HDMI 2.1 details: dynamic HDR, 4K120/8K60 frame rates, ALLM, 10K monitors & more

HDMI Forum today released the final version of the HDMI 2.1 specification following a preview earlier this year. It includes support for 10K displays, dynamic HDR content, high frame rate 4K video at 120 frames per second and 8K video at 60 frames per second, plus much more.

What’s new for HDMI 2.1?

HDMI 2.1 has many new features that we will undoubtedly see in products in the next couple years, like 10K monitors. Additionally, it introduces a new ultra speed HDMI cable that boosts bandwidth to 48Gbps, enough to handle uncompressed 8K video with dynamic HDR.

Among other new features, HDMI 2.1 supports new refresh rates, including 8K at 60 frames per second and 4K at 120 frames per second. 4K at 120 frames per second will be especially great for playing immersive games and enjoying those slo-mo video clips shot on your iPhone.

Luckily, HDMI 2.1 will be backwards-compatible with previous versions.

The HDMI 2.1 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) should be out early to mid-2018. First products supporting the updated HDMI specification should start rolling out shortly after.

For those interested, here’s the complete list of changes coming in HDMI 2.1.

HDMI 2.1 spec sheet

The latest HDMI 2.1 specification includes the following features:

  • 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 Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable has very low EMI emission and is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI Specification so that it 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 also 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:
    • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces or eliminates lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay
    • Quick Media Switching (QMS) for movies and video eliminates the delay that can result in blank screens before content is displayed
    • 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

Do you own a 4K TV set? If not, when do you plan on making a jump?

Let us know in the comments down below!