Thanks to modern technology, we have many useful and convenient products for various needs: from cooking to comfortable cleaning. Television equipment, which began to be equipped with the HDMI standard, which today has already become familiar, does not stand aside. And he has just been gaining popularity lately. What is such a cable and what versions of HDMI exist today, and will be discussed in this article.
What is HDMI?
Old analog TVs are a thing of the past long ago, although some still have them and work properly. Nowadays, modern and beautiful digital panels of various sizes and formats are everywhere in stores. Actually, the HDMI standard was created just for such TVs that produce a better image than an analog signal.
This connector is not only common among home theaters and game consoles, it is also more common in Blu-ray players, laptops, and even computers. This interface stands for what can be translated as - high-definition multimedia interface.
But in addition to the video signal, any version of the HDMI cable is capable of transmitting audio data, and also of high quality, which is an invaluable advantage over analog cables. And now it's hard to find any multimedia device without HDMI interface. And in modern TVs, there are at least 2 such connectors.
The essential advantage of HDMI
How do these cables differ from other analogs and why are they so popular? The answer is simple - video over such a cable can be transmitted in 1080p (Full High Definition). And at the moment it is the highest quality format, and therefore widespread.
Perhaps some of us still remember the S-Video interface and composite cable, because relatively recently with their help we enjoyed our favorite films, TV shows and concerts. And the picture quality was fine with us. The emergence of a new standard and various versions of HDMI meant a serious step into the future in comparison with the listed analogs.
Without a doubt, the new technology provides a better picture, although most people do not see the difference between digital and analog images. Only if the video is initially not very good quality or even completely bad, then it is more pleasant to watch it through the already old interfaces.
As for the transmission of the audio signal, it is also of high quality. Thanks to the HDMI interface, you can transmit up to 8 channels of 24-bit audio at 192 kHz. This allows you to fully enjoy formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Identical sound can only be obtained using as many as 8 analog cables! It is unlikely that any music lover wants to fiddle with wires, which all the time get confused and create interference.
HDMI varieties
Due to the wide range of these cable products, many people have a reasonable question about how to find out the version of the HDMI cable. To answer this question, it is worth considering which types have already been created. We owe this new HD standard to HDMI Licensing LLC. In turn, it was formed thanks to the efforts of several companies:
- Sony;
- Panasonic;
- Philips;
- Thompson (now Technicolor)
- Hitachi;
- Toshiba;
- Silicon Image.
The HDMI interface was created to replace the outdated one that many still remember. And he coped with the task very well.
In fact, HDMI is a cluster of 19 wires assembled into a single braid with several insulating layers inside. The minimum bandwidth is 4.9 Gbps (version 1.0). The transmission of a digital signal is not accompanied by its compression, which is the reason for its high quality.
The very first version of HDMI cable was first introduced in 2002, and soon the products were firmly rooted in their niche. However, its development did not stop, and almost every year a new version appeared, and at the time of 2013 there were already 10 of them:
- HDMI 1.0.
- HDMI 1.1.
- HDMI 1.2.
- HDMI 1.2a.
- HDMI 1.3.
- HDMI 1.3b.
- HDMI 2.0.
At the same time, each version has its own differences: as a rule, everything went to an increase in bandwidth and the addition of many useful functions.
It is not difficult for an ordinary consumer to get confused in such a variety, so after the release of HDMI 1.4, HDMI Licensing LLC, with the support of many manufacturers, decided to move away from digital classification. Now everything is much simpler:
- 2 ordinary standards (category 1);
- 2 high-speed interfaces (category 2);
- one specialized protocol for vehicles.
Thus, the whole variety of versions was reduced to 5 standards. It is worth considering them in more detail, and then the differences will manifest themselves in all their glory. More on this below.
HDMI standard
It has been a long time since the HDMI 1.0 cable appeared, and now the usual standard can already be equated with version 1.3. These cables are suitable for almost all consumer home devices, be they DVD players, satellite TV receivers, plasma or LCD panels.
The image is transmitted in 1080i or 720p, sometimes it can support 1080p, but there are no guarantees. This option is suitable in cases where there is no need to transmit high quality picture and sound. It has a bandwidth of 4.9 Gbps, a clock frequency of 74.25 MHz with a color depth of no more than 24 bits.
Through such a cable, simple signals can be transmitted between simple devices. There can be no question of high gear here, and accordingly there is no detail here either. Therefore, those for whom it is important to get a high-quality picture from the screen should not choose such a cable.
HDMI with Ethernet
Here everything is the same as listed above (resolution 1080i or 720p, etc.). The only difference is that there is an additional Ethernet channel with speeds up to 100 Mbit / s. Of course, this is not yet a full-fledged HDMI 1.4, but it is enough for home use.
The interface will fully function only if both connected devices support this function - that is, they are equipped with an Ethernet HDMI connector.
In addition to the fact that the cable provides, at the same time it is possible to distribute data received from the World Wide Web between all connected devices. In addition, there is another additional feature that a standard cable does not have - Audio Return Channel technology.
HDMI car version
It is a new development that is specially designed for use in vehicles. The cable can work in the most difficult conditions:
- high level of humidity;
- strong vibrations;
- temperature changes.
With its help, you can connect the on-board computer, which is present in almost any modern car, to various multimedia devices that have a micro-HDMI connector. And at the same time, despite all these harsh conditions, the signal will remain the highest quality. The standard is most common among specialists in the installation of car audio systems, as well as amateurs of good car audio.
The cables are equipped with an E type connector with a special lock, which allows the convector to be fixed in the socket in the best way. As a result, disconnection of devices during their use is excluded.
High Speed HDMI
These are just the cables that allow you to enjoy the pleasant spectacle of what is happening on the screen in all its glory! The list of connected devices is much wider when compared with a conventional interface:
- Blu-ray players, including those with 3D function.
- HDD players.
- Satellite television.
- Plasma or LCD TVs.
- Game consoles.
That is, it is practically an HDMI 2.0 cable, since it is possible to transfer images with a resolution of 1080p or more. That is, formats such as 3D, Deep Color and 4K (4096 × 2160, 24Hz) are supported. The maximum bandwidth is 10.2 Gbps at 48-bit color and 340 MHz clock rate.
In other words, connection is possible between absolutely any devices. In addition, this interface is compatible with all types of HDMI, only if the A-type connector is used.
However, compared to the usual HDMI standard, the distinctive features do not end there. And the whole point is not only in the size of the cross-section and the material of the twisted pairs, but also in the quality of their dielectrics, as well as in the methods of shielding.
Ultimately, this results in a cost formation that is higher than that of standard cables. However, you can only enjoy high-quality content with a slightly more expensive analogue. Therefore, it is better to overpay a little, but watch full-fledged three-dimensional films, rather than and then think for a long time how to connect an HDMI cable to a TV.
High Speed HDMI and Ethernet
Here are the same parameters, only an additional Internet channel with a speed of 100 Mbit / s has been added. If all connected devices support Ethernet HDMI, then the functionality is fully revealed. This option is the best alternative available today. This is a universal HDMI standard that has all the necessary functionality. Such cords are relevant for the future.
Connector types
In addition to the listed varieties, HDMI cables can have excellent connector sizes:
- Type A is a standard connector that is widespread among many household devices (TVs, players, projectors, and the like).
- Type B - this HDMI has a wider video channel, its resolution is significantly higher than the 1080p format.
- Type C and D - micro-HDMI and mini-HDMI fall into this category, respectively. Using these cords, you can connect tablets, smartphones and cameras.
- Type E - this variety has already been discussed above and belongs to the automotive standard, equipped with a special lock.
All types, with the exception of B, have 19 pins, while it has more of them - 29. In order not to guess exactly which connector is needed for each specific device, you should look at the documentation, which is always included in the kit.
Of course, if it is not purchased from hands on the secondary market. In this case, it is necessary, as far as possible, not to use adapters. The fewer “middlemen” the better.
Connecting to old TVs
At the beginning of the article, it was mentioned that some people still have old TVs that are still working. And here a situation often arises when it is necessary to connect a device to it. How can this be done, really not to use any This question haunts many "antique dealers".
At first glance, it seems that this is impossible to achieve and it is easier to get a new TV. However, not every person has such tools, although flat panels have dropped a little in price.
In fact, this is a doable task that can be solved by purchasing an HDMI to RCA converter. With it, you can connect not only a computer to an old TV, but also a DVR, laptop, modern game console, media set-top box and any other device with HDMI.
Often, so-called HDMI to RCA adapters are offered to users on the Internet, but such devices are not suitable for the simple reason that the supplied digital signal needs to be converted into an analog form that will be understandable by old TVs. And passive adapters will not be able to do this, therefore it is necessary to give preference to converters.
Many similar devices (HDMI "tulip") support 480P, 720P, 1080P, 1080I with upscaling function. The output is 480i (720x480, 60 Hz) and 576i (720x576, 50 Hz), which correspond to the NTSC and PAL standards, respectively. There is a switch to select the desired color. A USB cable is provided for powering the converter.
Telephone TV
In some cases, it may be necessary to connect the phone to the TV, which is doable. However, there is an opinion that it is enough to purchase a micro-USB-HDMI adapter. But in reality, not everything is so simple. You can connect your phone to your TV, but for this, both devices must have MHL support. That is, the TV must have an HDMI / MHL port, which is not relevant for all models.
If everything is so, then the thing is small - to buy the right cable. But here there is one caveat: some gadgets, such as Samsung, have 11 contacts, while other models have only 5. This also needs to be taken into account, but otherwise it is the same cable with a micro -USB, and from the other - HDMI. You don't need to make any adjustments, just go to the desired mode via the signal source menu.
But there is also such a situation: the phone has MHL support, but it is absent on the TV. Here you just can't do without a special USB - HDMI adapter, although it's even more like an adapter that allows you to convert an MHL signal into a stream that can be understood by a TV with ordinary HDMI. And since this device is active, it definitely needs power, for which any standard charging is suitable. It looks like a box with the necessary connectors.
It's important to know
There is one important point about HDMI cable length: the longer it is, the thicker the cable should be. For example, for 5 meters, this is 7 mm, which is referred to as 28AWG. This is how the wires are calibrated according to the American system. A table of other lengths for different HDMI versions is shown in the table below.
Greater cable thickness means the use of larger conductors and better insulation. All this allows you to transmit a signal without loss. And in terms of compatibility, the new generation HDMI versions work just fine with the older standards.
All the advantages of transferring digital video content using an HDMI cable are obvious. Perhaps in the near future, such an interface will combine even more functions. In addition, the work on the new video resolution does not stop and there is already talk about the 8K format. What will happen next? Wait and see.
Not long ago, the HDMI Forum, the organization responsible for this ubiquitous audio / video connection, announced version 2.0. Then HDMI 2.0a, HDMI 2.0b and more recently HDMI 2.1.
So what does this mean for us?
At one level, HDMI versions shouldn't matter. In fact, many manufacturers do not indicate the HDMI version used on their TVs, video players and other devices. You are generally confident that the new 4K HDR TV you buy will work with the new 4-channel HDR video player and will deliver the highest quality signals available to each one. You can also safely use cheap HDMI cables (for now).
However, when trying to connect equipment that is not new, the HDMI version can make a big difference. This is because older HDMI devices cannot handle the latest video formats, namely 4K and HDR, or the highest quality versions of each. If you are worried about this, you should check the HDMI version from the device you are buying.
What is behind the version numbers.
If you buy any HDMI product in 2017, you should make sure it has at least HDMI 2.0. This will give you 4K resolution and at least 60 frames per second. More importantly, this version gets HDCP 2.2, a copy protection protocol, so you can actually watch 4K content sent from an external device (like a Roku or 4K Blu-ray player).What's more, every part of your AV network requires HDMI 2.0 / HDCP 2.2 to function. So if you have an HDMI 2.0 4K player and HDMI 2.0 TV, but an older HDMI 1.4 soundbar or AV receiver ... you're out of luck.
Version 2.0a was a small update, adding support for high dynamic range (HDR).
Most of the "b" is a transfer from versions "a" and "_" to version 2.0 with some refinements, most notably Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). This is another way to deliver HDR content, the next step.
For now, don't worry about it. There is no support for HLG anywhere yet. The only reason 2.0b deserves mention is that this version is used on 2017 TVs instead of HDMI 2.1. This brings us to ...
Long jump in 2.1.
HDMI 2.1 is an upcoming update and a significant leap forward in video transmission technology. It takes everything from 2.0b and adds insane things like 10K resolution at a whopping 120Hz, far beyond any TV that can do now or can do in the near future. HDMI 2.1 is like buying an industrial excavator when you think you'll plant a rose bush someday. It is doubtful that you will see many products implementing the full 2.1 specification this year, but perhaps next year they will.This huge leap requires new cables, but only if you want to transfer higher resolutions and frame rates. These new cables are part of the new specification. The cables are labeled "48G" and represent a much larger "pipe" for this data flow.
Here is a table comparing the capabilities of the formats.
Comparison of HDMI versions.
| HDMI version | Maximum resolution | Max frame rate 4K | HDCP 2.2 | HDR | WCG | Hybrid Log Gamma | Dynamic metadata |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 4K | 30Hz | No | No | No | No | No |
| 2.0 | 4K | 60Hz | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| 2.0a | 4K | 60Hz | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 2.0b | 4K | 60Hz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2.1 | 10K | 120Hz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No new cables ... maybe.
But the good news is that you don't actually need new cables for HDMI 2.1 (or 2.0a or b) provided two conditions are met:- You are only using "normal" resolutions such as 4K / 60 or less (ie, virtually all content and TVs).
- Your cables today are fully compliant with the high speed specifications laid down many years ago.
The second part is more difficult to define. If you bought an HDMI cable a few years ago, no matter the price, it might handle 4K resolutions. This also may not be the case. The only way to say something is to try it. If you are not receiving an image or the image is clipped, your cable may not be able to handle the resolution and / or frame rate. If it is true,
a new cable will probably be required (although it shouldn't be expensive).
Which version do I need?
As mentioned earlier, everything you buy now must be at least HDMI 2.0, and frankly, it would be surprising if at this point you find a new cable that is not 2.0 compliant. Most manufacturers will not list the letters "a" or "b", although if the manufacturer indicated that it supports HDR, the version is probably at least 2.0a and possibly 2.0b.This begs the question: is it possible to update the TV via a firmware update to become "a", "b" or ".1"? Answer: maybe yes, maybe no. HDMI Forum - The people behind the HDMI standards are understandably reluctant to discuss what manufacturers can do. However, we can understand a few things.
Most HDR-compatible devices will likely leave the factory with 2.0a. Since HDR is something that requires serious hardware, it doesn't make sense to add the ability to read HDR data on a non-HDR TV. So the only products that might require 2.0a but don't ship with it are slightly older (about 2 years old) devices. In theory, can you add it? In some cases, probably yes. Companies don't like updating old devices with new features because they want to sell more of their products.
A change from 2.0a to 2.0b is much more likely as these are minor changes. As mentioned, this is not a change you need to worry about right now.
Moving from anything to 2.1 is extremely unlikely. The problem lies in the chips inside the TV itself, which should be able to handle a lot more data. Remember that even if your TV can only display 4K / 60, HDMI chips must be able to handle 10K / 120 to be "HDMI 2.1" compliant. It would be like Toyota fitted racing tires to your Camry at the factory. This is one of the reasons 2017 devices might have 2.0b, but none of them will have 2.1. Another reason is that the final 2.1 specification is not yet complete (as of today).
Will your next TV have HDMI 2.1? Maybe next year. 2019? Probably. Don't worry about that for now. And of course, all versions are backward compatible, so you can connect your HDMI 1.4 Blu-ray player to your HDMI 2.0b TV without having any problems.
"Shouldn't" is the catchphrase when it comes to HDMI.
HDMI Forum, which is a non-profit resource that reviews the HDMI specifications, recently announced the release of version 2.0. The new version of the interface has a number of changes, the most significant of which is support for video with a higher frame rate than was possible in the case of the current 1.4 specification.
In this regard, questions arise: how will this affect the future of television, and in general - is it worth purchasing new devices with support for HDMI 2.0?
Good old HDMI 1.4
Let's start with the current version of HDMI 1.4, which has the following parameters: support for video with a resolution of 4096 × 2160 pixels and a frequency of 24 frames per second or 3820 × 2160 pixels at a frequency of 30 frames per second. If you've recently bought any device with an HDMI port, it's likely version 1.4. HDMI 1.4, in addition to all the previous characteristics, has support for 3D images and Audio Return Channel technology.
HDMI 2.0 for 4K Ultra High Definition Television
With the TV industry moving steadily and steadily towards ultra-high-definition (4K) television, it has become clear that better connections and more bandwidth will be needed to enable high-definition, high-frame rate video transmission.
And here comes HDMI 2.0, which supports 4K (2160p) with frame rates up to 60fps. This allows you to seamlessly stream ultra-high definition video using 3D technology, not to mention high frame rate 2D. This is primarily about home video and computer games, since almost all films are shot at a frame rate of 24fps, and this innovation is not so important for watching them.
HDMI 2.0 bandwidth
Most important in HDMI 2.0 is the increase in the size of the "pipe" that carries information from the source to the display, which allows for higher frame rates in high-definition video. It also makes it possible to stream videos at a lower resolution.
For example, HDMI 2.0 supports multiple video streams, and you can watch two Full HD videos at the same time on one device. Seems incredible? But companies like Samsung and LG have already developed versions of similar displays, such as MultiView... Now you can watch your favorite TV show while your spouse, for example, is playing Call of Duty 9.
The version also supports video with an aspect ratio of 21: 9, which is interesting in theory, but so far hardly applicable in practice. Only a few of these displays have been released so far.
Updating software
It is currently somewhat unclear if it will be possible to update products with HDMI 1.4 (such as Ultra HD TV) simply by downloading firmware updates. Sony has announced that its products can be upgraded in a similar manner.
But the HDMI.org project announced that this feature will not apply to all products:
Currently, there is a provision to update the version of the specification from 1.x to 2.0. Hardware changes and / or firmware upgrades will be required to get the new, expanded feature set. If possible, the manufacturer will inform you about it.
Since the specifications and bandwidth are provided by the HDMI chips installed inside the products, the fact that the chips in the new series are larger than the current ones can be quite a problem. So it's understandable why HDMI is being removed from the update process for now. It is not yet stated that this is generally impossible, just links to the manufacturers of equipment are given.
I am glad that, according to the manufacturer, you don't have to buy a new cable:
HDMI 2.0 does not require new cables or ports. Today's High Speed cables can handle the increased bandwidth. "
Despite this statement, malfunctions may occur in some cases because the cables are not fully capable of transmitting signals at high speed. But even in this case, you do not have to buy an expensive cable, you just need to try another suitable one.
Most likely, equipment with the HDMI 2.0 version will appear on the market only in 2014, since the implementation of any development is a complex, multi-stage process. Although Panasonic is already promising to launch HDMI 2.0 TVs soon.
Undoubtedly, HDMI 2.0 is a great innovation that will take the very culture of video viewing to the next level. But you don't have to worry about that until you can get ready-made products with HDMI 2.0. Even then, your current HDMI 1.4 TV should perform as well as any new 2.0 TV.
But, if in a few years you buy a 4K TV and want to watch 2160 / 60p video from your Blu-ray player, then you will need to upgrade your receiver to HDMI 2.0.
An update to the HDMI specification has been released, dubbed HDMI 2.0a. The new specification takes into account the regulation of High Dynamic Range () data transfer between an HDR-compatible source and a TV. Here's what you should know about it.
HDMI 2.0a is the latest version of the beloved yet despised specification that governs the use of all of the many cables, inputs and outputs that connect virtually everything in your home entertainment centers. Updates to the specification are small, but very important for the current and subsequent years.
The most important thing here is this: as before, the change does not affect the actual cable. Therefore, your existing HDMI cables should continue to work fine.
If you haven't read the HDMI 2.0 standard description yet, you should first. Since it has undergone significant changes in comparison with the previous version (1.4).
However, each of these changes is related to the chips inside the TV or signal sources such as Blu-ray players, and does not touch the cables. The cable is just a "pipe" for data transmission. The cable does not care what signal and in what resolution it transmits - 4K, HD, standard definition video or something else: HDR, 2160p, 720p - all these are just variations of one theme, the basis of which lies in sending many zeros and ones.
You may not even see HDMI 2.0a mentioned in TV manuals. The same was the case with HDMI 2.0. Let's see.
What has changed?
Specification changes are solely related to HDR content. Unlike HDR for cameras, HDR for television offers greater realism through higher brightness whites and other enhancements, and requires compatible TVs, source devices, and special content.
Let's start by quoting directly from the HDMI Forum, which describes the specification. We bring to your attention the relevant excerpt from the press release dated April 8, which gives a description of HDMI 2.0a:
The specification has been updated to accommodate the transmission of HDR formats, which offer improved image quality, allowing for the simultaneous transmission of finer details in both dark and light areas of the picture. Updates related to HDR are related to CEA-861.3 - the recent HDR Static Metadata Extensions update published by CEA.
Basically, the changes concerned mainly the description of how to transfer HDR metadata. This is the information placed at the beginning of the frame, hinting the HDR-compatible display on how best to use the improved color and contrast characteristics of the frame. Thus, for example, the 4K Blu-ray player of the future will be able to read dark scenes in an already dark village and "tell" the display how to best display them using all the HDR tools.
It is noteworthy that the specification does not regulate streaming connections directly to TV and the Internet - for example, HDR from Amazon or Netflix (they will be available from the summer) - but only with HDMI sources. This is because streaming connections completely eliminate the HDMI link, allowing a direct connection between the Internet and a TV decoder, which typically uses compression (High Efficiency Video Coding) for 4K video or.
What does this mean for you?
The key thing to learn is that HDMI 2.0a is only relevant to the new 2015 high-end TVs that understand and are capable of displaying HDR content. Most of the 2015 4K TVs (and not 4K TVs either), including many high-end TVs - notably LG's 2015 OLED TVs, do not support HDR. They don't need HDMI 2.0a, they have nothing to do with the HDR signal - either through HDMI or the other way.
The only TVs we know of in 2015 that support HDR are Samsung's SUHD models, Vizio's Reference series, Panasonic's CX850, and Sony's most expensive XBR models.
CNET contacted these four manufacturers to find out if their models will be HDMI 2.0a compliant. Sony said the XBR-75X940C and XBR-65X930C (the company's only 2015 HDR TVs) will be compatible.
The responses from the rest of the companies were more vague. "Samsung is studying the HDMI 2.0a standard and will be happy to propose an update," was the answer from a company representative, who, however, did not provide any further information on what TVs would expect such an update, or how it will be provided.
The gist of Vizio's response was that "Vizio will provide details of the specifications closer to the time the models are released to the market." And Panasonic did not answer at all.
HDMI 2.0a does not have many changes, and most likely they will not affect you at all. However, as in previous years, we decided to warn those who use cables about them just in case. So when someone says to you: HDMI 2.0a compatible cable! Only $ 999.99 per meter! ”, You can save money and buy yourself a more budget option.
At the moment, in the American market (the most "advanced" on the planet) a couple of dozen Ultra HD 4K large-screen TVs are already on sale or will soon go on sale, but real support for the new, high-speed HDMI 2.0 specification is present in only one of them (Panasonic 65WT600 4K Ultra HD for US $ 6K) and two home theater projectors (from US $ 25K each). Therefore, it will be very interesting to get acquainted with the answers of the main manufacturers to the question about plans to support HDMI 2.0, the possibility of updating / upgrading already released TVs and assessing the need for HDMI 2.0 in TVs, although "premium", but still consumer class, i.e. for personal use.
We have already reported that HDMI Licensing has released a new version of the HDMI 2.0 standard, replacing the previous HDMI 1.4 with upscaling and upscaling, but without replacing existing High Speed HDMI Cable or High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet cables. The most important can be considered a significant increase in bandwidth up to 18 Gbps (this is the total, unformatted - raw - bandwidth, and for the payload, the bandwidth will be reduced by 20%, as for all previous HDMI specifications) to support new capabilities, for example video resolution (clarity) 4K @ 50/60 Hz (2160p), which is four times higher than the previous value (1080p / 60), as well as the addition of 32 audio (audio) channels, automatic dynamic synchronization of the audio track dubbing (dynamic auto lip-sync ) and new extensions to the CEC control commands.
However, a TV with HDMI 1.4 inputs will not be able to handle an HDMI 2.0 video source at higher definition / frame rates. In other words, virtually all current 4K UHD TVs are incompatible with the 4K UHD / HDMI 2.0 limits. Modern TVs with HDMI 1.4a ports and UHD clarity from Samsung, LG, Toshiba and Sony support UHD or 2160p (3840x2160) resolution, but only at frame rates no higher than 24fps. This is enough for watching movies, but not enough for the experimental 2160p TV channels already in operation with frame rates of 50 or 60 frames / s. To visualize the figures under discussion, you can simply multiply the number of pixels vertically and horizontally for UHD / 2160p: 3840 x 2160 = 8,294,400 pixels or 8.3 megapixels, i.e. equal to the level of a camera-soap box (about 8 Mpixels) or two times less than the resolution of the main camera of a modern smartphone (about 15 Mpixels).
To address the inconsistency between the existing TV models and the existing standard, some companies have announced the possibility of upgrading through a firmware update, which supposedly will turn HDMI 1.4 inputs into HDMI 2.0 inputs. Other manufacturers are honest about the need to replace equipment. To clarify the situation, let's compare the answers of the most famous manufacturers of Ultra HD 4K TVs to the question about plans to support HDMI 2.0.
LG company.
Support for Ultra HD technology is continually evolving and LG is leading the way in native H.265 support in our new models. Of course, only one Ultra HD TV on the market today has HDMI 2.0 support, as work on that specification has just been finalized. We can't give you an exact timeline, but future Ultra HD TVs (from LG and probably from other companies) will get this opportunity for further development. In the interim, we reassure customers who have come to believe in the new technology and have purchased first generation Ultra HD TVs from LG that we will find a technical solution to deliver 4K content at 60Hz in the future. "- John Taylor, Vice President of Public events and communications (Vice President Public Affairs and Communications).
John Tayler, when asked about HDMI 2.0, not in vain spoke about the H.265 codec, which was recently approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) instead of the previous version of H.264. The new codec has a different name: HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) instead of the official ITU-T H.265. Note that H.264 is currently widely used for recording, compressing and distributing high definition (HD) video, and is one of the codecs supported in Blu-ray discs. However, the new H.265 codec is likely to become the standard for UHD 4K and 8K. But even for "normal" high definition HD, the file size is reduced by about 39-44% at the same quality as H.264 (51-74% on subjective tests of viewers on several video samples). Of course, there are no miracles in the world, and for reducing the file size (and the bit rate of its transmission over the communication channel) you will have to pay with an increase in the computing power of the video signal recovery chips from the compressed form. Fortunately, at CES, Broadcom already showed off the Brahma BCM7445 with a 28nm technology standard and a four-core processor, capable of four-stream 1080p30 decoding or HEVC processing up to 4096x2160 (4K).
Note that even in the HDMI 1.4 specification, in the High-speed option, a resolution of 4K x 2K or 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24 Hz was supported (a slight difference from 4K UHD is due to the fact that a slightly lower resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels is required.
Samsung company.
Samsung's high-end projectors already have an external input block (see picture below) for connecting to a TV using a special licensed (proprietary) cable from this company. The main advantage of this technical solution is that only this input unit (with or without cable) can be replaced to upgrade the entire device. Technical details and pricing are still unknown.
Samsung UHD TVs are today the only devices with built-in connectivity and capabilities to support future UHD standards. Through hardware and software upgrades with Samsung's Evolution Kit, our Samsung UHD TVs will support new compression formats, new digital reception and new anti-copy protection methods to be approved by film companies and TV studios. "- Dan Schinasi ), Senior Marketing Manager for TV Product Planning at Samsung Electronics America.
Sharp company.
Now that the HDMI 2.0 specification has been approved, our engineers are working on its implementation in the chipset (chipset), which will appear in spring 2014, and will be implemented in new TV models as soon as possible. With our 70UD1 4K UHD 70-inch TV, we gauged the right path for 4K 60fps (fps) content that may become available in the future. For the transitional period, our 70UD1 model, without any modifications, can receive any 4K content at up to 30fps through any of the four built-in HDMI inputs, and also allows you to upscale 1080p content to 4K pixels through our licensed Revelation Upscaler. to enhance any reproducible signal. Likewise, we are also working to implement support for the new H.265 encoding technology in future models and are working hard to provide a playout path in already released products.
Sony.
Sony is gearing up to support HDMI 2.0 on our 4K Ultra HD TV lineup with a simple firmware update that will be available online by the end of this year. "- Mike Lucas, Senior Vice President, Home Entertainment and Sound, Sony Electronics (Senior VP of Sony Electronics "Home Entertainment & Sound).
The brevity of this answer is slightly out of step with the complexity of the question. Sony was the first to announce the ability to upgrade already sold 4K TVs to HDMI 2.0 by simply downloading from the Internet. But will that be full HDMI 2.0 support, and how is that possible? There are no technical problems as HDMI 2.0 signals are electrically compatible with HDMI 1.4, as well as HDMI 2.0 connectors are mechanically compatible with HDMI 1.4. The only question is support for HDMI 2.0 in the input (port) microcircuits of the TV / projector. If for the new 55- and 65-inch models from Sony it is quite possible to assume that support for HDMI 2.0 is currently blocked in the input microcircuits of the HDMI ports, or to hope for the processing power of these microcircuits, sufficient to process the HDMI 2.0 video stream, then for older models (for example , for a VPL-VW1000ES projector or an 84-inch UHD TV) the presence of a high-speed HDMI chip is very problematic and the only upgrade method will be to replace the entire input board (which, according to rumors from HDTVTEST.CO.UK, will cost in Britain "within a thousand, not hundreds pounds ").
TCL company (as a bright representative of budget products).
TCL will show HDMI 2.0 at this year's CES. Our 2014 4K TVs will also have HDMI 2.0 support.
Toshiba company.
Toshiba's press statement for the new 4K models highlighted an issue with HDMI 2.0. It cites Scott Ramirez, VP of Marketing and Product Development, Visual Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems Division, President of Product Marketing and Development, Visual Products, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. , Digital Products Division), so you will have to use quotation marks in quotation marks in translation, which is not very welcome in Russian.
While current products come with HDMI 1.4 capabilities, Toshiba will additionally provide free firmware upgrades to HDMI 2.0 from December 2013 to support 4K 60fps content. “Toshiba is leading the industry in 4K Ultra HD technology,” Romires said. While many brands are just getting started in Ultra HD, our CEVO 4K video engine is a second generation technology. We are now adding HDMI 2.0 layer capabilities to our customers. were able to appreciate the amazing picture quality at 60fps for 4K content.
Panasonic company.
Panasonic has long stated that the company's first 4K TV will have HDMI 2.0 support, has released this model and has not published anything else on the matter.
Conclusion.
So, Sony and Toshiba are claiming the availability of free firmware updates in the future; Samsung has decided to implement a licensed cable adapter; Sharp and LG have not yet decided on a technical solution, TCL is planning HDMI 2.0 in new models, and Panasonic already has HDMI 2.0 support.
The question remains about the 4K content itself (content) for TVs on broadcast channels. Can I watch 2160p / 60 next year? Probably not. And in 2015? Quite possible. In any case, marketing claims for 4K TV and TV receivers are not yet supported by established and widely used standards, so early adopters of 4K devices risk not getting all the capabilities of the then-"full" 4K version in the near future. Probably, the average consumer is better off choosing an understandable transition from HDMI 1.4 to 2.0, without the hidden risks of updates and upgrades.
Based on materials from CNET.COM, HDGURU.COM and HDTVTEST.CO.UK
