HDMI 2.1 officially announced - Variable Refresh for PCs and consoles up to 10K 120Hz!

nathanddrews

Graphics Cards, CPU Moderator
Aug 9, 2016
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I thought it was a joke! RIP in peace, DisplayPort.

http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_2_1/index.aspx

Overview
About HDMI Forum, Inc.

The HDMI Forum, Inc. is comprised of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics, personal computers, mobile devices, cables and components. An open trade association, The HDMI Forum’s mission is to foster broader industry participation in the development of future versions of the HDMI specification and to further expand the ecosystem of interoperable, HDMI-enabled products. The HDMI Forum currently has a membership of over 80 companies.

HDMI 2.1 Specification was developed by the HDMI Forum’s Technical Working Group.

For more information, please visit www.hdmiforum.org.

HDMI Specification 2.1 is the most recent update of the HDMI specification featuring advanced features for the HDMI eco-system. It supports a range of Higher Video Resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, Dynamic HDR, and increased bandwidth with a new 48G cable. Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the Specification.

HDMI Specification 2.1 Feature Highlights Include:

  • Higher Video Resolutions support a range of higher resolutions and faster refresh rates including 8K60Hz and 4K120Hz for immersive viewing and smooth fast-action detail.
  • Dynamic HDR 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.
  • 48G cables enable up to 48Gbps bandwidth for uncompressed HDMI 2.1 feature support including 8K video with HDR. The cable is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI Specification and can be used with existing HDMI devices.
  • eARC supports the most advanced audio formats such as object-based audio, and enables advanced audio signal control capabilities including device auto-detect.
  • Game Mode VRR features variable refresh rate, which enables a 3D graphics processor to display the image at the moment it is rendered for more fluid and better detailed gameplay, and for reducing or eliminating lag, stutter, and frame tearing.
The new specification will be available to all HDMI 2.0 Adopters and they will be notified when it is released early in Q2 2017.

FAQS
Q: What is the testing policy for HDMI 2.1 products?

A: An Adopter's first product in a designated product category that implements any function of the HDMI 2.1 Specification needs to be submitted to an ATC for testing and pass all applicable and available HDMI compliance tests before shipment. An Adopter's subsequent product in a designated product category that implements any additional function of the HDMI 2.1 Specification should be submitted to an ATC for testing and pass all applicable and available HDMI compliance tests before shipment.

Q: What are the testing requirements for HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: Compliance testing will continue to be an essential aspect to the success of the HDMI Specifications. When the HDMI 2.1 Specification is released, it will be accompanied by a new Compliance Testing Specification (CTS 2.1). All 1.4b products will continue to be tested to CTS 1.4b. Refer to the HDMI.org website for testing requirements.

Q: When will the HDMI 2.1 Compliance Test Specification be available?

A: The HDMI 2.1 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) will be published in Q2-Q3 2017.

Q: When will ATCs start to provide 2.1 testing services?

A: Each individual ATC will decide on when to offer HDMI 2.1 testing services. Please contact your local ATC for more information.

Q: What is the relationship of HDMI Specification 2.1 to HDMI 2.0b and 1.4b Specifications?

A: HDMI 2.1 Specification supersedes 2.0b and 2.1 continues to make reference to, and rely upon, HDMI 1.4b Specification.

Q: Is HDMI 2.1 Specification backwards compatible with previous versions of the specification?

A: Yes.

Q: How do you license HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: In order to license the HDMI 2.1 Specification, you must first become an HDMI Adopter and then sign an addendum to the HDMI Adopter Agreement which provides a license to the HDMI 2.0 Specification.

Q: Can non-HDMI Adopters license only the HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: Companies wishing to use the HDMI 2.1 specification must become an HDMI Adopter and also sign the HDMI 2 Adopter Addendum. They will have access to HDMI 1.4b and HDMI 2.1 Specifications.

Q: If I am a current HDMI 1.4b Adopter, do I have to license HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: No, Adopters have the option to only license 1.x.

Q: Do HDMI 2.0 Adopters automatically get access to HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: Yes it is licensed under the Version 2 addendum.

Q: Will current Adopters be required to pay an additional Annual Fee if they choose to adopt the HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: No.

Q: Will there be any new royalty and/or increase in current royalties for products that implement HDMI 2.1 Specification features?

A: No there is no additional royalty for implementing the HDMI 2.1 Specification.

Q: Where can I download the HDMI 2.1 Specification?

A: HDMI 2.1 Specification can be downloaded from the Adopter Extranet.


Feature FAQS
High Video Resolutions

Q: Will 8K@60 or 4K@120 require a new cable or cable connector?

A: Yes a new cable is required

Q: What are the support resolutions and frame rates?

A:

  • 4K50/60
  • 4K100/120
  • 5K50/60
  • 5K100/120
  • 8K50/60
  • 8K100/120
  • 10K50/60
  • 10K100/120
Q: What colorimetry is supported?

A: HDMI 2.1 Specification supports the latest color spaces including BT.2020 with 10, 12, and 16 bits per color component.


48G Cable

Q: Is this cable required for delivering HDMI 2.1 Specification features?

A: The cable is the best way to ensure the high-bandwidth dependent features are delivered including the enhanced video and audio performance, and accounting for the new EMI characteristics

Q: Will existing HDMI High Speed cables deliver the HDMI 2.1 features also?

A: While existing HDMI High Speed Cables with Ethernet can deliver some of the new features, the new cable is the best way to connect HDMI 2.1 enabled devices to ensure delivery of all the features.

Q: What connectors does this cable use?

A: It is compatible with HDMI connectors Types A, C and D.

Q: Does the cable have an Ethernet channel?

A: Yes it supports the HDMI Ethernet Channel.

Q: Can this new cable work with existing HDMI devices?

A: The cable is backwards compatible and can be used with existing HDMI devices for the delivery of legacy HDMI features.


Dynamic HDR

Q: Does this Dynamic HDR require the new 48G Cable?

A: No, but it will be necessary to enable 8K video with HDR

Q: Does the specification support the various HDR solutions?

A: Yes it supports various static and dynamic HDR solutions in the market

Q: Is this accessible via a firmware upgrade?

A: Manufacturers will be implementing this in various ways


eARC

Q: Will this work with any HDMI cable?

A: This works with HDMI High Speed Cables with Ethernet and the new 48G cable

Q: Is this available through a firmware upgrade?

A: Depends on manufacturer implementation


Game Mode VRR

Q: Does this require the new HDMI cable?

A: No

Q: Will this work with 8K@60 or 4K@120Hz?

A: Yes if those features are implemented along with Higher Video Resolution. That will require the new 48G cable

Q: Is this primarily for consoles or will PCs utilize this also?

A: It can be used for both.

Q: Will this result in more gaming PCs connecting to HDMI displays, either monitors or TVs?

A: The intent of the feature is to enable HDMI technology to be used in these applications. Given that HDMI connectivity already has a strong presence in this area, we expect that use of HDMI technology in gaming will continue to grow.
 
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Pseudoics

Member
May 24, 2012
41
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That is quite a robust spec upgrade. Bringing VRR to the masses via televisions in time for the PS5 is great news for PC gamers too — a certain gpu vendor should be compelled to support this 'mainstream' feature before then.

Look forward to upgrading my display and audio chain when all these features are supported. 4K120hz HDR 77" OLED thanks!
 

maniacalpha1-1

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2010
3,562
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When earlier versions of HDMI and display port came out, were they that far ahead of gpu power?

It takes expensive SLI to comfortably get 4k 60 now, 8k 60 is a huge jump.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
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Sounds good to me. I wish, that assuming it wasn't a physical-layer limitation, that they would have come out with an HDMI 2.0c spec, that allowed 4K60, with 4:4:4, AND HDCP 2.2, which is apparently not allowed all at once currently. My 4K TV will do 4:4:4 at 4K30, but not 4K60, that's limited to 4:2:0.
 

nathanddrews

Graphics Cards, CPU Moderator
Aug 9, 2016
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When earlier versions of HDMI and display port came out, were they that far ahead of gpu power?
It takes expensive SLI to comfortably get 4k 60 now, 8k 60 is a huge jump.

Obviously it all depends upon how specific we get about "how far ahead" and "when they came out", but generally speaking, no, I don't think we have had such a wide gap between performance and potential specs. Keep in mind that HDMI 2.1 is not available on any displays sold yet and is - to my knowledge - not listed on any current or future GPUs yet. We might see some 4K HFR (high frame rate, 120Hz) displays late 2017 or early 2018, so it's hard to say if GPUs like Vega will support it or if we'll have to wait for Volta and Navi? I don't know. Xbone 2?

VGA (15-pin Dsub if you wish) CRTs like the FW900 could do 1920x1200 at 90-110Hz (depending on your specific monitor and cable and GPU setup). My FW900 (before it exploded, RIP in peace) could do 2560x1600@75Hz or 1440p @ 85Hz and still have legible text. As we know today, getting some games to ultra/nightmare settings at 1080p or 1440p can be a large undertaking, but they are so much more complex. Back when VGA "came out", 3D games weren't really a thing yet. Commander Keen didn't exactly demand all that much from my 386.

HDMI 1.0 came out in 2002 and could do 1080p60 (maybe 75Hz), but there were almost no HDMI displays capable of that. At that time, HDMI displays were almost all EDTVs (native 480p). By that time, monitors like the aforementioned FW900 running on VGA were superior in both resolution and refresh rates. LCDs back then were massive, steaming piles of crap. The first LCD I bought was a 15" 1024x768 60Hz panel that cost $1,400 - but I managed to get it for a lot less. Games hardware of 2002 could easily outperform HDMI 1.0. Later versions of HDMI added 2560x1600, 1440p, 4K @ 30Hz, even 1080p @ 120Hz, but generally speaking it was always inferior to DVI and its replacement: DisplayPort.

DVI came out and basically supported all the same resolutions that VGA could do, but digital and including audio and HDCP. DisplayPort did nearly the same thing, but supported daisy-chaining and 4K. Neither one pushed beyond. DP 1.3/1.4 supports 4K120 and 8K60, but with varying degrees of compression at the high end. HDMI 2.1 definitely goes above and beyond DP in that regard.

VGA started as 320/640 resolution solution and because it was analog, it wasn't necessarily held back by anything except signal degradation. If you have a fast enough DAC on the GPU and an excellent cable and a capable monitor, you could usually create all sorts of crazy custom resolutions and refresh rates that far exceeded the norm. But I'm not sure any of that was planned ahead of time when they were drafting the VGA spec in the mid-80s. The acronym "GPU" didn't exist yet. Unlike HDMI 2.1 where there are very hard and fast rules about bit rates, resolutions, refresh rates, audio streams, HDR streams, and so on.

Just for fun:
 

Bacon1

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2016
3,430
1,018
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I love how he can't aim for shit because the bezels cover like 75% of what his crosshair might be pointing at more than 10' away.

Oh I meant more before that, just trying to get the monitors working at all.

But yeah, I've never gotten why people would do non-odd number of monitor setups. 3x1, 3x2 or 5x1... or just UW now ;). Having the center of your screen full of bezels? :eek: