20 ft DisplayPort Cable with Latches - M/M

You should only use video converters and extenders if it is absolutely necessary to do so. In many cases, most video converters and extenders are not necessary if you purchase the correct cable.

The following table lists the maximum length of cable for common video standards.

Note: StarTech.com offers cables longer than what is listed above, including active cables, which typically include built-in active signal boosters that allow for longer cables. Active cables are specifically designed to exceed the suggested maximum lengths and are tested at the listed specifications (for example, the maximum listed resolution).

Video adapters

Video adapters passively adapt a cable from one connector type to another. Video adapters do not change the signal type, or change the video standard.

Examples of common applications for adapters include the following:

• DVI-I to VGA

• RCA to BNC

• Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort

• Couplers (female to female, or male to male)

Note: You can use a coupler to extend a cable for a short distance. However, each coupler that you use can introduce signal loss, which degrades the signal quality.

Video converters

Video converters actively process and change the signal type from one video standard and convert it to another standard. They are typically used to convert digital to analog and vice versa, but can be used to convert a digital signal to another digital video standard (for example, HDMI to DisplayPort).

Video converters work over short distances from the source to the destination: up to 15 feet or 3 meters.

Video extenders

Video extenders convert an input signal to a higher voltage for transmission over longer distances and then convert the input signal back to the original video standard. The input and the output signal will match on a video extender, as the same video standard is maintained end-to-end. If a cable is extended with adapters or converters, the signal quality degrades.

Note: For more information on using a video adapter or converter with a video extender, see the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/video_signal_converters_convert_then_extend.

When you troubleshoot issues with a DisplayPort cable, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• DisplayPort cable

• Video source

• Video destination

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the DisplayPort cable, video source, and video destination in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

• Use a different DisplayPort cable, video source, and video destination in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test the DisplayPort cable, video source, and video destination it is recommended that you do the following:

• Verify that the source resolution matches the capabilities of the video source destination. For example, if the destination is only capable of 1920 x 1080, then the source cannot output 2560 x 1600, as that exceeds the capabilities of the video source destination.

• Test at a lower resolution or a lower refresh rate, for example, 1024 x 768.

• If you are using 4K resolutions, test with a shorter cable.

If you are experiencing issues with the audio over DisplayPort, make sure that the following is true:

• The source is set up to output audio over DisplayPort.

• The destination is compatible with the source's audio format.

• The destination volume has been raised.