VESA Completes Flat Panel Connector Standard

Computergram International, March 30, 1999

VESA, the Video Electronics Standards Association, has now adopted the Digital Flat Panel standard so that a single video connector for digital LCD monitors and projectors is adopted across the industry. The final version of the standard has now been ratified and is available immediately, the San Jose, California-based industry association said.

Early public supporters of the standard include 3dfx Interactive Inc, 3Dlabs Inc, 3M Corp, AMP Inc, ATI, Compaq Computer Corp, Creative Labs Inc, Matrox Graphics Inc, Molex, Pixelworks, Princeton Graphics Inc, S3, Taiko Denki Co Ltd., VideoLogic Plc and ViewSonic Corp. Establishing the standard resolves some of the arguments that slowed down adoption of early entrant flat panel display systems. The simple digital video connector also promises to maintain compatibility with the future Digital Display Working Group digital video interface connector. The DDWG was formed last September with the backing of Intel Corp and Microsoft Corp in an attempt to push forward the standards effort. Japan's Digital Interface Standards for Monitors (DISM) group agreed to work with DDWG last November. The DFP standard uses the TMDS transition minimized differential signaling electrical standard also chosen by DDWG, along with the VESA Display DDC data channel standard and a low-cost 20-pin physical interface to the flat panel display. It is available for free download from the VESA web site at www.vesa.org.