The release of Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification, which is now available to all HDMI 2.0 adopters, supports a range of higher video resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K.
Released today by the HDMI Forum, Inc., the new specification also adds support for Dynamic HDR formats and offers a bandwidth capability of up to 48Gbps (HDMI 2.0 offered up to 18Gbps).
Supporting the 48Gbps bandwidth is the new Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. The cable ensures high-bandwidth dependent features are delivered including uncompressed 8K video with HDR. It features low EMI (electro-magnetic interference) which reduces interference with nearby wireless devices. The cable is backwards compatible and can be used with the existing installed base of HDMI devices.
Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the specification, and was developed by the HDMI Forum's Technical Working Group.
HDMI Specification 2.1 Features Include:
- Higher video resolutions support a range of high resolutions and faster refresh rates including 8K60Hz and 4K120Hz. Resolutions up to 10K are also supported for commercial AV, and industrial and specialty usages.
- Dynamic HDR support ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast and wider color gamuts - on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis.
- The Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable supports the 48G bandwidth for uncompressed HDMI 2.1 feature support. The cable also features very low EMI emission and is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI Specification and can be used with existing HDMI devices.
- eARC simplifies connectivity, provides greater ease of use, and supports the most advanced audio formats (advanced high-bitrate home theater audio formats, object-based audio, uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1, and 32-channel uncompressed
audio). It ensures full compatibility between audio devices and upcoming HDMI 2.1 products.
- Enhanced refresh rate features ensure an added level of smooth and seamless motion and transitions for gaming, movies and video. They include:
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces or eliminates lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid gameplay. It syncs
up source and display with continually changing refresh rate, up to a frame-by-frame basis
- Quick Media Switching (QMS) for movies and video eliminates the delay that can result in blank screens before content is displayed. With Quick Media Switching (QMS) a source device can instantly switch the resolution or frame rate of its content without any display blackout, such as when switching between 60fps and 24fps video.
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduces latency for smoother no-lag gaming, and real-time interactive virtual reality. Each video frame travels faster from the source even though the source does not increase its frame rate and results in deceasing latency. This reduces lag for gaming, real-time interactive virtual reality, and enables more responsive karaoke
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) allows the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity. Auto Low Latency Mode enables latency mode auto-switching from applications such as movies and video to low latency applications such as gaming and real-time interactive virtual reality. The latency setting is optimized for whatever application is used.
The HDMI 2.1 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) will be published in stages during Q1-Q3 2018.