Hi, Tesla, 1. Hmmm, ok, if as you say, "Display-Port is the preferred video-port-type on computers", then why does one have to get a DP to DVI/HDMI adapter to connect to a monitor?  2. Why, every pc needs to connect to a monitor, so why have to get some kind of adapter to do the job? 3. In other words, a pc with a DP can't connect to a monitor without an adapter.   Do they now equip pcs with a DP so that they can connect to older monitors with only DVD (or VGA), and HDMI (all three of which would need an adapter)? 4. And where you say it's selectable (4), I take it to mean that's like what I see in the control panel, under sounds.     So, the way this works is, you ask a question and we answer. If I have to write-up justifications for my answers, we are not going to get very far with your ultimate objective. 1-3 Most professional monitors built within the last 5 years, have a Display-Port input. That's a "native" connection with a simple DP cable. Additionally, pretty sure you can convert Display-Port to any lesser type with an inexpensive adapter and/or cable. 4. Correct. It appears as a sound-output with your other possible audio outputs. 
Hi, This may be a stupid question, but here goes. My XPS 8950 just arrived. I'm new to display ports and connecting them to monitors. I got a DP to DVI-I adapter and can connect the pc to one of three monitors I have. None of these monitors has HDMI. If I did use a monitor that had an HDMI input, and got a DP-HDMI adapter, I assume that I'd still have to use the audio ports on the back of the pc to get sound? I ask because although HDMI sends audio signals, what happens to those signals when they meet the input end of the monitor? Does the pc still send audio to its audio ports? TIA  
XPS 8950, onboard DP 1.4, HDMI, audio?