Big Picture Big Sound

A new year: a new HDMI version. This week, the HDMI Forum announced the upcoming release of Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification. This latest HDMI spec supports higher video resolutions (up to 8K), and a higher frame rate (120 Hz) for 4K video signals. The spec also supports an enhanced HDR (high dynamic range) format called "Dynamic HDR."

On the audio front, the ARC (Audio Return Channel) has been enhanced to eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) to support object-based sound formats. With this enhancement, TVs that support HDMI 2.1 will be able to pass Dolby Atmos (or DTS:X) immersive surround sound from the TV's eARC-compatible HDMI port. This means you'll be able to get Dolby Atmos sound from an external sound bar or receiver when using the built-in Netflix or VUDU app on a compatible TV. With the current version of ARC, audio output is limited to the core surround formats (PCM, Dolby Digital or DTS) up to 5.1 channels maximum.

To support delivery of all this extra audio and video data, there will also be a new 48G cable standard. According to the HDMI Forum, version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the Specification. "This new release of the Specification offers a broad range of advanced features for enhancing the consumer entertainment experience, as well as providing robust solutions to the commercial AV sector," said Robert Blanchard of Sony Electronics, president of the HDMI Forum. "This is part of the HDMI Forum's continuing mission to develop specifications for the HDMI eco-system that meet the growing demand for compelling, high-performance and exciting features."

HDMI Specification 2.1 Features Include:

• Higher Video Resolutions - support a range of higher resolutions and faster refresh rates including 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz 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 - 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.

 

According to the HDMI Forum, 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. You can find out more about the spec on the HDMI Forum web site.

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