HDMI 2.1 now allows 4K resolution up to 120 fps and for 8K, it supports up to 60Hz. HDMI 2.1 introduces additional High Dynamic Range formats, in particular, Dynamic HDR metadata were defined.
HDMI 2.1 is only needed if you want to use HDMI with 4K over 60Hz. This applies to consoles, as on PC you can get the same performance with DisplayPort 1.4, which is readily available.
HDMI 2.1 is able to carry 4K@120hz video data and with the higher bandwidth to deliver vivid motions, vibrant colors, and extraordinary audio. They are more popular among gamers and movie lovers. A good HDMI 2.1 setup brings you the ultimate entertainment experience.
To be able to read the signal from either the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you need at least HDMI 2.0 connectivity (for 1080p at 120fps). Whereas, HDMI 2.1 is mandatory for 4K at 120fps. As we've said above, the consoles won't be pushing 120fps at maximum resolutions that often - not initially anyway.
Variable refresh rate
As we mentioned in the section on resolution, HDMI 2.1 can support higher frame rates for smoother video. But just as importantly from a gaming perspective, it allows for variable frame rates. Modern PC and console games do not use a single frame rate throughout the game.
HDMI 2.1 allows for higher resolutions like 8K and higher frame rates of up to 120 frames per second (fps). Resolution improves the clarity and sharpness of the picture, which means you can simply see more details, and have less distance to the screen or a bigger screen without noticing any pixels.
The new HDMI 2.1 cables allow faster refresh rates. This includes 8K resolution video at 60 frames per second and 4K at 120 frames per second – and it's that second feature that's a real selling point for both gamers and home cinema geeks who want content to look as good as it possibly can.
For 144Hz at 1440p, you will need at least HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 while for 4K 144Hz you are going to need HDMI 2.1 or alternatively, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC 1.2.
HDMI 2.1 – The Best Right Now
HDMI 2.1 can support 4K resolution at up to a previously impossible 144Hz, 4K resolution at 60Hz, and can even display 8K resolution at 60Hz.
All in all, if you have or plan on getting a gaming PC or a console that supports 120Hz, you should definitely get a 120Hz TV as it makes for a more responsive and immersive gaming experience. Keep in mind that to get the most out of 120Hz, you should also be able to maintain around 120FPS (Frames Per Second).
It is only necessary that the PS5 and the TV support HDMI 2.1. There is also a labeling problem here on the part of the technology. It would be easier for everyone if HDMI cables had the same name as the technology they support, starting from something as basic as that the standard has always been backward compatible.
HDMI 2.1 lets the video cable transfer data at a much higher rate than the HDMI 2.0 of the Xbox One X, or the HDMI 1.4 of the original PS4 and Xbox One. Its maximum data transmission rate is 48.0 Gbit per second, or six gigabytes per second. That is more than twice the bandwidth of HDMI 2.0.
The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. The enhanced version of the Audio Return Channel has a much higher bandwidth than its predecessor. Bandwidth represents the range of frequencies or amount of data that is being transferred at a time.
HDMI 2.1 comes with quick frame transport or QFT technology. It allows sources to deliver active video signals over the HDMI cable. As a result, gamers can experience a reduction in input lag.
It all depends on the TV you are using. Most TVs will accept a 4K signal from all HDMI ports, however there are a few models that will only accept 4K or HDR from certain HDMI ports - the rest of the ports are just standard Full HD or 4K with no HDR.
While HDMI 2.0 does support 1080p 120Hz and even 1440p 120Hz in theory, the PS5 is designed with HDMI 2.1 in mind and therefore any lower bandwidth version of HDMI will produce unexpected results.
If you bought a 4K TV with a true 120Hz refresh rate, like for use with a PlayStation or Xbox, you should move up to an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
If you're on the hunt for a GPU that can handle gaming on a 4K monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz, the Gigabyte AORUS MASTER GeForce RTX 4080 16GB is undoubtedly a top contender. This powerful graphics card boasts an impressive boost clock speed of up to 2550MHz, a significant increase over the Founder's Edition.
As we can see in the table, the RTX 3080ti can run games at 4K well over the 100 FPS mark. This GPU will perform even better when the games are optimized for the sort of technology the GPU uses, such as DLSS and ray tracing. However, at this resolution, the GPU is not capable of achieving the 144 fps mark.
A 2.1 HDMI cable can be as long as 50 feet or over. As a cable with a higher frame rate, the greater the distance the signal has to travel, the more quality loss there will be. For the best length and definition balance, we wouldn't recommend going over 20 feet.
The HDMI 2.0 standard was phased out by the group in 2017, and display manufacturers should continue to use HDMI 2.1 in the future — even if it lacks some of the essential features of the newer standard.
The eARC is a feature implemented in the latest HDMI 2.1 specification, the biggest advantage is that it exceedingly improves bandwidth and speed. This allows you to transmit high-quality audio from your TV to your Soundbar or AV receiver and is compatible with the high bitrate formats Dolby Atmos and DTS.
On Apple TV 4K, you need an HDMI 2.0 or later compatible cable. To access all of the features that your Apple TV has to offer, use an HDMI 2.1 cable.
Is eARC Required for Dolby Atmos? No, eARC is not required for Dolby Atmos to work. Dolby Atmos can work with regular HDMI ARC through the Dolby Digital Plus audio codec. However, those wanting Dolby Atmos TrueHD must use eARC.
ARC and eARC are protocols responsible for sending audio over an HDMI cable to home theater sound systems. Sonos Arc, Arc SL, and Beam (Gen 2) must be connected to HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC to play any Dolby Atmos content.