VIA Labs Unveils VL605 USB-C to HDMI 2.1 Converter, Expanding Connectivity Options

Via Labs, Inc. (VLI), a prominent supplier of USB4, SuperSpeed USB, USB Power Delivery Controllers, and now Display Controllers, has announced the commencement of mass production and immediate availability of the VIA Labs VL605 USB-C to HDMI 2.1 Protocol Converter. This converter has achieved USB-IF certification for USB Power Delivery 3.1 with Extended Power Range (EPR) support, as well as HDMI 2.1 FRL certification. It has been listed on the USB-IF Integrator’s List under TID: 10462.

The VIA Labs VL605 is an innovative single-chip USB-C to HDMI 2.1 Protocol Converter that offers modern display features and a highly integrated, low-power design. It is specifically optimized for USB-C video dongles and multifunction docks, featuring a two-port USB PD 3.1 controller that supports pass-through charging at up to 240W when EPR is enabled. With just a single VL605, users can convert a DisplayPort input to HDMI 2.1 at resolutions of up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz, all while charging the connected host device. The VL605 also supports HDR and is compatible with Adaptive Sync from the DisplayPort standard and AMD’s FreeSync technology, seamlessly converting these features into HDMI 2.1’s Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).

Products incorporating the VL605 Protocol Converter can enhance gaming experiences by delivering higher quality and smoother visuals, while also expanding peripheral connectivity and enabling faster charging. As mainstream home game consoles and computer hosts increasingly support HDMI 2.1, displays with HDMI 2.1 enhancements such as higher resolution, refresh rate, VRR, and HDR support have become more common. HDMI 2.1 offers a significant bandwidth improvement over HDMI 2.0, with up to 48Gbps compared to 18Gbps, enabling higher 4K refresh rates of 120Hz, 144Hz, and even up to 240Hz with Display Stream Compression (DSC). The VRR feature of HDMI 2.1 dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on game conditions, resulting in smoother gameplay with reduced screen tearing and perceived input lag.

The VL605 Protocol Converter’s integrated DisplayPort receiver supports HBR3 data rates of up to 32.4Gbps in 4-lane mode. The HDMI source supports both FRL and TMDS modes, with peak bandwidths of 48Gbps and 18Gbps, respectively. It also supports various color formats, including RGB and YCbCr, as well as surround sound audio with up to 8 channels of LPCM at 192kHz, in addition to other compressed audio formats. The VL605 features a built-in DSC decoder and supports Autonomous Mode and Source-Controlled Mode as outlined in the latest DisplayPort 2.1 specification, providing signal sources with enhanced control capabilities. Furthermore, the VL605 can perform secure firmware updates and protect against malicious firmware code attacks by leveraging the built-in security engine supporting ECDSA verification.

Wayne Chang, Director of PM at VIA Labs, highlights the adaptability of the VL605 Protocol Converter. “DisplayPort and HDMI are the industry’s leading video standards and are intertwined with the USB-C ecosystem. When combined with VLI’s diverse USB Hub controllers, the VL605 can create a multitude of USB-C multifunction dock applications with USB PD charge-through function at different USB speeds, enabling a wide range of products. Future demand for VL605’s capabilities is bright. As the latest mobile chips from Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek introduce hardware Ray Tracing capabilities, AAA games are being adapted for mobile platforms. With the VL605’s dual USB PD ports and HDMI 2.1 output capabilities, a mobile phone can not only serve as a handheld gaming device but also seamlessly transition into a gaming console at home. It can charge the phone while projecting to a large 4K/8K TV screen, supporting a new gaming experience.”

The VIA Labs VL605 USB-C to HDMI 2.1 Protocol Converter is currently available and shipping in quantity.

Background Information

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About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor prowess, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About Apple: Apple Inc., known for its iconic products, was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976. The company has since revolutionized the technology landscape with innovations like the Macintosh computer, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and more. Renowned for its emphasis on design, user experience, and ecosystem integration, Apple's devices and software have made a profound impact on various industries. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Apple remains a global technology leader.

  

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About MediaTek: MediaTek Inc. is a Taiwanese semiconductor company that designs and manufactures a wide range of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for various consumer electronics, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, wearables, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Founded in 1997, MediaTek has become a prominent player in the semiconductor industry, known for its innovative chipsets that offer a balance of performance, power efficiency, and affordability.

  

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About Qualcomm: Qualcomm, a leading American global semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company, has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern technology landscape. Founded in 1985, Qualcomm has been at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the realm of mobile communications and wireless technology. The company's advancements have been instrumental in the evolution of smartphones, powering devices with their Snapdragon processors that deliver exceptional performance and efficiency. With a strong commitment to research and development, Qualcomm has enabled the growth of 5G technology, paving the way for faster and more connected experiences.

  

Technology Explained

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DisplayPort: DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is primarily used to connect a computer to a monitor or other display device such as a television. DisplayPort is capable of delivering high-resolution video and audio, as well as providing power to connected devices. It is also capable of daisy-chaining multiple displays together, allowing for a single connection to multiple monitors. This makes DisplayPort a popular choice for gamers, video editors, and other users who require multiple displays. DisplayPort is also used in many laptops and tablets, allowing for a single connection to a monitor or other display device. It is also used in many modern TVs, allowing for a single connection to a computer or other device.

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FreeSync: FreeSync is a technology developed by AMD that helps create an amazing gaming or multimedia experience by synchronizing the refresh rate of a display device with the frame rate of a graphics device. It reduces input lag, stutter, and tearing of the screen, allowing for smooth, clear visuals. The technology is now widely used in PC monitors and televisions to provide an enhanced gaming experience. FreeSync helps reduce gaming input latency, meaning gamers can have better, faster reactions, and more accurate gameplay. This technology is highly beneficial for competitive gamers and is one of the reasons why PCs can still compete with consoles. Additionally, FreeSync helps reduce eye strain, allowing users to game or watch movies more comfortably for longer periods of time.

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HDR: High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a technology used to create images and videos with a greater range of luminance levels than what is possible with standard digital imaging. It allows for a greater range of colors and details to be captured in an image, resulting in a more realistic and vibrant look.

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Ray Tracing: Ray tracing is an advanced rendering technique used in computer graphics to simulate the way light interacts with objects in a virtual environment. It traces the path of light rays as they travel through a scene, calculating how they interact with surfaces, materials, and lighting sources. By simulating the complex behaviors of light, ray tracing produces highly realistic and accurate visual effects, including lifelike reflections, shadows, and refractions. This technology enhances the overall visual quality of images and animations by accurately replicating how light behaves in the real world, resulting in a more immersive and visually stunning digital experience.

Ray Tracing Website: https://www.nvidia.com/en-gb/geforce/technologies/ray-tracing/

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Refresh Rate: The technology refresh rate is a measure of how often a computer system is updated with new hardware and software. It is an important factor in the computer industry, as it determines how quickly a system can be upgraded and how well it can handle new applications. The refresh rate is usually measured in years, and it is important for businesses to keep their systems up to date in order to remain competitive. A higher refresh rate means that the system can handle more applications and can be upgraded more quickly. This can be beneficial for businesses that need to keep up with the latest technology trends. Additionally, a higher refresh rate can help reduce the cost of maintaining a system, as newer hardware and software can be more efficient and cost-effective.

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USB-C: USB-C is a new type of USB connector that is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers. It is a reversible connector, meaning it can be plugged in either way, and it is capable of transferring data at speeds up to 10 Gbps. It is also capable of providing up to 100 watts of power, making it ideal for charging laptops and other devices. USB-C is quickly becoming the go-to connector for connecting peripherals to computers, such as external hard drives, monitors, and printers. It is also being used to connect smartphones and tablets to computers, allowing for faster data transfer and charging. USB-C is quickly becoming the industry standard for connecting devices to computers, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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VRR: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is a technology primarily used in displays, such as computer monitors and televisions, to improve the viewing experience, especially for gamers. VRR synchronizes the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the content being shown. VRR technologies, like AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync (for PC monitors), and HDMI VRR or VRR through software updates (for TVs and gaming consoles), allow the display to adapt its refresh rate dynamically to match the frame rate of the content. For example, if a game is running at 45 frames per second (fps), the display will adjust its refresh rate to 45Hz, eliminating tearing and reducing stuttering.