The HDMI Forum has just announced they’ve been working on HDMI specification Version 2.1 adding new video resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, as well as dynamic HDR, and increased bandwidth up to 48 Gbps for uncompressed 8K videos with HDR.
The new specification also includes support for eARC (enhanced audio return channel) with support for advanced audio formats such as object-based audio, and advanced audio signal control capabilities including device auto-detect. Game Mode VRR is another new feature from HDMI 2.1 with variable refresh rate to enable a 3D GPU to display the image at the moment it is rendered in order to reduce lag and frame tearing.
Beside 4K120 and 8K60, the new specification also handles 4K, 5K, 8K, and even 10K resolutions at various frame rates between 50Hz to 120 Hz, up to 10K @ 120 Hz. Higher resolutions and frame rates (>=4K @ 120Hz; >= 8K @ 60 Hz) will require the purchase of new HDMI 2.1 cables, and it’s not marketing scam like for 4K/HDMI 2.0 cables, as the increased bandwidth will indeed require new 48G cables. New cables with be backward compatible with earlier versions of the specification, so if you have a new 48G HDMI cable, it will work with your existing TV, set-top box, receiver, etc…
The new specification will be available to all HDMI 2.0 adopters when it is released early in Q2 2017. You’ll find a bit more info including a FAQ on HDMI 2.1 page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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