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HDMI 2.1 Primer

Did you know that nearly everything is different in the HDMI 2.1 on up format? Not even the transmission technology is the same! Here is the best part, its a lot better! eARC, ALLM and QMS are already implemented in sources/displays. In short, if you are not supporting this format, you are not getting all of the signal available. With the help of HDMI's website, here is some info on all of the new features.

FRL

Fixed Rate Link does not require a clock channel, so it can use 4 lanes instead of 3 to transmit the signal. It is also 9% more efficient and uses VESA DSC compression technology to increase the capability up to 10K resolution at 120Hz. for future expansion. It is also backwards compatible with the TMDS format currently used in the HDMI 2.0b format. Many displays are already taking advantage of this technology.

Dynamic HDR

Dynamic HDR enables a noticeable progression in overall video image quality from SDR to static HDR, and now static HDR to dynamic HDR. Dynamic HDR support ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and wider color gamuts—on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis. HDR-enhanced content is available for movies, videos, TV shows, video and PC games and VR.

Picture and description taken from HDMI information website.

Source Based Tone Mapping

(SBTM) Is a new HDR feature that allows a portion of the HDR mapping to be done at the source instead of the display. This allows SDR and HDR signals to be displayed at the same time (picture in picture) and allows PC's and gaming consoles to produce an optimized HDR signal to take advantage of the abilities of newer displays. This is worth reading about more here is a button to the HDMI website explaining this in detail (below).

SBTM on HDMI website

eARC

eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is something we know a lot about. We created the first AV extender with eARC (EXeARC1). Simply put eARC has 97 times the bandwidth of the S/PDIF on today's displays. eARC is the most widely used feature of HDMI 2.1/2.1b. However, it is not the only feature being used now (QMS is on Apple TV).

QMS

Quick Media Switching uses the VRR mechanism to eliminate the 1-3 second black screen when frame rates change as long as the resolution remains the same. As mentioned above, Apple TV is already supporting this. I found a YouTube video demonstrating this (button below)

YouTube on QMS

VRR/ALLM/QFT

Variable Refresh Rate

Allows a gaming console to deliver video frames as fast as it can. This eliminates lag, judder and tearing for a more fluid and more detailed game play.

Auto Low Latency Mode

Allows the ideal latency setting to be automatic, resulting in smoother and lag free game play. This too is supported on most displays and is often referred to as "Game Mode". When you set this mode in the display, it communicates this ability to the game console/computer.

Quick Frame Transport

Reduces the time it takes to send only active video reducing latency and increasing responsiveness. This feature will improve the virtual reality experience.

Increased throughput (48Gbps)

With eARC, ALLM, and QMS already common, it is only a matter of time that we see a 24Gbps 4K signal which is YUV 4:4:4, Deep Color, and at 60Hz. Right now, one of these has to be sacrificed a little to get the 4K signal down the currently available 18Gbps pipeline (HDMI 2.0b). This is often misunderstood and is the source of frustration when using different HDMI 2.0b sources. A "complete" 4K signal needs 24Gbps of bandwidth. This is clearly another reason why HDMI 2.1/2.1b is needed. Another thing should be noted, that all of your switches, extenders, and accessories need to be HDMI 2.1 capable. Simplified MFG has a myriad of 2.1 devices available now.