A display interface device 20 is provided which includes inputs for receiving video data words, the video data words including control codes for controlling the output format of a display, and a video clock signal received from an associated video controller. A first-in/first-out memory 30 is also provided with a video data word clocked into memory 30 by the first clock and clocked out of memory 30 by a second clock generated from a clock received from an associated graphics controller.