HDMI 2.0 Features
Up to 18Gbps transfer speeds
HDMI 1.3/1.4 maxed out at 10.2Gbps. The upgraded spec was an effort to support the future’s higher resolutions and frame rates. With the increase in bandwidth, HDMI cables are now able to deliver 4K video at 50/60 fps (HDMI 1.3/1.4 maxed out at 24fps) which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution.
Dual Viewing
Simply put, dual viewing supports the simultaneous delivery of dual video streams to multiple users on the same screen. This means two full HD shows on the same screen at the same time. This became a big deal with 3D TV’s that supported “dual viewing” which delivered two completely different streams to two people staring at the same screen.
Multi-Stream Audio, 1536kHz Audio Sample Frequency & 32 Audio Channels
Multi-Stream Audio supports the delivery of audio to four different users. With the updated sampling frequency (1536kHz) a full 32-channel system can handle 48kHz per channel, or 192kHz (hi-res audio) on an 8-channel system. Up to 32 [uncompressed] Audio Channels is an upgrade from HDMI 1.3/1.4 which was only able to support eight audio channels.
Dynamic Auto Lip-Sync & 21:9 Aspect Ratio
Reduces delays in the audio/video timing. Also, almost all movies have 21:9 aspect ratio. If you see black bars above and below the picture while watching a movie on your 16:9 monitor, then you’ll know the movie was shot in 21:9 aspect ratio. However, if you have a 21:9 monitor you will see the movie on the full screen.
Extensions to CEC
CEC or Consumer Electronics Control (2.0) is a control technology that enables HDMI devices to be controlled by a single remote. HDMI 2.0 devices that implement the CEC 2.0 spec will allow the user to [theoretically] control up to 15 devices using only one remote.
Cables
HDMI 2.0 does not require a new HDMI cable. High-speed HDMI (category 2) cables use the same standard (A, C, and D) connectors as previous versions and support the increased bandwidth of [up to] 18Gbps, but not at longer lengths. To be sure your HDMI cables support Full 18Gb bandwidth, check your cable specifications carefully and look for Certified HDMI Cables.
HDMI Versions
| HDMI Version | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.0 |
| Date initially releases | 12/9/02 | 5/20/04 | 8/22/05 | 6/22/06 | 6/5/09 | 9/4/13 |
| Maximum Bandwidth (Gbps) | 4.95 | 4.95 | 4.95 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 18 |
| Maximum Resolution | 1600x1200p60 | 1600x1200p60 | 1600x1200p60 | 2048x1536p75 | 4096x2160p24 | 4096x2160p60 |
| Maximum LPCM Audio Channels | 8 Channels | 8 Channels | 8 Channels | 8 Channels | 8 Channels | 32 Channels |
| Maximum Audio Sampling Rate | 768kHz | 768kHz | 768kHz | 768kHz | 768kHz | 1536kHz |
HDMI 2.0 Summary
- Bandwidth up to 18Gbps
- Transfer of High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- 4K @ 50/60 (2160p) resolution that is four times as high as 1080P
- Up to 32 audio channels for a multi-dimensional audio experience
- A sampling frequency up to 1536kHz
- Simultaneous transmission of video signals from two different users on the same screen
- Simultaneous transmission of multi-stream audio to up to four different users
- Support for the aspect ratio used in Cinema 21: 9
- Dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams
- Supplementing the CEC specification, so that more devices can be controlled via a single transmission point
HDMI 2.0 FAQs
Q: What are the 4K formats supported by HDMI 2.0?
A:
BOLD text is new with HDMI 2.0
| 8bit | 10bit | 12bit | 16bit | |
| 4K@24 | RGB 4:4:4 |
RGB 4:4:4 |
RGB 4:4:4 4:2:2 |
RGB 4:4:4 |
| 4K@25 | ||||
| 4K@30 | ||||
| 4K@50 | RGB 4:4:4 4:2:0 |
4:2:0 | 4:2:2 4:2:0 |
4:2:0 |
| 4K@60 |
BOLD text is new with HDMI 2.0
Q: Can existing HDMI cables support the higher bandwidths of HDMI 2.0 Specification?
A: Yes, existing High Speed HDMI Cables (wire only) will support the new higher bandwidths (up to 18Gbps). HDMI 2.0 specification defined a new, more efficient signaling method, for speeds above 1.4b limits (10.2Gbps), to allow higher bandwidths (up to 18Gbps) over existing High Speed HDMI Wire Cables.
Q: What is HDMI 2.0?
A: HDMI 2.0, which is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI specification, significantly increases bandwidth up to 18Gbps and adds key enhancements to support market requirements for enhancing the consumer video and audio experience.
Q: Is HDMI 2.0 backwards compatible with HDMI 1.x?
A: Yes, all HDMI versions are fully backward compatible with all previous versions.
Q: Does HDMI 2.0 require new connectors?
A: No, HDMI 2.0 uses the existing connectors.
Q: Does HDMI 2.0 require new cables?
A: No, HDMI 2.0 features such as 4K@50/60 (2160p) video formats will work with existing HDMI 1.4 category 2 cables, but not at longer lengths depending on the gauge and construction of the cable. It may also be necessary for a cable to use an active chip in thinner gauge cables or longer length cables so check the specifications closely.