Why Xbox One X owners should care about HDMI 2.1

Seen across most consumer electronics of today, HDMI has become the standard for connecting media devices to displays. And with its latest revision, HDMI 2.1, the capabilities of the interface are getting a major upgrade. Following its recently finalized specification, features of the revised standard are fix in stone, delivering some welcome improvements to both video playback and gaming.

While HDMI 2.1 is still in its early days, Microsoft has pledged support for its flagship 4K-driven console, the Xbox I X. Specifics may be scarce, though existing panel owners tin can wait new features going forward.

What is HDMI 2.i?

HDMI two.ane is the latest revision of the HDMI interface, which is used to transmit both video and audio signals between devices. Building upon existing versions of the interface, HDMI 2.1 delivers improved bandwidth and new features, alongside all capabilities of previous revisions. Despite using the same connector, the revised interface requires dedicated ports and cables designed for the new specification. For specifics on HDMI 2.1 itself, take a look at our comprehensive guide to HDMI 2.1 and its capabilities.

HDMI 2.1: Everything you demand to know

Xbox One and HDMI 2.1

While still in its early days, Microsoft has previously committed to delivering HDMI ii.ane support to Xbox One 10 in the future. Although new hardware is frequently required to take advantage of the revision, Microsoft claims the Xbox One X was futureproofed with the required hardware already onboard. This should mean that in one case set, HDMI 2.1 compliance can be added via a quick firmware update.

Still, the HDMI two.i specification was only recently finalized and the official "HDMI 2.one Compliance Test Specification" is nonetheless to exist published. And without HDMI 2.one displays even on the market correct at present, Xbox Ane X support is assumedly a while off.

What could HDMI 2.one mean for Xbox I gamers?

Microsoft has remained quiet in regards to what exactly HDMI ii.1 ways for Xbox One X. While details take previously surfaced on Variable Refresh Charge per unit (VVR) support, details on other aspects of HDMI 2.one implementation mostly come downwardly to speculation. Simply with Microsoft delivering HDMI ii.one support through an update rather than a total hardware upgrade, expect the console to support merely a few features of the full specification.

Looking at the HDMI ii.ane specification itself, several features take clearly been implemented with gamers in heed. However, exactly which features the Xbox One Ten volition leverage is down to Microsoft. We've rounded upwardly some of the highlights of the specification for gamers, and whether they could come to Xbox Ane X owners.

Variable refresh rates

Equally of launch, the Xbox Ane X doesn't offer support for VRR outputs – an increasingly common characteristic in PC gaming. Adapting the refresh rate of your display to that of outputted content reduces screen tearing and stuttering, without the input lag suffered when using a similar software solution known as "V-Sync."

When support for HDMI 2.1 rolls out to the console, Microsoft is slated to leverage AMD'southward in-house VRR technology, "FreeSync." More specifically, AMD's "FreeSync 2" is on track to hit the console, which offers an enhanced feature gear up over its predecessor. Assuasive the panel's GPU and a supported display to communicate over HDMI, the duo should maintain a stable refresh charge per unit, based on the current output. Essentially, you'll be getting a much smoother and consistent gaming experience, where the display and panel piece of work together to output the best image.

If back up arrives on Xbox One 10, you lot'll likely be able to use your existing console alongside a FreeSync 2 monitor. Microsoft has reportedly implemented the FreeSync 2 standard already, meaning yous won't need a panel upgrade to accept advantage of the characteristic. However, FreeSync over HDMI is still uncommon, with more manufacturers expected to debut both TVs and PC monitors with support baked-in. Like many of HDMI 2.ane'south features, this isn't something to worry nearly for now, though establishes a strong foundation for the panel'due south hereafter.

Dynamic HDR

HDMI 2.1 also delivers improvements to HDR10's potential – the High Dynamic Range (HDR) standard utilized by Xbox Ane X. Currently, HDR displays a wider color gamut and improved contrast ratio on uniform TVs. With the arrival of HDMI ii.1'southward "Dynamic HDR," which processes dynamic metadata on a frame-by-frame basis, color settings tin can be tuned on the fly. This means that certain HDR settings tin can be tuned in accordance with the on-screen image, pushing the well-nigh out of supported content.

One time again, Dynamic HDR support may never make its arrival on Xbox One X, unless Microsoft chooses to implement information technology. But with support already established for "Dolby Vision" over HDMI two.0, its inflow for HDR10 could make this a welcome add-on to the Xbox Ane X'south media capabilities.

Higher resolutions, college framerates

Your Xbox Ane X won't be getting any major visual upgrades once HDMI 2.1 support debuts, though adopting the technology might open the panel to higher potential resolutions and framerates.

The electric current HDMI revision supported by Xbox 1 10 right now, HDMI 2.0, supports transfer rates up to 18 Gigabits per 2nd – imposing a limit of 4K (3,840 × ii,160 pixels) resolution at 60 Hz. HDMI ii.ane increases this limit to 48 Gbps, allowing for 10K resolution and 120 Hz at lower pixel counts. On supported displays, 8K (vii,680 pixels x four,320 pixels) at 60 Hz will be possible, also as 4K at 120 Hz.

But with the Xbox One X hardware often pushed to its limit to accomplish 4K at threescore frames per second (FPS), don't await major improvements, if whatever, once HDMI 2.1 support lands. While specifics on the Xbox I's port are all the same to be discussed, there's a take chances the console volition exist unable to support these new configurations, despite being HDMI 2.i compliant.

Quick Frame Transport

"Quick Frame Transport" (QFT) is some other feature tailored toward gamers, designed to brand for a snappier and more responsive gameplay feel. When using QFT, frame output latency is reduced, which delivers a much more responsive experience to displays and VR headsets. During those moments where every millisecond counts, this tin can even further reduce controller input latency on supported devices. Microsoft would need to enable support for the technology to take advantage of its benefits, only sits among the features targeted nearly exclusively toward gamers.

What the hereafter holds for Xbox One X

These are just some of the features from the final HDMI 2.i specification, which could be among the improvements brought to Xbox I X. Simply as a firmware update rather than a full hardware upgrade, don't expect the full feature set of the specification to striking the console. For now, it'south just down to Microsoft to follow through with implementation and announce its plans following the upgrade.

What exercise you recollect of HDMI 2.1? Which aspects of the specification would you like to encounter on Xbox Ane X? Make sure to drib into the comments with your thoughts.

HDMI 2.one: Everything yous need to know

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/why-xbox-one-x-owners-should-care-about-hdmi-21

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