Two leading suppliers of graphics cores that control the lion's share of the graphics adapters in the world, two world's largest display manufacturers and a large maker of personal computers on Wednesday announced intentions to accelerate adoption of scalable and lower power digital interfaces such as DisplayPort and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) into the PC. The plan means death sentence for previous-generation analogue display interfaces.

Advanced Micro Devices and Intel expect that analog display outputs, such as D-sub and the low voltage differential signaling technology (LVDS) panel interface would no longer be supported in their product lines by 2015. HDMI has increasingly been included in new PCs for easy connection to consumer electronics devices. DisplayPort is expected to become the single PC digital display output for embedded flat panels, PC monitors and projectors. Unfortunatelly, the technology is attacked by Rambus, which claims it owns patents that enable DP.

AMD plans to begin phasing out legacy interfaces, starting with the removal of native LVDS output from most products in 2013. The company also plans to remove native VGA output starting in 2013, with expansion to all AMD products by 2015. This would mean DVI-I support will be eliminated in the same timeframe. Intel plans to end support of LVDS in 2013 and VGA in 2015 in its PC client processors and chipsets. Together AMD and Intel controlled over 77% of graphics adapters market in Q3 2010, according to Mercury Research. End of support from their side practically mean the end for many outdated interconnections in the PC world.

DisplayPort and HDMI allow for slimmer laptop designs, and support higher resolutions with deeper color than D-sub/VGA – a technology which is more than 20 years old. Additionally, as laptops get smaller and their embedded flat panel resolutions increase for more immersive experiences, the power advantages, bi-directional communications and design efficiency benefits of DisplayPort make it a superior choice over LVDS, the previous standard for LCD panel inputs.

While the large installed base of existing D-sub/VGA monitors and projectors will likely keep video graphics array (VGA) on PC back panels beyond 2015, leading PC makers are in strong support of this transition. The DisplayPort connector interface provides backwards and forwards compatibility by supporting VGA and DVI output via certified adapters, while also providing new capabilities such as single connector multi-monitor support.

Leading display panel manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics LCD Business and LG Display also are in strong support of this transition.

Tags: AMD, ATI, , Intel, Samsung, LG Electronics, Lenovo