div id="ilTerms"> Weâ€™ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Siteâ€™s updated <a target="_blank" href="https://futureplc.com/terms-conditions/">Terms of Use</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a>. </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="oop_ad"> </div> <div id="1x1"> </div>  <script id="omnitureProperties" language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> var g_o = {}; g_o.prop15 = "D=v15"; g_o.eVar15 = "Non Member"; g_o.prop35 = ""; g_o.pageName = "anand:edt:15752:DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4:pg1"; g_o.channel = "Editorial"; g_o.prop2 = "D=v2"; g_o.eVar2 = "Monitors"; g_o.prop4 = "D=v4"; g_o.eVar4 = "News"; g_o.prop5 = "D=v5"; g_o.eVar5 = "DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4"; g_o.prop6 = "D=v6"; g_o.eVar6 = "anand-edt-15752"; g_o.prop34 = "Monitors|Displays|DisplayPort|VESA|USB-C|USB4"; </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-1721979-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); dataLayer.push({ 'OmnitureVars': g_o }); (function () { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.anandtech.com/show/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released" }, "headline": "DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://images.anandtech.com/doci/15752/VESA%20DP%20Alt%20Mode%20Photo%202_678x452.jpg", "height": "452", "width": "678" }, "url": "https://www.anandtech.com/show/15752/displayport-alt-mode-20-spec-released", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Ryan Smith"}, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "@id" : "#AnandTechOrg", "name": "AnandTech", "url": "https://www.anandtech.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.anandtech.com/content/images/rss_logo.png", "width": "400", "height": "400" } }, "ArticleSection": "Monitors", "datePublished": "2020-04-29T19:00:00Z", "dateModified": "2020-04-29T19:00:00Z", "description": "As the tech industry gears up for the launch of the new USB4 standard, a few more parts first need to fall into place..." } </script>  </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0 Spec Released: Defining Alt Mode for USB4