HDMI 2.1: worth the hype?

About four years ago, the HDMI Organisation provided us with its latest HDMI 2.1 technology. The recent version doubled and somewhere tripled the previous version’s characteristics and is claimed to be the most progressive next-generation technology so far. So let’s see what makes this improvement so remarkable.

What’s HDMI?

HDMI ( High-Definition Media Interface) is a physical connector that transmits video and audio from the media source to the connected video source, a computer monitor or a TV. There are several HDMI versions, one of which is HDMI 2.0 – the one that you probably still use.

HDMI 2.1 technology was announced in January 2017 and is perceived as one of the most ambitious updates in HDMI’s history. The main hype around the new HDMI is due to its bandwidth capacity – 48 Gbps compared to 18 Gbps of its predecessor.

(Image: HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc)

What is new?

Even though by 2017 the technology was ahead of its time, more TVs that can support 2.1 are still in production these years. In 2020 manufacturers began a solid production of brand-new TVs with compatible 2.1 built-in versions, like Sony X900H, Samsung Q800T QLED, LG NANO99 8k, etc. The reason for this is HDMI’s truly impressive capabilities. The latest version mainly plans to support 8K TV resolution and even 10K as potential next-gen. Moreover, it can easily show 60 Hz (frames per second rate) for 8K TVs and support 4K resolution with 120 Hz, comparing with HDMI 2.0 capacity that is limited to 30 frames per second for 8K.

(Image: HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc)

But that’s not the reason for the whole bustle around the technology. The main advantage obviously stands by the mentioned 48 Gbps that was a bigger boost than all the previous versions combined. These numbers mean that more data can be transmitted via cable. With this rate, TVs and gaming monitors will provide better and broader video and audio quality.

(Image credits: HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc)

However, bandwidth is not the only improvement of this simple cable. HDMI 2.1 developed Dynamic HDR that is an improved version of the standard HDR(I) – High Dynamic Range Imaging. This technology will brighten color gamuts so that the picture will look deeper, broader, and more contrast than in static HDR.

(Image credits: HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc)

Another video update is Quick Media Switching (QMS) which eliminates a delay between switching content, whether it’s watching a movie or video games. This technique boosts video response and makes the user experience way smoother and more pleasurable.  

(Image credits: HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc)

Besides, the audio does not fall behind. The sound was improved to the enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) level. That means that the previous ARC technology, which allowed the audio to be sent from devices like the game console to the TV, has increased its bandwidth too. In this way, playable audio can contain heavier capacity, which directly means better and purer audio quality. 

(Image credits: HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc)

Talking about game consoles, both Xbox Series X and PS5 will support HDMI 2.1. Gamers should be thrilled to put into the test some other new bonuses like VRR, QFT, ALLM, but let’s look at each of them in detail. Similar to NVIDIA’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync technology, HDMI presented its technology – VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). It plans to eliminate any lags, stutters to polish the gameplay. And so does Quick Frame Transport (QFT). Not only does QFT remove any lags but also reduces latency of the frames too.

Finally, the Auto Low Latency Mode creates settings for this low latency to provide a gamer with even fewer lags, freezes, and interruptions.

Considering all the mentioned above, HDMI 2.1 has enormous potential for enhancing users’ experience to a whole another level. Even though we have to wait for a few years for the compatible displays and the 8K content to appear, we can still enjoy 4K 120Hz movies or series like The Witcher, Narcos, or Bladerunner 2049. Or if you are more of a gamer, you can play some of the latest hits like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ghost of Tsushima, Cyberpunk 2077, etc. Thereby there are no doubts that the design of HDMI 2.1 is a sensational step in the future of video technologies.