Does HDMI 2.1 do 240Hz?

Does HDMI 2.1 do 240Hz?

The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no". HDMI 2.1, the latest version of the HDMI standard, has some limitations when it comes to high refresh rates like 240Hz. In this article, we’ll explore the capabilities of HDMI 2.1 and what you need to know to achieve 240Hz with your devices.

Display Stream Compression (DSC) and Chroma Subsampling

HDMI 2.1 supports Display Stream Compression (DSC) and Chroma Subsampling, which are two techniques used to compress and encode video signals. DSC reduces the bandwidth required for high-resolution video signals, while Chroma Subsampling reduces the color resolution of the video signal. Both techniques are used to achieve higher refresh rates like 240Hz.

Limitations of HDMI 2.1

While HDMI 2.1 supports high refresh rates, there are some limitations to consider. For example:

• 4K resolution at 240Hz: HDMI 2.1 can only support 4K resolution at 240Hz with Display Stream Compression (DSC) enabled. This means that the video signal will be compressed to reduce the bandwidth required, which may affect image quality.
• 8K resolution at 240Hz: HDMI 2.1 cannot support 8K resolution at 240Hz without Display Stream Compression (DSC) enabled. This is because the bandwidth required for 8K resolution at 240Hz is too high for the HDMI 2.1 standard.
• Higher refresh rates: HDMI 2.1 can support higher refresh rates like 300Hz and 360Hz, but only at lower resolutions like 1080p and 1440p.

What You Need to Know

To achieve 240Hz with your devices, you’ll need to consider the following:

• HDMI 2.1 cable: You’ll need an HDMI 2.1 cable that supports Display Stream Compression (DSC) and Chroma Subsampling.
• HDMI 2.1 device: Your device must support HDMI 2.1 and be capable of producing a 240Hz signal.
• Display: Your display must support 240Hz and be compatible with the HDMI 2.1 standard.

Comparison of HDMI Versions

Here’s a comparison of the different HDMI versions and their capabilities:

Conclusion

In conclusion, HDMI 2.1 does support 240Hz, but there are some limitations to consider. To achieve 240Hz with your devices, you’ll need an HDMI 2.1 cable, an HDMI 2.1 device, and a display that supports 240Hz. Keep in mind that the bandwidth required for 240Hz is higher than for lower refresh rates, so you may need to compromise on image quality or resolution to achieve the desired refresh rate.