HDMI 2.0 Officially Announced

Yaayuh! · 4 Sep 2013 at 11:40

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/...d_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget&ncid=rss_semi

Only just after it leaked out, the folks at HDMI Licensing are announcing HDMI 2.0 officially. Arriving just in time for the wide rollout of a new generation of Ultra HDTVs, it adds a few key capabilities to the connection standard. With a bandwidth capacity of up to 18Gbps, it has enough room to carry 3,840 x 2,160 resolution video at up to 60fps. It also has support for up to 32 audio channels, "dynamic auto lipsync" and additional CEC extensions. The connector itself is unchanged, which is good for backwards compatibility but may disappoint anyone hoping for something sturdier to support all of those suddenly-popular dongles. The cables won't change either, as the group claims current high-speed Category 2 wires can handle the increased bandwidth. Some companies have suggested upgrade paths for their UHDTVs already on the market -- hopefully we'll find out more about those plans this week at IFA 2013.

3,840 x 2,160 resolution @ 60fps with buckets of channels... Yes please. Now give me a 4K TV for £1500 with some 4K media and we're set.

EDIT: Thanks Mods

Orch · 4 Sep 2013 at 11:48

The cables won't change either? So another HDMI con then? or am I missing something?

Yaayuh! · 4 Sep 2013 at 11:50

Orch said:
The cables won't change either? So another HDMI con then? or am I missing something?

The connector won't change and it'll be backwards compatible. But that doesn't mean the standards of the cable stay the same (compare Cat5e to Cat6 for example), though it does say it'll stay the same, which is a surprise to me... so maybe it will?

Chris1712 · 4 Sep 2013 at 11:52

How is it a con? The electronics at either end are the important parts, new silicon will be required there to deal with the new data. The problem is now the X1/PS4 will probably get 1.4->2.0 upgrades at some point in there lifecycle. Though 24p is supports on 1.4 and I suspect 90% of 4k content will be films anyway, not so important perhaps.

Psycho Sonny · 4 Sep 2013 at 12:03

hmmmm good point on the PS4, the ps3 got an audio upgrade during it's lifecycle which some people were going crazy about.

but again on the other foot, how many people will be buying a 24 channel speaker system or a 4K tv during the PS4's lifecycle, not many.

therefore i do not see it as a reason not to get the ps4 at launch.

Orch · 4 Sep 2013 at 12:12

Chris1712 said:
How is it a con?

If the cable doesn't change, and the connectors don't change, yet they start selling new HMDI 2 cables at a premium, when an old one would suffice, then that's a con is it not?

I'm only going on that one quote, if something needs to be different fair enough, no problems.

Ryan-3 · 4 Sep 2013 at 12:44

Meh. I suppose in about 5-6 years time it may start to come in useful.

lucid · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:22

Orch said:
If the cable doesn't change, and the connectors don't change, yet they start selling new HMDI 2 cables at a premium, when an old one would suffice, then that's a con is it not?

There's always trade to be done exploiting ignorance.

IMO it's 50/50 responsibility now. Yes, manufacturers and retailers will label up cables as 4K / HDMI 2.0 ..... But equally there's this thing called the internet where folk can ask questions and, by and large, get reasonably sensible answers. The thing is, most ordinary folk are either bone idle lazy or just plain scared of getting a bit of knowledge. I understand techno-fear, but would counter by saying that the 'net is awash with "For Dummies" answers so that excuse really doesn't hold water. Laziness; well these are the same folk who then realise they've been screwed and go bitching about it to anyone who'll listen. It may seem harsh, but I think we pander far too much to folk like this. That's why we now have such a nanny state and far too much red tape on trial stuff.

Scrutinize · 4 Sep 2013 at 19:33

Cant wait for the Monster HDMI 2 cables.......double the resolution, double the performance, double the price.......

Chris1712 · 4 Sep 2013 at 19:59

Psycho Sonny said:
hmmmm good point on the PS4, the ps3 got an audio upgrade during it's lifecycle which some people were going crazy about.

but again on the other foot, how many people will be buying a 24 channel speaker system or a 4K tv during the PS4's lifecycle, not many.

therefore i do not see it as a reason not to get the ps4 at launch.

Who will buy a 4K TV in the next 10 years or so? Errrm an awful lot of people! There will be an influx of cheaper sets in time for the World Cup, 50-60" around £2000 easily. 2-3 Years time when you bother to replace your 1080p TV most decent sets will be 4k (just like most are 3D now, even if you don't need it).