The HDMI forum has announced a new version of the HDMI specification. The organisation has an eye on increasing resolutions and refresh rates, plus dynamic HDR support, support for Game Mode VRR (variable refresh rate), and eARC advanced audio format support.
HDMI is the most popular connection people use with their living room TVs, so a new standard is important for the industry. The forum must foresee a growing trend and future demand for its targeted abilities. That must mean we are going to increasingly see TV sets with HDR and 8K60 and 4K120 (and better) capabilities. A list of new supported resolutions and frame rates follows:
- 4K50/60
- 4K100/120
- 5K50/60
- 5K100/120
- 8K50/60
- 8K100/120
- 10K50/60
- 10K100/120
It's interesting to see the new spec includes Game Mode VRR (variable refresh rate): that's like a FreeSync or G-Sync ability to help provide more fluid game play with less lag, stutter, or frame tearing. It will work with both consoles and PCs, says the HDMI forum.
The new spec includes a new 48Gbps cable. You will need this high bandwidth connection to get all the new high res and HDR features but older cables are compatible with "some of the new features" such as HDR at below 8K resolutions. If you wanted to hook up an older HDMI device, such as a set top box you currently own, with an earlier spec cable - there will be no problem.
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.
