For those of us lucky enough to have a PS5 or Xbox Series X. You, like so many others, may be confused as to why your new console seems to be holding out on you & doesn’t look 4K.  Well, lucky you clicked the link…

WHY IS HDMI 2.1 IMPORTANT FOR PS5/XBOX SERIES X?

Most TVs & monitors run with HDMI 2.0 connection and even if you own a 4K TV it most likely has HDMI 2.0. Why does this matter… well HDMI 2.1 opens up a wealth of new possibilities with the new consoles & that is not just better resolution.

Don’t get me wrong, 4K at 120Hz or 8k at 60HZ is amazing & if that was all HDMI 2.1 did, I think many of us would be happy. Yet HDMI 2.1 offers so much more.

eARC

Audio Return Channel or ARC, that lets audio move back and forth over an HDMI cable between a TV and surround sound system or soundbar. HDMI 2.0 limits bandwidth between the two devices & the audio is often compressed and reduced down to stereo, resulting in “lossy,” lower-quality audio.

Most HDMI 2.1 has access to Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), that give you exceptional sound & access to a lossless, high-resolution audio signal. That allows you to hear games and movies in a crisper and clear way than anything we’ve heard before.

Variable Refresh Rate

HDMI 2.1 can support higher frame rates for smoother video as mention above. Yet games aren’t always linear, frame are constantly changing and causing the TV or monitor to compensate. This leads to the gamers worst nightmares, lag & screen tearing.

Auto low-latency mode (ALLM)

HDMI 2.1 also allows Auto Low Latency Mode, so that your TV can automatically switch to game mode when detecting a console or graphics card. Which is possible my favourite feature of the HDMI 2.1, as I will aways forget to switch between Modes.

Lip-sync issues

Syncing the video from your TV with the audio from your receiver or soundbar can be a bit of a pain. I recently rewatched Top Gun on a friends 75 inch TV with surround sound & it was the funniest things as it was like watching a 50’s dubbed kung fu movie. The 1-2 second delay was horrible

HDMI 2.1 will make it possible for TVs or computers to talk in real time & ensure your video and audio are in perfect sync all the time

Differences between HDMI 2.0 vs HDMI 2.1:

If you’re ready to unlock that next gen gaming or the epic movie experience and still not sure to start. Here is my pick of the best TVs & Monitors with HDMI 2.1:

• LG G2 OLED 4K TV – As a gamer this TV has not 1 or 2 HDMI 2.1 ports it has 4, so your able to plug both into these and not have to swap around cords. This also means your supporting 4K/120fps, VRR and ALLM. Let me also get the Xbox Series X peeps that bit more excited Dolby Vision Game Mode yep that have taken your gaming to the next level.
• Sony X85J Bravia 4K UHD Google TV [2021] – This gem is from Last year but don’t let that put you off with over a billion colours brought to life by TRILUMINOS PRO™ and our 4K HDR Processor X1 it packs 4 HDMI ports 2 of those are 2.1, 4K Dolby Vision Atmos ready to blow you away.
• SAMSUNG ODYSSEY NEO G9 – This one is the elite of monitors its massive 48.8″ screen, 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms GTG response time with 5120 x 1440 resolution, Mini-LED backlight with VESA displayHDR2000 Certifcation. G-Sync & AMD Freesync compatible to reduce screen tearing while your gaming. HDMI 2 x 2.1 ports.
• MSI OPTIX MPG321UR-QD 32″ GAMING MONITOR – Hunting for a 32″ 4k resolution, 144Hz HDMI 2.1 not only with G-syce support but also VRR, 1ms response time IPS Panel, MSI Quantum Dot Display to give you that Next Gen colour accuracy. For Xbox peeps if you can track down the Xbox Edition its packed with features from the Designed for Xbox Team to make this the Monitor you want to use if a TV is not an option.