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Introduction: The HDMI interface is the most common interface for hardware devices, including projectors, TVs, boxes, players, and many other hardware devices, all of which must have HDMI interfaces. The HDMI interface is one of the indispensable high-definition interfaces for high-definition transmission including 4K or even 10K, and its importance is beyond doubt.
The HDMI2.1 interface specification will be released in 2018. Let's take a look at the changes in the specifications from HDMI1.0 to HDMI2.1 in the past.
HDMI version evolution
HDMI1.4, 2.0 are the most common
HDMI2.0a supports 4K HDR
HDMI2.1 supports 10K resolution. The world's first Blu-ray player Samsung BD-P1000 was launched in 2006 and has adopted HDMI. After that, most Blu-ray players and full HD playback equipment are equipped with HDMI.
HDMI 1.0
Support Blu-ray and Full HD 1080 / 60p
The earliest HDMI version, launched in December 2002, can be said to be designed for the full-HD software such as Blu-ray that year. The biggest feature is the integration of video and audio transmission at the same time. The interface is more suitable for audio-visual equipment. HDMI 1.0 already supports DVD and Blu-ray video, the highest frequency bandwidth reaches 4.95 Gbps, of which 3.96 Gbps is used to transmit video streams, which can support 1080 / 60p or UXGA resolution; audio supports 8-channel LPCM 24bit / 192kHz, in other words already Broadcast to multi-channel Hi-Res, the specifications are quite strong.
DVD-Audio and SACD audio have been supported after a minor revision of HDMI, but unfortunately these two formats have not been popularized.
HDMI 1.1
New DVD-Audio
It was launched in May 2004 and added support for DVD-Audio. DVD-Audio uses DVD discs to store 16bit / 44.1kHz to 24bit / 192kHz PCM music. It was originally the same as SACD as a successor to the CD format, but unfortunately neither format is popular.
HDMI 1.2
Support SACD
Launched in August 2005, it added support for 1-bit audio, that is, SACD audio streaming, which can support up to 8 channels.
HDMI CEC allows one remote control to control all compatible equipment, which is quite convenient.
HDMI 1.2a
Compatible with CEC multi-device control
A minor revision of HDMI 1.2, launched in December of the same year, supports all CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) functions, allowing compatible devices to be fully controlled with one remote control when connected via HDMI.
New-generation TVs, Blu-ray devices, and other devices can support Deep Color technology, making the display colors richer.
HDMI Type-A, the most common HDMI plug, has been used since version 1.0, Type C (mini HDMI) was released in version 1.3, and Type D (micro HDMI) was released in version 1.4.
HDMI 1.3
Increased bandwidth to 10.2 Gbps, supports Deep Color and HD audio streaming
A major revision launched in June 2006 increased the bandwidth to 10.2 Gbps at a stretch, and can support 30bit, 36bit and 48bit xvYCC, sRGB or YCbCr Deep Color technology. In addition, it supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA high-definition audio streaming, which can be decoded by Blu-ray machine via HDMI streaming audio to the supported amplifier. Subsequent HDMI 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3b1 and 1.3c are only minor changes.
The 3D boom brought by "Avatar" lasted for several years, so many of HDMI's new features are optimized for 3D.
HDMI 1.4
Support 4K / 30p, 3D and ARC
HDMI 1.4 can be regarded as the most popular version in the early years. It was launched in May 2009 and already supports 4K resolution, but only 4,096 × 2,160 / 24p or 3,840 × 2,160 / 24p / 25p / 30p. When the 3D boom began, HDMI 1.4 also supported 1080D / 720p, 720 / 50p / 60p 3D images. Audio has added a very practical ARC (Audio Return Channel) function, so that TV audio can be returned to the amplifier via HDMI and then output. Also added a 100Mbps network transmission function, you can share the Internet connection through HDMI.
HDMI 1.4a, 1.4b
Minor revision of newly added 3D function
The 3D boom brought on by "Avatar" continued all the way, so a small revision of HDMI 1.4a and 1.4b was launched in March 2010 and October 2011, mainly for 3D, such as the addition of two more broadcasts 3D format used, 3D images that support 1080 / 120p, etc.
Starting from HDMI 2.0, the video resolution supports 4K / 60p, which is also the more commonly used HDMI version of many TVs, amplifiers and other equipment.
HDMI 2.0
True 4K version, bandwidth increased to 18 Gbps
HDMI 2.0, which was launched in September 2013, is also known as "HDMI UHD". Although HDMI 1.4 already supports 4K video, it only supports lower specifications up to 30p. HDMI 2.0 increases the bandwidth from 10.2 Gbps to 18 Gbps, can support 4K / 60p video, and is compatible with Rec. 2020 color depth. At present, many devices, including TVs, power amplifiers, Blu-ray machines, etc., use this HDMI version.
The change to HDMI 2.0a is the addition of HDR support.
HDMI 2.0a
Support HDR
A minor revision of HDMI 2.0, launched in April 2015, added HDR support. At present, most new-generation TVs that support HDR will use this version, and new amplifiers, UHD Blu-ray players, etc. will also have HDMI 2.0a terminals. Afterwards, HDMI 2.0b was originally supported by the HDR10 specification, and the Hybrid HDR format for broadcasting was added.
The HDMI 2.1 standard announced earlier this year will support 8K resolution video.
HDMI 2.1
Support 8K / 60Hz, 4K / 120Hz video, Dynamic HDR (Dynamic HDR)
The latest HDMI version launched in January 2017 has a significantly increased bandwidth to 48Gbps and can support images up to 7,680 × 4,320 / 60Hz (8K / 60p) or higher frame rate images at 4K / 120Hz. HDMI 2.1 will continue to respond to the original HDMI A, C, and D plug design. It also supports the new Dynamic HDR technology. Compared to the current "static" HDR, "dynamic" HDR can further enhance the performance of contrasting the same light and dark levels according to the light and dark distribution of each frame. In terms of sound effects, HDMI 2.1 supports the new eARC technology. Compared with the existing ARC (Audio Return Channel), it can return object-based sound effects such as Dolby Atmos.
HDMI2.1 version is compatible with all devices that support HDMI2. HDMI2.1 version supports a maximum of 10 resolutions, including 8K resolution refresh rate of 60Hz, 4K resolution refresh rate of 120Hz, dynamic HDR and adaptive refresh rate technology, and amazing bandwidth 48Gbps, in addition to using more environmentally friendly anti-electromagnetic interference technology.
Dynamic HDR technology supports ensuring that every frame of the video has its optimal values, including depth of field, detail, brightness, contrast, and a wider range of colors.
Support maximum 10K resolution, 8K resolution refresh rate 60Hz, 4K resolution refresh rate 120Hz, support commercial AV video companies, enterprises and special purposes.
The HDMI2.1 interface specification will be released in 2018. Let's take a look at the changes in the specifications from HDMI1.0 to HDMI2.1 in the past.
HDMI version evolution
HDMI1.4, 2.0 are the most common
HDMI2.0a supports 4K HDR
HDMI2.1 supports 10K resolution. The world's first Blu-ray player Samsung BD-P1000 was launched in 2006 and has adopted HDMI. After that, most Blu-ray players and full HD playback equipment are equipped with HDMI.
HDMI 1.0
Support Blu-ray and Full HD 1080 / 60p
The earliest HDMI version, launched in December 2002, can be said to be designed for the full-HD software such as Blu-ray that year. The biggest feature is the integration of video and audio transmission at the same time. The interface is more suitable for audio-visual equipment. HDMI 1.0 already supports DVD and Blu-ray video, the highest frequency bandwidth reaches 4.95 Gbps, of which 3.96 Gbps is used to transmit video streams, which can support 1080 / 60p or UXGA resolution; audio supports 8-channel LPCM 24bit / 192kHz, in other words already Broadcast to multi-channel Hi-Res, the specifications are quite strong.
DVD-Audio and SACD audio have been supported after a minor revision of HDMI, but unfortunately these two formats have not been popularized.
HDMI 1.1
New DVD-Audio
It was launched in May 2004 and added support for DVD-Audio. DVD-Audio uses DVD discs to store 16bit / 44.1kHz to 24bit / 192kHz PCM music. It was originally the same as SACD as a successor to the CD format, but unfortunately neither format is popular.
HDMI 1.2
Support SACD
Launched in August 2005, it added support for 1-bit audio, that is, SACD audio streaming, which can support up to 8 channels.
HDMI CEC allows one remote control to control all compatible equipment, which is quite convenient.
HDMI 1.2a
Compatible with CEC multi-device control
A minor revision of HDMI 1.2, launched in December of the same year, supports all CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) functions, allowing compatible devices to be fully controlled with one remote control when connected via HDMI.
New-generation TVs, Blu-ray devices, and other devices can support Deep Color technology, making the display colors richer.
HDMI Type-A, the most common HDMI plug, has been used since version 1.0, Type C (mini HDMI) was released in version 1.3, and Type D (micro HDMI) was released in version 1.4.
HDMI 1.3
Increased bandwidth to 10.2 Gbps, supports Deep Color and HD audio streaming
A major revision launched in June 2006 increased the bandwidth to 10.2 Gbps at a stretch, and can support 30bit, 36bit and 48bit xvYCC, sRGB or YCbCr Deep Color technology. In addition, it supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA high-definition audio streaming, which can be decoded by Blu-ray machine via HDMI streaming audio to the supported amplifier. Subsequent HDMI 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3b1 and 1.3c are only minor changes.
The 3D boom brought by "Avatar" lasted for several years, so many of HDMI's new features are optimized for 3D.
HDMI 1.4
Support 4K / 30p, 3D and ARC
HDMI 1.4 can be regarded as the most popular version in the early years. It was launched in May 2009 and already supports 4K resolution, but only 4,096 × 2,160 / 24p or 3,840 × 2,160 / 24p / 25p / 30p. When the 3D boom began, HDMI 1.4 also supported 1080D / 720p, 720 / 50p / 60p 3D images. Audio has added a very practical ARC (Audio Return Channel) function, so that TV audio can be returned to the amplifier via HDMI and then output. Also added a 100Mbps network transmission function, you can share the Internet connection through HDMI.
HDMI 1.4a, 1.4b
Minor revision of newly added 3D function
The 3D boom brought on by "Avatar" continued all the way, so a small revision of HDMI 1.4a and 1.4b was launched in March 2010 and October 2011, mainly for 3D, such as the addition of two more broadcasts 3D format used, 3D images that support 1080 / 120p, etc.
Starting from HDMI 2.0, the video resolution supports 4K / 60p, which is also the more commonly used HDMI version of many TVs, amplifiers and other equipment.
HDMI 2.0
True 4K version, bandwidth increased to 18 Gbps
HDMI 2.0, which was launched in September 2013, is also known as "HDMI UHD". Although HDMI 1.4 already supports 4K video, it only supports lower specifications up to 30p. HDMI 2.0 increases the bandwidth from 10.2 Gbps to 18 Gbps, can support 4K / 60p video, and is compatible with Rec. 2020 color depth. At present, many devices, including TVs, power amplifiers, Blu-ray machines, etc., use this HDMI version.
The change to HDMI 2.0a is the addition of HDR support.
HDMI 2.0a
Support HDR
A minor revision of HDMI 2.0, launched in April 2015, added HDR support. At present, most new-generation TVs that support HDR will use this version, and new amplifiers, UHD Blu-ray players, etc. will also have HDMI 2.0a terminals. Afterwards, HDMI 2.0b was originally supported by the HDR10 specification, and the Hybrid HDR format for broadcasting was added.
The HDMI 2.1 standard announced earlier this year will support 8K resolution video.
HDMI 2.1
Support 8K / 60Hz, 4K / 120Hz video, Dynamic HDR (Dynamic HDR)
The latest HDMI version launched in January 2017 has a significantly increased bandwidth to 48Gbps and can support images up to 7,680 × 4,320 / 60Hz (8K / 60p) or higher frame rate images at 4K / 120Hz. HDMI 2.1 will continue to respond to the original HDMI A, C, and D plug design. It also supports the new Dynamic HDR technology. Compared to the current "static" HDR, "dynamic" HDR can further enhance the performance of contrasting the same light and dark levels according to the light and dark distribution of each frame. In terms of sound effects, HDMI 2.1 supports the new eARC technology. Compared with the existing ARC (Audio Return Channel), it can return object-based sound effects such as Dolby Atmos.
HDMI2.1 version is compatible with all devices that support HDMI2. HDMI2.1 version supports a maximum of 10 resolutions, including 8K resolution refresh rate of 60Hz, 4K resolution refresh rate of 120Hz, dynamic HDR and adaptive refresh rate technology, and amazing bandwidth 48Gbps, in addition to using more environmentally friendly anti-electromagnetic interference technology.
Dynamic HDR technology supports ensuring that every frame of the video has its optimal values, including depth of field, detail, brightness, contrast, and a wider range of colors.
Support maximum 10K resolution, 8K resolution refresh rate 60Hz, 4K resolution refresh rate 120Hz, support commercial AV video companies, enterprises and special purposes.
