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Jul 6, 2022 · HDMI 2.1 is a new standard that can support higher resolutions, frame rates and dynamic HDR for video and audio. Learn what HDMI 2.1 can do, which TVs and devices have it, and how it differs from HDMI 2.0.
Feb 5, 2019 · HDMI 2.1 is a new physical connector that provides a pathway between your content source and your video source, like a TV. HDMI 2.1 is backward-compatible with older technology, so if you have...
- Overview
- When is HDMI 2.1 not HDMI 2.1?
- HDMI 2.1 resolution and refresh rates
- HDMI 2.1: a saviour for gaming?
- HDMI 2.1: what is eARC?
- HDMI 2.1: what is a 48G cable?
- HDMI 2.1 TV: what screens are out there?
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By Henry St Leger
published 20 January 2022
HDMI 2.1 TVs are bringing faster gaming and even 8K to our screens
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
HDMI 2.1 is a new standard of HDMI. It might not sound exciting, but the implications of HDMI 2.1 are huge and the improvements to your viewing experience are already here, shaking up the way many people watch TV shows, movies and play games.
But wait, here’s where it gets confusing. You’d think any devices labelled with HDMI 2.1 would have the high-end features that come with it, right? Like dynamic HDR, variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode, as well as 4K video passthrough at 120Hz? Not so fast.
As reported by Ars Technica in late 2021, many HDMI 2.1 capable devices might not actually have these high-end features after all. Apparently that's thanks to a quirk in the official HDMI guidelines – it turns out that the spec for HDMI 2.0 has been wholly replaced by HDMI 2.1, instead of simply building upon it.
What that means is that manufacturers can choose to solely support a handful of HDMI 2.0 features and label them as HDMI 2.1, given they're still technically a subset of full HDMI 2.1 capability. But the result is that an HDMI 2.1 TV, or the HDMI cables used to connect to one, may not support everything that the average shopper thinks it does.
Ideally, the guidelines will be adjusted to allow for a proper distinction between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1, not just to prevent further confusion, but also to stop sneaky manufacturers from claiming their products are HDMI 2.1, when they're cherrypicking older specs instead.
The new HDMI 2.1 cables allow faster refresh rates. This includes 8K resolution video at 60 frames per second and 4K at 120 frames per second – and it's that second feature that's a real selling point for both gamers and home cinema geeks who want content to look as good as it possibly can.
"We've increased resolutions and frame rates significantly," Jeff Park, Director of Marketing at HDMI Licensing, told TechRadar, adding that "NHK [Japan's national public broadcaster] is going to push 8K120 as an actual broadcast stream, and many consumer electronics manufacturers want to hit that target, so we're laying the pipe to give the industry flexibility. It's practical stuff."
HDMI 2.1 can go even further, supporting resolutions as high as 10K at 120Hz – though that kind of capability isn't here yet and isn't supported on commercial sets.
•What is VRR? Variable refresh rate explained
HDMI 2.1 might have the biggest impact on the world of gaming. Especially if you have a next-gen games console, like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Both of these new consoles must have a TV that supports HDMI 2.1 to work properly.
That's because HDMI 2.1 covers a number of technologies, including capability for 4K gaming at 120Hz, or 8K gaming at 60Hz – both of which are visually impressive if you have the hardware and cables to support them.
8K gaming is a while off still, but HDMI 2.1 means you soon won't have to choose between 4K resolution and high refresh rates, being able to experience both together.
HDMI 2.1 also enabled VRR (variable refresh rate), which helps to keep games looking smooth by switching up the refresh rate on the fly to best suit how much is happening onscreen. That means less image lag, stutter and frame tearing similar to the effect achieved by FreeSync and G-Sync.
This is great news for gamers, because HDMI 2.1 enables a 3D graphics processor to render and display images in real time, which will result in more fluid gameplay and greater detail.
•HDMI on PS5: what you need to know
It's not all about TVs, either; soundbars, AV amplifiers and other audio equipment also benefit from HDMI 2.1 – though it will mean upgrading all of your equipment.
For the last few generations, HDMI cables have had an Audio Return Channel (ARC), which means audio can be sent both ways between a TV and audio gear. This essentially enables 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.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) is nothing more than a simple update to keep pace with changes in audio codecs, specifically to include the new object-based audio codecs, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
"eARC ups the bandwidth significantly,” says Park. “Previously you were limited to two-channel PCM or legacy Dolby Digital or DTS audio, but with eARC that reverse channel can now support much higher bandwidth audio including Dolby True HD, DTS HD, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other object-based audio at much higher bandwidths."
This is about defining a new specification of a HDMI cable's speed, with so-called 48G cables (for now just a working title) offering 48Gbps bandwidth for sending uncompressed 8K video, with HDR, over a HDMI 2.1 cable.
So why do we need a 48G-rated cable? "Because we're carrying so much data now – we've gone from 18Gbps in HDMI 2.0 to 48Gbps in HDMI 2.1," says Park. "Today we have 'standard speed' and 'high speed' HDMI cables, and 48G will be related to that."
Ditto the compliance tests that each HDMI 2.1 cable will have to pass in order to be labelled as such. Backwards-compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI specification, and able to be used with existing HDMI devices.
HDMI 2.0 cables are all really the same, despite what some manufacturers will try to tell you with their branding – but an HDMI 2.1 cable with 48Gbps will be necessary to experience the technology's capabilities, and you'll need a compatible HDMI 2.1 port on any connecting hardware (TVs, soundbars) too.
Today's best Belkin Ultra High Speed Premium HDMI HDR 2.1 Cable deals
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Now we're in 2022, HDMI 2.1 has become much more commonplace. But 2021 is the year it went mainstream. Before that it only received piecemeal support on a handful of high-end sets, often with only one HDMI 2.1 port with two or three HDMI 2.0 ports alongside.
That's still the case with some manufacturers (the Sony A90J OLED features a mix of 2.1 and 2.0 inputs), while others are going all-in on HDMI 2.1 ports on their premium TV ranges. Both LG and Samsung are in this latter camp, and you can expect up to four HDMI 2.1 ports on select sets, especially the new TVs for 2022.
There are some solid options from last year from Sony if you're looking for HDMI 2.1 ports, like the Sony X90J, a native 120Hz TV with two full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports for the Xbox Series X and PS5.
When it comes to Samsung, you'll find HMDI 2.1 in a handful of sets from last year, which includes the Samsung QN85A, and Samsung QN90A Neo QLED TV. But again, HDMI 2.1 will be available in more of Samsung's TVs for 2022.
Other brands have HDMI 2.1 options as well, including the TCL 6-Series 2021 8K QLED TV and the Vizio P-Series Quantum X.
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HDMI 2.1 is a new standard of HDMI that allows more information to pass between devices, resulting in better resolution and refresh rate for TV and gaming. Learn how HDMI 2.1 works, what features it supports, and why some TVs labelled as HDMI 2.1 may not have them.
Nov 14, 2023 · HDMI 2.1 is the latest standard for high-definition video and audio, offering higher resolutions, refresh rates, and bandwidth. Learn about its features, compatibility, and how to future-proof your home theater setup with HDMI 2.1 cables and TVs.
Dec 4, 2017 · HDMI 2.1 is a new standard that delivers higher bandwidth, resolution, refresh rate, and audio quality for TV and VR. Learn how it works, what it supports, and when you'll need it.
Feb 3, 2021 · HDMI 2.1 is a new standard that increases the maximum bandwidth of HDMI cables to 48 Gbps and adds new features like Dynamic HDR, VRR, and eARC. Learn how HDMI 2.1 can improve your gaming and viewing experience and which devices support it.
Jun 5, 2024 · HDMI 2.1 is a standard for connecting devices with high-resolution and high-frame-rate signals. Learn what's new, what you need to upgrade, and how it affects gaming and HDR content.
