Samsung Electronics, a top maker of consumer electronics as well as computer devices and peripherals, has introduced the world’s first monitor that uses DisplayPort interconnection with a personal computer (PC). Usage of a new interface significantly simplified the design of the display, the company noted.

Samsung’s first DisplayPort-enabled monitor will be 30” in diagonal, supporting 2560x1600 resolution and will feature S-PVA panel. Other specs were not available at press time.

“We are pleased to be the first LCD manufacturer in the world to create a panel with a DisplayPort interface. We have received many inquiries from computer integrators interested in DisplayPort-based LCD panels, which prompted an acceleration of our R&D for this first DisplayPort LCD panel. Samsung was the only LCD panel maker participating in the original DisplayPort working (standards) group formed in 2004,” said Brian Berkeley, vice president, Samsung LCD Business, who is leading the company’s DisplayPort development efforts.

In a joint undertaking with Genesis Microchip, Samsung developed its 30” panel using a new four-lane, 2.7Gbps/lane interface chip. The interface technology processes 2560x1600 pixels of graphics data at up to 10 bits of color depth or 1.07 billion colors, a feat that would normally require at least three DVI or four LVDS interface chips, which means more complex and more expensive design.

The DisplayPort is designed to enable a common interface approach across both internal and external display connections. Internal connections include display interfaces within a notebook PC or within an LCD display. External display connections include the interface between a source device such as a desktop PC, set-top box, DVD player or game console, and a display device such as a direct view flat panel or projection display for viewing video and graphics. The DisplayPort standard will also include an optional digital audio capability allowing streaming of high definition digital audio-video content over the interface, and provides performance scalability to enable the next generation of displays featuring higher color depths, refresh rates, and display resolutions.

Mass production of Samsung’s 30” panel is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2008.