Displays - Peripheral (Minimum & Additional) Specifications

Version: 2.0
Last updated: 2026-03-13

Version: 2.0
Last updated: 2026-03-13

Overview

This specification document is divided into two sections:

1. Minimum requirements describe the criteria for a peripheral category to be compatible with ChromeOS.

2. Additional requirements describe the criteria for certification.

Legend

Product Verb Development Action
"MUST" Mandatory product requirement
"SHOULD" Optional recommendation
"MAY" Nice to have

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Display Types

This document covers external displays that connect via HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB Type-C. This specification does not cover displays with embedded USB ports or embedded MST hubs.

Hardware

Connection

  • Included cable(s) MUST meet the minimum version of the connectivity standard supported by the display.

  • All cables and adapters included in the box MUST meet Cable requirements and WWCB Power Adapters requirements.

Product Requirements

USB-C

  • If the display supports USB-C, it MUST pass the associated requirements in the WWCB Dock specifications.

Protocols and Compliance

  • If the display implements HDMI, then the display MUST implement HDMI Forum spec and pass HDMI Forum Compliance Test Suite for the HDMI version implemented.

  • If the display implements DisplayPort (DP), then the display MUST implement VESA spec and pass VESA Link Layer and PHY conformance for the DP version implemented.

DPRX

  • If the display supports DisplayPort

    • The display MUST support down spread (De-spreading of the Regenerated Stream Clock)
      • Display MUST indicate it is capable of supporting down-spread link frequency in the DPCD by setting MAX_DOWNSPREAD bit.

Identification

  • For DP connections, EDID MUST pass VESA EDID Compliance Test Specification v1.4 or later.

HDCP

  • The display MUST support HDCP 1.4 or later.

  • If the display is a 4K display or greater, the display MUST support HDCP 2.2 or later.

Audio

  • If the display supports audio input, the display MUST have infoframe support

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Along with the Minimum requirements, a peripheral MUST meet below mandatory requirements to achieve certification.

Protocols and Compliance

  • If the display supports DisplayHDR, the display MUST meet the VESA DisplayHDR specification for the HDR level supported and pass VESA DisplayHDR compliance test suite.

Hardware and Visual Design

Connection

  • [Mandatory] Work with any ChromeOS device or with one or more adapters, the adapter(s) MUST meet WWCB: Type-C Video Dongle Requirements.

Product Requirements

Protocols and Compliance

  • [Mandatory] All inputs of the display MUST support the advertised resolution and refresh rate in the Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) specification.

Identification

  • [Mandatory] The RGBW color coordinates in EDID MUST agree with the display color spec typical value

  • [Mandatory] The display MUST output sRGB if it advertises sRGB in the EDID Feature Support Detail byte (18h)

  • [Mandatory] The display MUST advertise one and only one mode marked as preferred per EDID decode level

  • [Mandatory] The EDID MUST report the accurate physical dimensions for the display panel not including bezel in centimeters

  • [Optional] The preferred mode SHOULD be the default resolution of the panel ● [Optional] All preferred modes SHOULD match the native aspect ratio of the panel

HDCP

  • [Optional] The display SHOULD have no discernable flicker (0 frames) when HDCP is enabled or disabled

  • The display SHOULD support the same HDCP version(s) on all display inputs.

HDR

  • [Mandatory] If the display supports HDR, the display MUST have infoframe support
  • [Mandatory] If the display supports HDR, the display MUST support a 10 bit color space or later. ● [Mandatory] If the display supports HDR, the display MUST have a minimum 400 nits peak luminance

Power

  • [Mandatory] When the display is put to sleep by the connected Chromebook, then it MUST wake when the connected Chromebook sends the wake signal.

Audio

  • [Optional] If the display supports both built-in speaker and 3.5mm headphone output, it SHOULD support switching between them via either user-directed or automatic methods

  • [Optional] If the display supports audio input, the display SHOULD at least support 2ch, 16-bit, 48K sampling rate audio format, and report the format in EDID

Revision History

Date Version Notes
2026-03-13 2.0 Update documentation
2024-02-01 1.0.1 Initial publication on Google Developers platform.
2023-08-18 1.0 Initial publication.