Synaptics® Incorporated announced the Spyder family, the single-chip DisplayPort/USB Type-C-to-HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 video protocol converters with Power Delivery and Billboard features on chip. The ultra-low-power, tightly integrated solutions address the growing user need to efficiently connect high-resolution, ultra-wide displays with variable refresh rates (VRRs) to PCs, tablets, mobile phones and gaming consoles over DisplayPort or USB Type-C interfaces. Already verified by Intel, AMD and NVIDIA, the small-form-factor ICs provide OEMs and ODMs a compact, cost-effective path to HDMI 2.1 (VMM7100) or HDMI 2.0 (VMR7100) connectivity using either adapters/dongles or integrated on notebook or PC motherboards.

According to research firm OMDIA, the TAM for discrete protocol adapters is expected to total 35 million for 2021. Adding adapter usage in PC motherboards, game consoles, and OTT devices, Synaptics estimates that in 2022 the unit number will reach 80.8 million, and that DisplayPort or USB Type-C to HDMI 2.1 converters will comprise over half of that. To meet this demand, OEMs and ODMs need to implement designs quickly to accommodate tight time-to-market schedules—while lowering cost and power consumption.

Spyder features high-bandwidth video coupled with Dynamic HDR content transport—including Dolby Vision®—and variable frame rate modes. These ensure the highest quality video in terms of pixel depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and color gamuts for professional content creators and gamers on their chosen displays. Availability: The Spyder family of products are available now in mass production.

The VMM7100 is a DisplayPort/USB Type-C-to-HDMI 2.1 protocol converter; the VMR7100 is a DisplayPort/USB Type-C-to-HDMI 2.0 protocol converter.