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Does DisplayPort carry sound as HDMI does? Specifically, I am looking at Lenovo Laptops T410 or T510.

I'm wondering if the spec permits for audio over DP, and if possible whether the Lenovo laptops I mentioned implement it.

Mikel
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Matt
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6 Answers6

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Yes, the DisplayPort spec is an audio/video interconnect spec. It can carry both audio and video over a single connection.

It is rare a laptop implements audio-out over a digital video interconnect. My MacBook Pros don't do it over their DisplayPort outputs. More recent MacBook models reportedly may support audio-over-DisplayPort.

Basil Bourque
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Ian C.
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    That is an important caveat. I think the lesson here is "The specs permit it, but it depends on manufacturer implementation". – horatio Jan 04 '11 at 19:31
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    My Mid 2010 13" MacBook Pro does output audio from the Mini DisplayPort. The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter must also support audio. – Jim Huang Jan 04 '11 at 20:20
  • @Jim Huang: interesting. Must be the HDMI-DP adaptor I'm using. It's an early 2010 15" MBPro and a late 2010 13" MBPro I have here. – Ian C. Jan 04 '11 at 21:03
  • As far as the specific machines in question, I believe Optimus enabled T-series machines are carrying audio over DisplayPort now. I haven't tried myself, though. (The other question is, of course, do you have something on the other end that will receive audio? Haha) – Shinrai Jan 04 '11 at 21:04
  • @IanC. If a laptop does NOT implement audio-out for the DisplayPort output, is there any way to upgrade it such that it does? – n00b Dec 03 '12 at 19:19
  • A laptop? Unlikely there's a way to upgrade it to support audio on DP. – Ian C. Dec 03 '12 at 19:59
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    [Modern Macs post 2009 support audio over DisplayPort](http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4241) – Evan Carroll Mar 13 '13 at 05:11
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    My MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) does indeed supply sound over the Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable to a BenQ 32-inch 4K monitor (model BL3201PH), much to my surprise. – Basil Bourque Nov 10 '16 at 03:24
  • Most DP to HDMI adapters in circulation are passive and require the source to drive the DP port like an HDMI output with an unusual connector. Both DP/HDMI allow audio, but hardware and drivers need to do their job. The (passive) cables _can not distinguish audio/video_ in the digital flow of data and thus all support audio. – Robert Siemer May 17 '23 at 16:34
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I also have Lenovo Thinkpad T410. Once you have a video playing, go to Control Panel, Sounds, Manage Audio Devices.

When you're in Manage Audio Devices, you'll see a list of devices and your TV speakers should be one of the options. Just choose it and set it as your default audio device and the sound should automatically come on the TV.

slhck
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George Gorman
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From displayport.org/faq:

Q. Does DisplayPort also support audio?

A. Yes, DisplayPort supports multi-channel audio and many advanced audio features. DisplayPort to HDMI adapters also include the ability to support HDMI audio.

I wound up on this page however because my DisplayPort audio wasn't working. After searching many sites, I learned that the video driver (vs. audio driver) is responsible for the DisplayPort audio; while updating my video drivers (Intel HD Graphics 4600) I specifically noticed in the log it installed an Intel audio driver as well. After this driver update I'm able to see the TV/audio device listed under Control Panel->Sound (LG TV/Intel Display Audio), as well as under Device Manager as Intel Display Audio (in addition to my regular audio device).

As others have mentioned, it's up to the manufacturer to support/implement audio over DisplayPort. Other research has indicated that the DisplayPort to HDMI adapter must also support audio. Odds are if you're using a laptop with a common video device like Intel or AMD, they implemented audio over the DisplayPort and you just need the drivers for it.

Bottom Line: Update Video Drivers.

Brian
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Clipped from Wikipedia (buyer beware, but this type of technical information tends to be truthier). It looks like it can be used as a passive pass-through to HDMI with an adapter.

Relationship with HDMI

[...]

The DisplayPort website states that DisplayPort is expected to complement HDMI.[14] DisplayPort can emit HDMI video and audio using passive adapters connected to Dual-mode ports, and supports HDCP content protection used in the HDMI standard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#Compatibility_with_HDMI.2FDVI

horatio
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I just got it to work on my macbook.. Just had to tell the MAc to send audio over Display Port vs headphone jack under settings > Sound > output.

user193796
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I can do audio out on my MacBook Air when using a Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter. Thunderbolt is a combination of DisplayPort and PCIe and is the same formfactor as MiniDisplayPort. When using a DisplayPort cable (MiniDisplayPort receptacle on one end, fullsize on the other, I can only do video, System Preferences > Sound does not give me the option to output sound to my TV/Monitor (this is the same monitor that I can output sound to when using a HDMI adapter, a Dell 3008WFP).

From my testing it may technically be possible to do audio over the DisplayPort protocol, ports and cables, but on a MacBook Air 13 inch, Mid 2011 model it is not possible with DisplayPort - it is possible with HDMI (presumably it is using PCIe-to-HDMI and not translating DisplayPort-to-HDMI).

wherever.i.may.roam
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