Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) is a VESA interface standard that reduces power to computer monitors, when not in use. DPMS defines four power management modes for monitors in idle state: on, stand-by, suspending and off. Using DPMS, the display controller (typically the video card or chip from which the monitor receives signals) sends a signal along two signal lines: horizontal sync (h-sync) and vertical sync (v-sync) -- to the monitor, instructing it to enter into one of the four power management states.

Related Terms

DPMS: Display Power Management Signaling