HDMI 2.1 vs HDMI 2.0

HDMI 2.1 is the latest version of the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) standard, which was released in 2017. It is an improvement over the previous version, HDMI 2.0 which launched in 2013 and offers several new features and enhancements. In this video we'll do a technical comparison between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1:


Please do subscribe if you haven’t already it really helps this small channel grow.


Lets start with bandwidth: HDMI 2.0 supports a maximum bandwidth of 18 Gbps, while HDMI 2.1 supports a maximum bandwidth of 48 Gbps. This increased bandwidth allows for higher resolutions, frame rates, and colour depths.


Now lets look at Resolution and Refresh Rates: HDMI 2.0 supports 4K resolution at 60Hz and 1080p resolution at 120Hz, while HDMI 2.1 supports 4K resolution at 120Hz and 8K resolution at 60Hz. This makes HDMI 2.1 more suitable for high-end gaming and video content.


They also support different version of HDR: HDMI 2.0 supports HDR10, which is a static HDR format that applies the same metadata to the entire video. HDMI 2.1, on the other hand, supports Dynamic HDR, which applies metadata on a frame-by-frame basis, resulting in more accurate and vibrant colours.


Enhanced Audio is another difference: HDMI 2.1 supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), which allows for uncompressed and lossless audio formats, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. This makes HDMI 2.1 more suitable for high-end audio systems.
Variable Refresh Rate is only available on HDMI 2.1 , which allows for the refresh rate of the display to synchronize with the frame rate of the content, resulting in smoother and tear-free gaming.


Quick Frame Transport (QFT): HDMI 2.1 supports QFT, which reduces the latency between the source device and the display, resulting in faster response times and less lag which is a particular advantage for gamers
Overall, HDMI 2.1 offers significant improvements over HDMI 2.0, particularly in terms of bandwidth, resolution, and enhanced features.


However, it is important to note that not all devices may support all of the new features. The current generation of consoles, xbox series x and ps5 both support hdmi 2.1 as standard and you can always tell if your display does by googling the make and model and referring to the technical specifications.


Do you use the latest version of hdmi and do you think the upgrades make it worth it?


Please do subscribe if you've enjoyed this video and thanks for watching


#hdmi #hdmi2 #HDMI2.1