For audio and video enthusiasts, the most familiar device is the HDMI cable and interface. Since the HDMI specification was introduced in version 1.0 in 2002, it is exactly 20 years today. In the past 20 years, HDMI has become the most popular interface standard for audio-visual equipment. According to official records, 11 billion HDMI devices have been shipped, which is equivalent to nearly 2 HDMI devices per person in the world.
The biggest advantage of HDMI is the unification of standards. For 20 years, the physical size of the standard HDMI interface has remained unchanged, and the software protocol has also achieved complete downward compatibility, which is quite convenient for large appliances with slow hardware updates, especially televisions, even if the TV in the home is an old model more than ten years ago, it can also be connected directly to the latest next-generation game console without being transferred. Therefore, in recent years, HDMI has rapidly replaced the past chromatic aberration, AV, audio and other interfaces on tv sets, becoming the most common interface on TV sets. According to statistics, in 2021, all TV products on the market use HDMI technology, and HDMI has also become the best carrier for 4K, 8K, HDR and other high-definition formats.
In the past 2021, 8K/4K TVs, monitors and ancillary equipment equipped with HDMI 2.1 interface have developed by leaps and bounds. With the future demand for live broadcasting, online conferencing, video calling, VR/AR, games and other entertainment HD, market research firm Omdia predicts that the global penetration rate of 4K TVs will reach 66% in 2022, and by 2025, 8K device shipments will increase by more than 400% compared with 2020. In the particularly competitive Chinese market, the HDMI 2.1 interface is basically popularized in the mid-to-high-end models in 2021, and has become one of the technological breakthroughs of "game TV".
8K TVs are expected to grow by more than 400%.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the ADVENT OFMI standard, the organization that authorized the HDMI specification (HDMI LA) held a communication event for the Chinese market, at which Rob Tobias, CEO and President of HDMI LA, Chandlee Harrell, President of HDMI Forum, and Brad Bramy, Vice President of Marketing and Operations of HDMI LA, introduced the new features of the HDMI 2.1a specification and the work plan of the HDMI Forum , the HDMI cable certification program and international law enforcement activities against counterfeit products, and responded to questions of concern to the Chinese media.
As mentioned above, the latest version of the HDMI specification has been upgraded from HDMI 2.1 to HDMI 2.1a. It inherits all the features of the former and adds a new feature of SBTM (Source-Based Tone Mapping - Tone Mapping for Signal Source Transmission). In simple terms, the SBTM function makes full use of the HDR capabilities of a particular display device by having the output output signal HDR map.
In traditional HDR content processing, the output is only responsible for the signal output, and the display device performs HDR mapping processing. However, when the video content includes DIFFERENT signals such as HDR and SDR (for example, the main interface of the video platform includes thumbnails of HDR and SDR content), the display has no way of distinguishing the properties of the signal. The SBTM function can take full advantage of each display's potential through adjustments at the source level of the output content.
SBTM will power PC players to play HDR games
In addition, for PC gamers, the display and adjustment of HDR content has been troublesome, and SBTM enables PCs and gaming devices to automatically process optimized HDR signals.
Of course, in order to fully realize the 48Gbps bandwidth and various functions of HDMI 2.1a, it is also necessary to have the interface of the input and output and the support of the wire. HDMI LA has launched a certification system for HDMI cables before this, and consumers only need to look for the cable and the ultra-high-speed HDMI cable label on the package to ensure the best viewing effect. In addition, for infringing and counterfeit HDMI products, HDMI LA also cooperated with international law enforcement agencies to carry out several surprise inspections in 2021.
Ultra-high speed HDMI cable label
Finally, tell you a good news, if you want to experience the new upgrade of HDMI 2.1a SBTM function, there is no need to purchase additional equipment and cables, as long as the equipment that supports HDMI 2.1, as well as the HDMI cable that meets the ultra-high-speed HDMI cable certification, after the manufacturer performs a software upgrade, you can support the full functionality of HDMI 2.1a.
Author 丨 Meng Lingtao
Editor 丨Ma Xinyi
Source 丨China State Grid
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