What is HDMI 2.1? The new standard for HDMI connectors was confirmed in November 2017, but it hasn't made it into mainstream TV equipment yet. In this case, it will be a great step for the audiovisual industry and for viewers who want to get the most out of their TV series, movies, shows, and game consoles. When the High Definition Multimedia Interface (or HDMI) first hit the scene, everyone was delighted that they didn't have to use bulky scart connectors or confusing component video cables. Instead, HDMI offered high-definition video with a connector that was slightly larger than a standard USB connector. Over the years, the HDMI standard has been continually improved, with additional functionality added as the needs of televisions have changed. HDMI 2.1 is the next step in this process. The headlining feature here is support for 8K content at 60 frames per second, but there are also a number of minor features that add up to a much higher standard, like support for variable refresh rates. , Dynamic HDR and fast media switching, which should make it faster than ever to switch between devices connected to your TV. Here's an overview of everything that needs to happen with the new standard.
4K / 8K
HDMI 2.1 resolution and refresh rate
The new HDMI 2.1 cables will enable faster refresh rates, including 8K resolution video at 60 frames per second and 4K resolution video at 120 frames per second, and this is the second feature that will be the real selling point for gamers and enthusiasts. of the home theater, at least at least premiere.
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HDMI 2.1 “paves the way” for TV and VR industries “We've dramatically increased resolutions and frame rates,” Jeff Park, director of marketing for HDMI Licensing, said at TechRadar at CES 2017, adding that HDMI Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be a powerhouse for 8K TV content. . "NHK will push the 8K120 as a true broadcast transmission, and many consumer electronics manufacturers want to achieve this, so we are raising the issue to give the industry flexibility. Here are practical tips." While keeping HDMI at the At the cutting edge of technology, HDMI 2.1 can go further, supporting resolutions up to 10K at 120Hz, although this kind of capability is far from being supported by commercial devices.
HDMI 2.1: do I really need 8K anyway?
You may be skeptical about whether you need 8K-capable hardware and connectors. And maybe not: most of the content you watch on your TV will be in SDR or HD, and the industry is still adjusting to the multitude of 4K-compatible packages coming to market. Isn't everything preventative? Even if 8K TV isn't on your radar, HDMI is considering its uses in virtual reality, says Park: "8K content will have to follow, but it's not just linear content these days, it's VR," he told us. "VR is aiming for very high resolution and very high frame rates, and one of the goals the industry is talking about for VR applications is 8K at 240Hz." It's not actually in the HDMI 2.1 spec, but it's doable in the next spec, said Park, who thinks it's even possible some broadcasters could ignore 4K streams entirely and shoot 8K straight out. You were warned.
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8K TVs are coming, but HDMI 2.1 also focuses on virtual reality
Gaming
VRR game mode
The HDMI 2.1 Game Mode VRR feature is for anything that involves real-time interaction. VRR is short for Variable Refresh Rate, which means less image lag, stutter, and image tearing similar to the effect achieved by FreeSync and G-Sync on the PC platform. This is great news for gamers as HDMI 2.1 will enable a 3D graphics processor to render and display images in real time, resulting in smoother gaming experience and more detail. Again, this will find its greatest use in the world of virtual reality. "VRR means no lag and a more immersive experience you need to play, whether it's traditional gaming or a cinematic VR 'on the track' experience," Park said. "Increased loyalty is necessary for VR to be truly immersive."
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8K 360° capture devices like the Insta360 One X are becoming more common (Image credit: Future) Although not a final phase, HDMI 2.1 will bring compelling VR experiences closer. "But that will have an immediate impact on all gaming applications," adds Park. "Whether it's 480p or 8K gaming, it doesn't matter - you'll get immediate feedback and interaction with HDMI 2.1." Another feature that will bring great benefits to gamers is Quick Frame Transport (QFT), which promises to reduce latency, which is great news for fast-paced games or online multiplayer.
HDMI 2.1: what is Dynamic HDR?
Given the growing popularity of HDR, HDMI 2.1 brought by Dynamic HDR is perhaps the biggest news for home theater enthusiasts. Basically, this means that the finer values of depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and wider color ranges can be delivered to your TV in a much more nuanced way. "Today, HDR is done by taking the average HDR values over an entire movie, so even if it still benefits, it's not applied perfectly to every scene," says Park. "Dynamic HDR allows HDR metadata to be applied as precisely as frame-by-frame, or more specifically, scene-by-scene." Frame-by-frame HDR would take a long time to produce, but it is possible to achieve on a scene-by-scene basis. Either way, HDR is about to make a lot more of an impact.
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HDMI 2.1 will bring HDR scene by scene
ARC / eARC
HDMI 2.1: what is eARC?
It's not just about TVs; Sound bars, AV amplifiers and other audio equipment will also benefit from HDMI 2.1, but this will mean upgrading all your equipment. In recent generations, HDMI cables have had an Audio Return Channel (ARC), which means that audio can be sent back and forth between a TV and audio equipment. This essentially allows a display to send its own audio, perhaps from a built-in Netflix app, to a soundbar or surround sound system, bypassing its own speakers. AV amplifiers and other audio equipment will also benefit from HDMI 2.1, although this will mean upgrading all your equipment. The Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) is nothing more than a simple update to keep up with changes in audio codecs, especially to include the new object-based audio codecs, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. "EARC dramatically increases bandwidth," says Park. "Previously, it was limited to two-channel PCM or legacy Dolby Digital or DTS audio, but with eARC, this reverse channel can now support much higher-bandwidth audio, including Dolby True HD, DTS HD, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other object-based audio with much higher bandwidths."
HDMI 2.1: what is a 48G cable?
This is to define a new specification for the speed of an HDMI cable, with so-called 48G cables (just a working title for now) offering 48Gbps bandwidth to send uncompressed 8K video, with HDR, in a HDMI 2.1 cable. So why do we need a 48G cable? "Because we're carrying so much data now, we've gone from 18 Gbps on HDMI 2.0 to 48 Gbps on HDMI 2.1," says Park. "Today we have 'standard speed' and 'high speed' HDMI cables, and 48G will be tied to that."
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Incoming HDMI 2.1 cables will support 48 Gbit/s (Image credit: Shutterstock) The same goes for the compliance tests that every HDMI 2.1 cable will have to pass to be labeled as such. Backwards compatible with the HDMI specification and suitable for use with existing HDMI devices.
Compatible TVs
What TVs already have HDMI 2.1?
Starting in 2020, HDMI 2.1 starts to drop in the high-end ranges of today's major TV brands. Many of these sets have just one HDMI 2.1 port (with two or three HDMI 2.0 inputs next to it), as with the new-for-this-year Samsung Q950TS 8K QLED. All of Samsung's 4K QLED sets this year will have an HDMI 2.1 port, which means you'll have a few options. Others are more generous with their support, with the LG CX OLED sporting four HDMI 2.1 ports, but with 4-bit 120K/10Hz passthrough instead of the full 12-bit. This shouldn't really affect your screen image, as the CX only has a 10-bit panel anyway, but it should be noted that there are other LG TVs that support full 12-bit HDMI, such as the ZX OLED. Most 4K TVs in 2020 won't have HDMI 2.1, and it's likely to be a few more years before its use becomes more standard. Sony's new O8 A8H, on the other hand, doesn't have HDMI 2.1 ports, though Sony's gaming arm released the 5K/4HZ-capable PS120 console later this year.