HDMI 2.0 is coming, but many customer asked me what's HDMI 2.0
And now, we need to know more about HDMI 2.0 as following:
HDMI 2.0 includes the following advanced features:
Resolutions up to 4K@50/60 (2160p), which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution.
Up to 32 audio channels for a multi-dimensional immersive audio experience.
Up to 1536kHz audio sample frequency for the highest audio fidelity.
Simultaneous delivery of dual video streams to multiple users on the same screen.
Simultaneous delivery of multi-stream audio to multiple users (Up to 4).
Support for the wide angle theatrical 21:9 video aspect ratio.
Dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams.
CEC extensions provide more expanded command and control of consumer electronics devices through a single control point.
As we slowly move away from the now-dated 1080p into the brand new crisp
era of the 4K, the issue of connectivity is surfacing beneath the
promising benefits the 4K will bring. Most predominant issue is
interconnectivity, the question of how our 4K devices will interact with
each other in an easy set up with no hassles.
Despite the level of innovations presented by the 4K displays itself,
the connectivity is only catching behind. The first generation 4K
displays could only offer HDMI 1.4 connectivity. HDMI 1.4 however,
despite its qualities, could not deliver original 4K content beyond
30fps. It could also not do 3D at 4K, which is a big let down
considering the great opportunities 4K has to offer.
This is where the HDMI 2.0 comes into play, to deliver what 4K truly has
to offer in terms of viewing experience. This statement, as astonishing
as it sounds, however, does not exactly hold true. For instance,
consider the proliferation of 4K displays today. Despite many screens
claiming to offer true 4K resolution, the reality is unfortunately far
from it, at least for now. HDMI 2.0 is currently living a similar drama,
with manufacturers announcing new connectors left and right despite the
lack of true 4K support.
Many HDMI 2.0 connectors available today doesn’t have the right
capabilities to handle 4K images at every aspect ratio. Home Theatre
Review
4K Display
Color compression
he colour space compression comes out as the first
problem with current HDMI 2.0 compatibility. Currently there are three
compression options; 4:4:4 (less compression, highest quality), 4:2:2
and 4:2:0 (most compression, lower quality). In order for HDMI chips to
be officially compatible with 4K, they could just offer 4K image on 60
frames with only 4:2:0 compression, which would require a bandwidth of
8.9 Gb/s. This bandwidth, although seems plausible, is far below what 4K
can truly deliver, which is 60 frames at 4:4:4 compression, requiring
17.82 Gb/s.
As many additional performance levels are only optional for the HDMI 2.0
specification, chipset manufacturers can claim 4K & HDMI 2.0
compatibility. As the production costs of HDMI 2.0 chips lowering; we’ll
probably see a similar adaptation by the market to full bandwidth HDMI
2.0 capabilities. We are already seeing new specifications on the Ultra
HD Blu-ray side
which promises lower compression of colour space. In the coming years,
we are hoping to see full market adaptation of HDMI 2.0 to offer 4:4:4
compression.
Copy Protection
The performance drawbacks of current HDMI 2.0 connectivity does not stop
at colour compression. The second problem is HDCP, the copy protection
system between HDMI interfaces. The HDCP specifications require that
every component of a system, let it be TV or Blu-ray player, has to be
on the same specification level, which is currently on iteration version
2.2. First generation 4K displays failed to support the 2.2 standard due
to unavailability at the time. With the HDCP 2.2 specifications recently
being revealed, we should expect many of the upcoming entertainment
components to support this new specification. Until then, however, it’s
the best practice to make sure that every component of your
entertainment system is HDCP 2.2 compatible to prevent future frustration.
2015 will possibly be the biggest leap in the electronics to adapt 4K
with widespread component compatibility. The great product announcements
at CES 2015 was the strongest indicator of this growing trend. All in all, we are
excited to see how the high bandwidth of HDMI 2.0 will play out in
capturing the true potential 4K aims to deliver.