If you ’re look to buy one of thebest modern TVs , or even just a pretty good modern television set , then you ’ll probably end up with a TV that supports HDMI 2.1 . This is the latest mainstream standard of this particularly useful connector that enables higher resolution and refresh rate support , as well as authoritative young feature for gaming and HDR flick and TV watching . It ’s better at connecting yoursoundbar , games console , home theater system , and UHD Blu - ray player to your TV , and it ’s whole backwards compatible with older HDMi monetary standard , too .

In short , HDMI 2.1 is the only connexion you need for pretty much any modern gimmick that connects to your TV . You do n’t have to use it for aged devices , but unless you ’re sitting on a stack of older HDMI transmission line , you might as well .

HDMI 2.2 might be just around the corner , but for now , HDMI 2.1 is the king of the living room connexion . Here ’s everything you call for to know .

Want a more universal explainer on HDMI technology?Head here for everything you require to know .

What is HDMI 2.1?

HDMI 2.1 is the later mainstream generation of HDMI cable and connection technology , offer higher bandwidth , bang-up backing for higher resolutions and refresh charge per unit , and support for new feature . HDMI 2.2 has been announced , but no products or displays utilize it as of yet and the cables are n’t available at the time of piece of writing . Look out for them later in 2025 , and affirm devices in 2026 or beyond .

Just because there ’s something young amount soon , though , does n’t mean HDMI 2.1 is n’t impressive . Where previous generation made incremental improvement to the standard , HDMI 2.1 made a major leap , turning it into the premier connection touchstone for consumer devices in the living way .

back by the latest games cabinet , nontextual matter cards , TVs , admonisher , and Blu - ray players , HDMI 2.1 is the best way to connect most modern media twist together . Although DisplayPort 2.1 does offer greater bandwidth , that ’s more of a desktop PC connector character .

HDMI 2.1 supports all the traditional audio and visual technologies , too , includingDolby Atmosand DTS : Xmultichannel hem in speech sound , HDR metadata , and all the other little bit that need to get from a4 K Ultra HD Blu - ray playeror astreaming medium playerto a video . It also adds support for varying refresh rates , quick media switch , auto - low - latent period modal value for gaming , and root - based tone function , among other features .

What’s new with HDMI 2.1?

Resolution

As we ’ve established , HDMI 2.1 allows for high resolution at high frame rates than before . With HDMI 2.0b , we could enjoy a maximum of 4 one thousand resolution at a maximal frame rate of 60Hz . With HDMI 2.1 , we can get 4 super acid at 120Hz , 8 K at 60Hz , and up to 10 K result for industrial and commercial diligence .

This is particularlygreat news for gamers , as gamy flesh rates mean smoother , better - looking games . It ’s also peachy news for the film diligence , and the HDMI arrangement says some Hollywood directors are eager to migrate to 120Hz native filming as they see to deliver high frame charge per unit message to the braggart screen and beyond .

eARC

The Audio Return Channel ( ARC ) is an HDMI 2.0b feature that let audio move back and forth over an HDMI cable between a TV and an Ab receiver or soundbar . regrettably , the limited bandwidth of HDMI 2.0b means that audio is often squeeze and keep down down to stereo , resulting in “ lossy , ” lower - timber audio .

With HDMI 2.0’sEnhanced Audio Return Channel ( eARC ) , we can now get uncompressed , full - resolution audio over HDMI 2.1 connections . Dolby Atmosis a double-dyed good example . With ARC , Atmos only go when using Dolby Digital Plus , a compact audio signal . eARC let Dolby Atmos give its best performance using Dolby TrueHD , a “ lossless , ” high - resolution audio signal .

This will simplify system setups dramatically because it means user can colligate everything to their idiot box and then run a single HDMI cable to their receiver or soundbar without recede sound timbre . few cables , less mess , better sound !

Dynamic HDR

The high - dynamic range is alreadythe best improvement to TV picture qualitysince 1080p HD , but it can be even better . If you ’re at all intimate with Dolby ’s version of HDR , Dolby Vision , then you likely know the reason some reader deal it superscript to other data format — it is a “ dynamical HDR ” medium . In other countersign , Dolby Vision create changes to the options of an image as the image itself changes . The result is a more accurate , vivacious , and , well , dynamicpicture .

The only hangup with Dolby Vision is that it is a proprietary engineering , and not every electronics manufacturing business want to make up licensing fee to utilise it . HDMI 2.1 brings dynamic HDR performance to other flavors , including the dynamic version of HDR10 , fuck asHDR10 + , and others , which should bring unspoilt HDR experience to more TVs and more formats .

But hold back : Is n’t HDR10 + already possible using HDMI 2.0b ? Technically , yes , but it ’s not an officially supported technology when done over HDMI 2.0b . HDMI 2.1 makes it official , which in turn should make it extremely reliable .

Variable refresh rate

As we mentioned in the section on resolution , HDMI 2.1 can support higher systema skeletale rates for fluent video . But just as importantly from a gaming view , it allows for varying frame rates . mod PC and console game do not utilize a single underframe rate throughout the game . It varies — sometimes by quite a lot — look on the complexness of the scene .

When frame pace drop or speed up up , there is a mismatch between what the plot is providing and what the TV is set to display . To even off , the telly has to do some dead reckoning , and the result is n’t pretty . Lag , judder , and frame tearing are all symptoms of trying to toy VRR game on an HDMI 2.0b non - VRR - open show . HDMI 2.1 gives telecasting the ability to beperfect big - screen gaming companions . That ’s especially crucial if you are using novel console like the Xbox Series X or PS5 , which are built with VRR in psyche .

Quick frame transport

This lineament reduce the fourth dimension it takes for a bod of telecasting to fall from the source gadget ( like a PC or console table ) to a show ( like a TV or practical reality — VR — headset ) . Again , this is keen for gamers , who will acknowledge much less lag , especially those who wish riotous - action , first - somebody hitman . VR users will profit from an every bit reduced time between movement and the world presented through their goggles .

Quick media switching

Utilizing the same HDMI VRR mechanism that hardcore gamers have been taking advantage of , Quick Media Switching ( QMS ) is a cool HDMI 2.1b feature film that eliminates something called “ blackouts . ” This is that one- to three - 2d dropout in signal that pass off when you ’re switching from one HDMI source to another . As long as Source B has the same closure as Source A , HDMI 2.1b should allow you to change inputs without any blackout time whatsoever .

Auto low-latency mode (ALLM)

Yet another advance for gamers , ALLM lets a television or other display make out when the signal is coming from a game console or microcomputer . When that happens , the video display can mechanically turn off any painting processing that could introduce response time or lag . You ’ll never have to pick out Game Mode on your television again .

No more lip-sync issues

With elderly HDMI standards , it could be a hassle to synchronise the video recording from your TV with the audio from your receiver or soundbar . This is because the goggle box may be using a heavy amount of processing , while the sound system ’s processing take in far less sentence than the video processing .

The result is a detain yield of a video signal relative to an audio signaling , and the result of that mismatch is sound that ( oh - so - frustratingly ) does n’t match the timing of your characterisation . HDMI 2.1 makes it potential for TVs to talk in real prison term to AV receiver , soundbars , Blu - ray players , biz console table , and other source machine to ensure your video and sound recording are in perfect sync all the clip .

This will be further improved in HDMI 2.2 , which will put in a new Latency Indication Protocol ( LIP ) feature article , that maintains audio and video synchronization even when using ARC and eARC in complicated A / volt systems . Although HDMI 2.2 is rearward compatible with HDMI 2.1 , the new standard will be required for this lineament , so HDMI 2.1 wo n’t be able to make use of it .

What is HDMI 2.1a?

HDMI 2.1a was precede in February 2022 and did n’t make any changes to HDMI 2.1 ’s capabilities in terms of bandwidth or resolving and refresh rate support . It did , however , impart support for a raw feature hump as Source Based Tone Mapping ( SBTM ) . This is particularly utile when viewing active HDR subject matter ( using HDR10 + or Dolby Vision ) while there are also other SDR or non - active HDR depicted object on the screen at the same time , such as menus , overlays , or chevrons .

SBTM countenance the display make full use of its HDR capabilities , without also applying those to the SDR or other segment of the screen , making for more nuanced and capable HDR implementation .

What is HDMI 2.1b?

HDMI 2.1b is the latest HDMI 2.1 touchstone , and it introduced a few new features . As per the official specifications , HDMI 2.1b innovate prescribed bread and butter for 10 K resolution , and good support for dynamical HDR and source - found tone mapping . You do n’t require to upgrade your cable to enjoy these features , though , with software update doing all the heavy lifting .

What about HDMI 2.2?

HDMI 2.2is what comes next . It ’s not available yet , but when it is , it ’s going to be very impressive with double the bandwidth and new features to enjoy .

Do I need to use HDMI 2.1?

perfectly not . If your TV supports4 K UHD resolutionandhigh - active - range ( HDR),you may stream 4 K movies just the same . Similarly , if you ’re watching 1080p Blu - rays , or are glad to play honest-to-god console games , or limit yourself to a upper limit of 60Hz at 4 chiliad resolution , then older HDMI cables and connecter are absolutely workable .

HDMI 2.1 just gives you more pick . It lets you dally Xbox Series X / S and PlayStation 5 game at up to 4 super acid resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate . It patronize 8 K resolution if you want to connect your personal computer to a high - ending varan or TV . It endure dynamic HDR and rootage - found tone mapping , among other feature . You wo n’t get those with an older HDMI 2.0 cable system , for example .

Is it OK to buy a TV that doesn’t have HDMI 2.1?

Sure , if you are n’t going to use its features . But that function for most television receiver features . All flagship TVs from the top producer get with HDMI 2.1 support , and even most mid - range and entry - tier TVs will have one or two . Budget TVs sometimes do n’t , so take that into considerateness if it ’s a feature article you need to buy .

need additional Spanish pointer on buying a new television set ? Check our ourTV buyer ’s template .

If you’recurrentlyin the market for a high - end television receiver , better to go with an HDMI 2.1 - capable model that wo n’t break the bank and future - proof your domicile theater setup . On the other hand , if you ’re more concerned in save money and look for deals , do n’t be afraid to piece a TV with HDMI 2.0 , as long as you sympathize what you ’re giving up .

Does HDMI 2.1 require new HDMI cables to work properly?

Yes . Since the newfangled standard nearlytriplesthe amount of information that can correspond down an HDMI cable at once , a new cables is necessary . Although it ’s rearwards compatible with senior HDMI standard , to take full advantage of HDMI 2.1 , you ’ll need to utilize a newUltra gamy - Speed Certified HDMI cable television .

In some rare illustration , it may be possible to utilise an exist Certified gamy - Speed HDMI overseas telegram with a newer HDMI 2.1 gadget , but since the amount of information being ram down this digital pipeline is increasing at a rapid rate , we advise you to buy new Ultra gamy - Speed HDMI cables along with any HDMI 2.1 - capable gadget that does n’t already include them . If that sound expensive , do n’t worry — they do n’t be much more than standard high-pitched - Speed HDMI cable television .

Wondering which HDMI cable you should buy ? Check out ourlist of recommend HDMI cablesfor all kinds of gadget and instalment . Focus on the speed credentials of your cable , which helps ensure you ’re getting a cable that is able of supporting crucial HDMI 2.1 feature article .

It ’s easiest to do this in soul if possible : take care for the holographic . Ultra Certified Cablelabel attached directly to your HDMI cable , which include a piddling QR code for authenticating . This stands for corroboration by the HDMI Licensing Administrator , so you know the cable system can do by the speeds necessary to enable many crucial HDMI 2.1 features , such as in high spirits resolutions partner off with high refresh rates .

Is HDMI 2.1 backward compatible?

Yes . You will be able to connect any HDMI - enable twist bear out any older version of the HDMI criterion , and it will put to work just finely on a new HDMI 2.1 - enable television set or display . Ultra gamy Speed HDMI cables are backward - compatible too . For instance , if in the future tense you want to connect your then - archaic Xbox One to your lustrous new8 K TVwith HDMI 2.1 , that wo n’t be a job at all . Nothing is change about the size or connection eccentric of the HDMI cable length ports and jacks .

Can my HDMI 2.0b devices be firmware upgraded to HDMI 2.1?

No . While there are premium Saratoga chip out there that can be firmware upgraded , they are extremely expensive and rarely used by manufacturers . chance are that your exist HDMI 2.0b devices do n’t have one of those rare chipsets build into them .

Do monitors have HDMI 2.1 too?

Yes , they do — there are some excellent monitoring equipment with HDMI 2.1,especially for gaming . And brands like Asushave whole pages commit to it . Keep in intellect that you ’ll take a GPU that also patronize HDMI 2.1 feature to really profit , butmost modern graphic cardshave that . You do n’t absolutely need HDMI 2.1 to reach 120Hz or even 144Hz refresh rates , but it is significant for supportingbothhigh refresh rates and high solvent at the same time .

Special thanks to Jeff Park at HDMI LA , Brad Bramy at HDMI.org , andChris HeinonenofWirecutterandReference Home Theaterfor providing thick expert screen background for this article .