Digital flat panel
Digital Flat Panel (DFP) is an interface for the digital transmission of video data that should be used with TFT and LCD monitors.
PC manufacturers (Compaq, Acer, Fujitsu, Siemens-Nixdorf), graphics card manufacturers (ATI, S3, Matrox) and monitor manufacturers (ViewSonic, MAG Technology, Princeton, LG Electronics, Samsung, Lite-on, Compal Electronics, TECO Information Systems) together. DFP is based on P&D and was standardized by the VESA in February 1999 , but in contrast to the later DVI, it was not able to establish itself . Few graphics card and monitor models were produced for DFP.
The completely digital transmission results in quality advantages compared to the connection with a VGA or SCART cable. Since VGA or SCART cables carry an analog signal, there are two unnecessary signal conversions when connecting flat screens: from digital to analog at the video output and back from analog to digital in the monitor.
The DFP interface uses the so-called MDR connector (mini-D ribbon). There is a 20-pin and a 26-pin version of this connector. Thanks to a snap lock, it can be easily attached and does not need to be screwed tight. The 20-pin version is common, only this is listed in the VESA standard.
Like DVI, DFP uses the TMDS protocol for data transmission. DFP monitors can be connected to DVI graphics cards and vice versa with an adapter. With DFP, however, the resolution is limited to 1280 × 1024 pixels with a refresh rate of 60 Hz or 800 × 600 pixels with a refresh rate of 85 Hz; therefore DVI is backwards compatible with DFP. DFP works with a three-channel panel link at a bandwidth of 85 MHz and a maximum cable length of 5 m.
DFP supports the VESA standards DDC for device recognition and DPMS for energy management.