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On a computer monitor, what does a "DP→" symbol mean?

e.g. a monitor has HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB sockets. There's also a second Display Port socket labeled with "DP" and a right facing arrow. What is that

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  • I would check the manual for the monitor (or would if you posted the model), but I am guessing that tha is displayport OUT. You can chain multiple monitors that way with computer DP out -> Monitor 1 DP in. Monitor 1 DP out -> Monitor 2 DP in and so on.
    – Hennes
    Sep 15, 2020 at 22:46

1 Answer 1

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It means it's a port for an "active cable".

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  • For these types of cables, the DisplayPort device can provide power to the cable.

  • The primary benefit seems to be that this enables the cable to be much longer and also use thinner wires/be more flexible.

Here's an excerpt from the referenced Engadget article:

Active cables boost and equalize the attenuated DisplayPort signal, allowing cables to reach unprecedented lengths and enabling the use of thinner wire gauges when compared to normal passive cables

and one from the referenced electronicdesign.com article:

To solve the problem of long cables, one can create “active cables,” which incorporate a signal-conditioning silicon chip into the cable connector.

  • Active cables are unidirectional, so the correct end must be connected to the source (video output) and sink (monitor).

  • Note that searching for "active DisplayPort cable" will turn up many "active" adapters that convert from DVI, VGA, etc. to DisplayPort. These aren't the same type of cable.

References:

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