It ’s operose to believe , but HDMI engineering has already seen   8 upgrade since it debut right smart back in 2002 . The technology is now up to edition 2.1 ,   and it ’s a much big leap forward than many the great unwashed might realize . In fact , compared to the previous 2.0 adaptation of the user interface , it ’s a major image switch .

Those seem to corrupt a newfangled boob tube set to take advantage of extremist - gamy - definition video and audio will desire to ensure HDMI 2.1 is on the list of useable features .   Whether it ’s to playUltraHD 4 K Blu - ray saucer , or tube 4 K streaming contentinto the home base , HDMI 2.1 is the way to go .

It’s All About 4K

Anyone who has tried to   get 4 K content through a less - than - stellar internet association make out full well how problematic it can be . This is due to the increased amount of information coming through the delivery channel to   the television set or display . In the digital world , bandwidth is   the most authoritative thing , and the more that can be pumped through an port at a given moment , the better .

HDMI 2.1 recognizes this number , which is why it lark almost triple the bandwidth of 2.0 . This translates into an gain from 18GBps ( G per second ) to 48GBps . When considering the ramifications of 4 K moving picture run at 24fps , this is a batch of data on its own .   That ’s nothing compared to   streaming 4 thousand content at 120fps , which requires a very broad web line .

It Pushes HDR Technology To The Limits

Regular one-time video might be hunky-dory for some , but those who have purchase a fancy upper - echelon 4 K television set probably did so to take advantage of its inherent HDR ( in high spirits dynamical range ) capableness . HDR boasts a far more rich , lustrous exposure than standard video , which is why ultra - high-pitched - definition   Blu - shaft can not be watch   on a regular TV without   the colors washing out and looking desaturated .

HDMI 2.1 is built with HDR in mind , primarily the HDR10 + spectrum . Essentially , HDR10 + allows extra metadata to examine each scene of a plastic film before tweaking it for the best possible delivery . Traditional HDR was a one - sizing - fit - all plan of attack that apply a blanket standard to content , whereas HRD10 + dynamically tweaks enounce content as it goes . To in full experience what HDR bring to the table , it ’s deserving testing out some1970s   movies that got fantabulous 4 special K Blu - ray transfers .

It’s Ready For 8K, Even If The World Is Not

It might seem silly , but 4 K is already a thing of the past , at least as far as the technical school landscape is have-to doe with . today , 8 K has become the new cant , even as meg of mass are still pondering whether to swap in their 1080p TVs for a 4 jet model . HDMI 2.1 was designed to take this into account .

It Unfortunately Requires New Hardware

Those operating older HDMI 2.0 devices will be out of luck if they bid to leap to HDMI 2.1 , as the technology require an solely Modern port in parliamentary procedure to work . That means old video game console , Blu - ray player and streaming box ca n’t access HDMI 2.1 functionality , even with a new cable .

At the same metre , there ’s no backward compatibility with honest-to-god HDMI cables . Using   them will trammel the output to the limitations of the cable itself , which defeats the role . This is due to the implicit in addition in bandwidth and other features parcel out by HDMI 2.1 cables , mean they must be used in junction with 2.1 machine .

HDMI 2.1 Is Great News For Gamers

Many citizenry barrack at the idea of watching Hollywood movies at framerates beyond 24fps , as it ruins the cinematic experience . However , video games are an wholly unlike affair .   While HDMI 2.0 handles TV gaming just very well , it ’s nothing compared to the bells and whistling afforded by 2.1 .

Gamers   will appreciate HDMI 2.1 for its power to press super gamy framerate gambling up to 120fps , with varying refresh pace and fast frame raptus technologies contrive to eradicate screen tearing and stimulant slowdown .   Many of thebest story - drive PS4 gamesalready take advantage of UHD 4 K playback to help with their cinematic look .

Variable Refresh Rate Is A Big Plus

Variable refresh rate ( VRR ) is a boon for gamers who know that discrepant framerates can yield a legion of job , most notably the infamous blind - watering run into in many game . A previous workaround was to enable V - Sync in game before companies started output TVs and monitors with G - Sync and FreeSync computer hardware technology construct - in .

HDMI 2.1 assume a different feeler by introducing VRR directly through the interface , do it a new go - to standard for gaming - enable TVs . This eliminates the pauperization to bribe a TV or display with a specific G - Sync or FreeSync feature built - in , create a ecumenical solution that works out of the box .

It’s Great With V.R.

Virtual realness gamers and enthusiasts may also enjoy the advantages HDMI 2.1 has to put up over the previous 2.0 loop , due mostly to its Quick Frame Transport technology . The result is good , more active , and immersive V.R. mental object that can decently rationalize the enormous price tags .

This feature was designed to control the amount of time it takes for the video to reach the video display . Typically , it ’s   millisecond , but even that can pass on much to be trust . V.R. gamers will be capable to take advantage of HDMI 2.1 to further reduce picture retardation , produce a more seamless practical reality experience overall .

Quick Media Switching

Swapping between different devices , like   Blu - ray role player   and television game consoles , on a single television set necessarily lead to a   jarring black screen during the modulation . While it ’s not the speculative thing in the world , it is a cumbersome panorama of last - gen boob tube and HDMI port that needs to go .

Quick Media Switching is a standard function in HDMI 2.1 ,   which all but eliminates the brief period of nothingness that follows a swap to another kind of media . This is ready to hand for those with multiple devices such as cable boxes , game console , or standalone UltraHD Blu - electron beam players .

It Has An Ear For Audio

HDMI 2.1 expands on ARC ( Audio Return Channel ) technology with a unexampled standard known as eARC ( Enhanced Audio Return Channel ) , which reserve audio to be sent from the telecasting to audio equipment with no fall in tone .   2.1 - enable soundbars and other audio devices will be able-bodied to take advantage of HDMI 2.1 ’s expanded bandwidth to   birth better - sound audio ( including Dolby Atmos signals ) for a immensely improved experience .

This is howling news for audiophiles seeking to lessen the burden of multiple cables and junior-grade technologies . It ’s also dandy for experiencing the full mastery ofHollywood movies with imaginative uses of sound .

HDMI 2.1 Can Handle 10K, Even If Nothing Else Can

Early adopter and tech   enthusiasts will have a go at it the fact that HDMI 2.1 is ready to tackle technologies that wo n’t be standardize for over a decade .   That includes 10 K video , which is a matter still largely unheard of . It ’s deserving remark that current 4 K displays have a resolution of 5120x2160 , whereas 10 kilobyte displays ramp that up to an eye - watering 10240x4320 . The answer talk for themselves .

Naturally , migrate to 10 M at this point involves mortgaging the sign of the zodiac and possibly sell a kidney , but for some people , it ’s enough to know that they can . The actual takeaway from HDMI 2.1 ’s ability to run 10 K is how advanced the engineering has become since it was introduced way back in 2002 .

NEXT : The 15 Greatest Movies Of All Time ( To Show Off Your New 4 K TV )

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Eddie and Buck in 2x04

Blood; The Last Vampire’s Saya with her katana, Akira’s Kaneda firing a gun, Cowboy Bebop’s Spike smiling.

Split image of a man in a VR headset and a main character overlooking a jungle vista in Horizon Zero Dawn in 4K

An infographic detailing the difference in bandwidth between HMDI versions

A side by side comparison of HDR video vs. non-HDR video using the same image of David Bowie in The Prestige

Split image of a wheel on the road comparing 8K video to 4K video clarity

A shot of two HDMI cable connectors

A wide shot of a main character standing on a tree branch overlooking a jungle vista from Horizon Zero Dawn in HDR format

An image of a video game race car leaping out of a computer monitor

A man playing video games using a VR headset

A 65" 4K HDR TV at a technology show showing a city at night

A picture of a custom audio system in a living room around a TV

A comparison chart of video resolutions from 4K to 10K