The new HDMI 2.1 specification (and cable) adds support for 10K, 8K HDR, and 4K at 120fps

[c44me]

Originally announced back in January and slated for a mid-year release, the HDMI 2.1 specification is just now making its debut on the world stage. Announced by the HDMI forum yesterday, the new specification offers users the ability to deal with 10K video resolution, as well as other data-intensive formats such as Dynamic HDR, uncompressed 8K HDR video, and 4K at 120fps.

A new Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable standard has also been announced that carries up to 48Gbps, and which is said to have ‘exceptionally low electro-magnetic interference’ to avoid conflict with other devices in the vicinity.

HDMI 2.1 is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the standard, as is the new high speed cable. For more information, visit the HDMI forum website.

Press Release

HDMI FORUM RELEASES VERSION 2.1 OF THE HDMI SPECIFICATION

A Huge Leap Forward Supports Resolutions Up to 10K and Dynamic HDR and Introduces New Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

SAN JOSE, California – November 28, 2017 - HDMI Forum, Inc. today announced the release of Version 2.1 of the HDMI® Specification which is now available to all HDMI 2.0 adopters. This latest HDMI Specification supports a range of higher video resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K. Dynamic HDR formats are also supported, and bandwidth capability is increased up to 48Gbps.

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 exceptionally 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 whose members represent some of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics, personal computers, mobile devices, cables and components.

“The HDMI Forum’s mission is to develop specifications meeting market needs, growing demands for higher performance, and to enable future product opportunities,” said Robert Blanchard of Sony Electronics, president of the HDMI Forum.

HDMI Specification 2.1 Features Include:

• Higher video resolutions support a range of high resolutions and faster refresh rates including 8K60Hz and 4K120Hz for immersive viewing and smooth fast-action detail. 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 and highest audio quality. 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:
  1. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces or eliminates lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay.
  2. Quick Media Switching (QMS) for movies and video eliminates the delay that can result in blank screens before content is displayed.
  3. Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduces latency for smoother no-lag gaming, and real-time interactive virtual reality.
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) allows the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity.

The HDMI 2.1 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) will be published in stages during Q1-Q3 2018, and HDMI adopters will be notified when it is available.

[wappinghigh]

I don't care they can bugger off because they haven't even got HDMI 2.0a or b working properly by totally screwing it up with underling HDCP 2.2 so what is the HDCP version that they are going to roll out with HDMI 2.1? to completely do consumers over.... HDCP 2.3? 

[wappinghigh]

On 30/11/2017 at 10:10 AM, c44me said:

 

• eARC simplifies connectivity, provides greater ease of use, and supports the most advanced audio formats and highest audio quality. It ensures full compatibility between audio devices and upcoming HDMI 2.1 products.

LMFAO! eARC! haha"Full compatibility"??! Pigs arse... They never even got the original ARC to work as it should! 

[sonic30101]

15 hours ago, wappinghigh said:

I don't care they can bugger off because they haven't even got HDMI 2.0a or b working properly by totally screwing it up with underling HDCP 2.2 so what is the HDCP version that they are going to roll out with HDMI 2.1? to completely do consumers over.... HDCP 2.3? 

Just satisfying my curiosity. Are you using hdmi extenders or long hdmi cables (if so what length) from your avrs to the tvs

[wappinghigh]

10 hours ago, sonic30101 said:

Just satisfying my curiosity. Are you using hdmi extenders or long hdmi cables (if so what length) from your avrs to the tvs

One AVR <> TV is a short run. Under 2 meters. No problem with 4KHDR here.. The other to AVR<>TV run to the HT is 15 meters and you are right to point distance as the main  issue here as this is where the problem is... I am only running 1080p that distance at the moment to the HT because 4K doesn't cut it over that distance. There is a whole industry as you know out there trying to solve or circumnavigate the problem of long HDMI runs...  And this only gets worse the higher the image quality. W 

[sonic30101]

Is the 15 meter cable an active directional one? Those tend to be better at distances

[wappinghigh]

9 minutes ago, sonic30101 said:

Is the 15 meter cable an active directional one? Those tend to be better at distances

No. They weren't available when I did the run. Only 18 or so months ago. So sure - I know active cables are available now and in fact we are thinking of pulling one of these in addition after we test it can do 15m 4K HDR 4.4.4. before we pull the run. I have learnt a good lesson here I'd like to pass onto others. Never pull an HDMI cable intending it for a given digital picture quality until you are certain it can handle the intended resolution and both the source and received device. Plug it in to both devices and test it will work first. Before pulling it in advance. Never trust the marketing blurb or even the packaging. Not only is there misinformation on the packaging etc out there but there are actually fake cables in the market place.. W. 

[sonic30101]

Indeed, test them for sure. That definitely explains the situation a bit. 18gbps HDMI cable that length isn't cheap and the tiles shift so often but need to drop a bit for 4:4:4 4k@60 (probably fiber based cable instead of copper). Might as well try and put in a smurf tube to the tv so changing it out later isn't a big deal. Also go ahead and pull a shielded cat6a just for a future backup while you are in there though i don't think you will get 4k@60 over cat at the moment but I could be wrong cause I know they are trying and working on it

[wappinghigh]

10 minutes ago, sonic30101 said:

Indeed, test them for sure. 18gbps HDMI cable that length isn't cheap but need to drop a bit for 4:4:4 4k@60. Might as well try and put in a smurf tube to the tv so changing it out later isn't a big deal. Also go ahead and pull a shielded cat6a just for a future backup while you are in there

Sure. But I prefer pulling HDMI if I can. Yep we pulled Cat 6a as well..and conduit is not always desirable or even possible.. aesthetically etc.. so sure you do that, but Cat6a adds problems and expense with Baluns, baluns not working properly, handshake delays etc.. I'd like to add another comment if I may. A 15 Meter run is kinda the sweet spot when designing/building a HT, because it is far enough to get the noisy gear and receiver and/or rack outside the room and handle as well as most projector placements. But over the decades I have been an HDMI user/consumer I have also found that the 10-15 meter distance is always a challenge for the industry as newer and newer resolutions hit the market. Its also where the BS and misinformation starts appearing on the packaging.. It's easy to swap out a 2 meter cable if you purchase a phony and not a big deal with expense etc.,  but the 10-15 m ones are expensive so often you have to buy first and test and can't test before opening and they are often hard to swap out in my experience. Our local retailers don't blink on a 50 buck return but a 500 buck one is another matter. W 

[lukas.polivka]

On 12/1/2017 at 11:25 PM, wappinghigh said:

LMFAO! eARC! haha"Full compatibility"??! Pigs arse... They never even got the original ARC to work as it should! 

Yeah that's because they essentially just hot-glued TOSLINK and HDMI together and sprinkled a little bit of CEC 'goodness' over it. It was a bit of a quick hack rather than a proper solution.

I really really hope they learned this time...