Why HDMI 2.1 Isn't A Required Upgrade When Choosing a New TV for Next Gen Consoles

Folks are looking at their current TVs for next generation, and they instantly begin to worry about not having HDMI 2.1 capabilities. Is it really that big of deal, at least right now? Based on many games capping at 4k 60, we don't think so.

[isarai]

My TV is ready! I held off on Doom Eternal cause i want to play that with Auto Low Latency and Variable Refresh Rate enabled on the next gen version

[solideagle]

you guys are lucky that you have already bought 4k, I will have to buy PS5 and 4k :'( I have no clue which 4k is good for PS5...I don't want to spend too much but I want a TV which is little bit future proof. 8k is too expensive. UK electronics market is already expensive

[NEXUS-6]

You might want to look at Sony x90H - its a budget set (meaning not their top of the line) but it has HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, EARS, 4K/120.

That will be the one to look at mate. Samsung's are popular but sacrifice accuracy for saturation and brightness.

[DarkZane]

@NEXUS-6 I already have a X900F. Can't do 4k/120fps, but it can do 1440p/120fps, should I should be able to play 120fps games at 1440p. I got it 1.5 year ago, so I am not planning to change it already.

[camel_toad]

For what its worth I love my LG C9.

[Premonition]

@darkzane, Sony was suppose to push a firmware update for that tv the other day to unlock HDMI 2.1 which in turn should allow it to do 120hz. Not sure if you got it yet.

[andy85]

Honestly just buy a monitor, that's what I did. You can get some really good 4K ones for £200

[kparks]

I 2nd the sony x900h series plus sony TVs run android tv. I've had a 900f for a few years with no issues

[NEXUS-6]

DarkZane - Sony just released a firmware update the other day. I think 2 of the HDMI ports now support HDMI 2.1 @48gig.

It most definitely does support it, just not out of the box.

[MikePWV]

That's for the X900H model from 2020. The X900F is 2019 model and it doesn't support HDMI 2.1

[Games1st]

"it has HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, EARS, 4K/120."

I need ears on my tv

[NEXUS-6]

Game - another victim of auto correct.

[where-eagles-dare]

My TV is capable of taking advantage of HDMI 2.1. Do we know yet if the new consoles will be bundled with HDMI 2.1 cables as standard in the box, or do we have to purchase them separately?

[AdamRoffel]

I'll ask my press contacts at Microsoft and Sony about this!

[isarai]

Im sure they will, just like X/Pros shipped with "High Speed" HDMIs for HDR/4K

[Killa78]

The Xbox One does, according to the final previews.

I'm almost certain the ps5 will too.

[ziggurcat]

The Series X does, the Series S does not.

PS5 will as well.

[NEXUS-6]

PS5 comes bundled with a cable, I'd assume it would be 2.1 - but also wouldn't put money on it.

[Premonition]

With the early unboxing of the Xbox series X, it has said to have the HDMI 2.1 cable ready. I’m sure PS5 will do the same.

[shabz666]

yes they will come with hdmi 2.1

[kparks]

Yes the cables they ship with should suffice.

[where-eagles-dare]

Many thanks to all the wonderful folks above on here at N4G for the replies to my question. Happy gaming to all.

[Killa78]

I've been looking at new TVs and hdmi 2.1 is pretty costly atm.

If you really need a TV I think good HDR is probably a better shout, so an older flagship for less may be a better buy if you're on a budget. Otherwise wait this year out.

[where-eagles-dare]

That's good advice. I scrimped, saved & raided the piggy bank and got the LG C9 in February this year. The C10 is available now, but I'm sure with flagship models or black Friday deals, you might get a cracking deal on a hdmi 2.1 set, or wait till next year for further price drops.

If the truth be told, I'm seeing that sacrifices visually have to be made by the developers to get the games to take advantage of 120 fps. It's a nice feature to have, but I'll likely only use it on new titles for 10 minutes to see how it feels, then I will most likely switch to the highest visual fidelity, say 1440k & 30 fps with ray tracing enabled, therefore not really needing hdmi 2.1. It's early days though & perhaps over the generation it will come more to the forefront.

[NEXUS-6]

Check out the Sony x90H (UK) - x900H (US) - it's a mid-tuer set so the price is reasonable and it has HDMI 2.1.

[Flawlessmic]

I just bought the sony x90h its brillant, has all the festures we gamers need for the future at a great price point. The quality is outstanding.

The only promblem for me is 8k 2.1 hdmi cables are upwards of $150 here is Australia which is a joke, so ill pick one of those up after i have my ps5

[Premonition]

If Xbox series x carries the 2.1 cable I’m sure PS5 will do the same

[shabz666]

Get an lg oled cx

[_LarZen_]

HDMI 2.0 can do if it has VRR and preferably ALLM. But your stuck at 1440p 120FPS or 4K 60FPS.

[NEXUS-6]

I still think 4K/60 is enough for console gaming. The visual sacrifices are too big for 120fps.

[shabz666]

i reckon we wont be seeing any 4k 60fps games this gen or atleast for the first 2 years, mostly dynamic resolution or CB from 1440p 60fps or full 4k 30fps, and ofc 1080p/1440p 120fps

[NEXUS-6]

Maybe not AAA, but we definitely will - there will always be a performance or graphics option in AAA games going forward.

I usually settle on 4K.

[_LarZen_]

For most I would have to agree yeah. But I have to say I’m very eager to try Call of Duty in 120FPS....

[Baza]

Developers can barely hit locked 60fps! Especially with 4k/ray tracing.

[Bender6502]

The problem with HDMI 2.1 TV's currently is... there isn't any. Well, none that conform to full 2.1 specifications. It's worth noting that the HDMI consortium does not mandate any specific features of 2.1 that a TV must include before it is considered certified as 2.1 compliant. That's why so many that claim to be 2.1 only carry the most basic of 2.1 features, but are allowed to certify as 2.1. Personally, I'm waiting for a truly 2.1 complaint TV before I upgrade - that may be some time. Do you need one now? Depends. Will you need one to truly benefit from next gen at some point? Of course.

Here's one to watch out for. Can you '2.1' TV actually offer full hdr at higher refresh rates? Many can't, even though they offer both high refresh rates and HDR. It can be a mine field out.

[Kornholic]

LG C9. Stop the bs.

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

Yeah...they're plenty of 2.1 sets out in the wild.

[shabz666]

lgcx has 4 slots of 2.1 yeah

[Bender6502]

I suggest you do the proper research.Go to the official HDMI consortium/alliance website. Yep there is one. Then look at the complete, full, feature set (all of them, not just some) specified by 2.1. Then compare to any set currently available. You won't find any that match the whole feature set. I personally, don't care whether you get duped into believing you have a full 2.1 or not, believe what you like. But what I'm saying is correct at this current time.
I repeat. Just because there are plenty of sets claiming to be 2.1, doesn't mean they are fully compliant. Buy hey, it's your dollar.

[Gr1mmyshadows]

Not required but damn nice

[alb1899]

Does ps5 has HDMI 2.1?
I haven't seen any info about it, can some one share an credible link about it?

[ziggurcat]

Yes it does.

[alb1899]

Yes, I saw that the console support 8K and 8K can only be supported by HDMI 2.1.
Thanks.

[Elda]

We bought 2 65 inch Samsung QLED 4k hdr tvs (q90t & q60t) this summer for a great deal due to a higher up we know that works at Best Buy. One tv has 2.1 with 120hz support & the other has 2.1 but the panel is 60hz & won't support the 120hz something we don't care about as long as the tvs can do 4k & 60fps.

[kparks]

You sure why would they put 2.1 on a 60hz tv? Lol

[Elda]

Ask Samsung. It was first noted that the Samsung q60t didn't have 2.1 but this September Techradar article says hdmi 2.1 is implemented on the q60t but the panal is 60hz. https://www.techradar.com/r...

[Bender6502]

Because they can. Illustrating my very point from above. A 2.1 port does NOT mean the TV supports all the 2.1 features, but again, it's your dollar.

[Profchaos]

I'd wait for an inevitable pro version before I upgraded my TV just my opinion.

120 fps titles will be rare as we proceed into this new generation and visual fidelity is raised to new levels frame rates will drop in the same way pretty much every generation goes. We start with games that look nice and are a jump but Devs get better and better engines push harder and harder and we go back to 30fps like PC a 2015 PC might still play games in 2020 but it won't be 4k 60fps.

So the next GTA game will probably push the bar on open world fidelity but you can bet on it being a 30fps game as an example

[EasilyTheBest]

I just bought a Philips Ambilight. I love Ambilight it really brings more to playing games its great.

[where-eagles-dare]

That's a cracking tv, I also have one. HDR 10+, Dolby Vision & Atmos. The ambilight feature is awesome.

[EasilyTheBest]

Yes I sold my older ambilight just this week to buy a newer model.
Awesome tvs, I could never go back to a non ambilight one.
Get the hue bulbs, they are great too

[where-eagles-dare]

Brilliant stuff thanks. I hadn't ever heard of hue bulbs before. Just did a quick internet search & they look just the very job. I have ordered two Philips hue bulbs. Thanks again for the info.

[Weapon_of_choice]

Uhhh hdmi kabels with 8k 120hz are around 30 to 40 bucks, half the price of your yearly crappy Fifa game. WHY wouldn't you get it???

[-Ghost]

I have two 4K TV's but they don't have HDMI 2.1, so I won't be upgrading unless one dies off. I'm happy with both tbh.

[kparks]

I'd guess you got a couple years before we see 4k at 120hz anyway no rush untill you see games start releasing with that.

[-Ghost]

True

[Aussiesummer]

120fps will be rare, no need to worry.

[Outlawzz]

I have a cheap $250 4k tcl with simulated 120hz. Wt can I get with that? Will my ps5 refuse to boot up cus my tv is too crappy? Please someone help lol

[kparks]

You'll have no issues running next gen consoles.

[Sprucegoose77]

Well my 65" Samsung is 4K 60hz so looks like that's it for me! I'm more than happy with 4K 60 for gaming!

[Lilrizky]

It definitely will not be needed at all for Xbox one S. It maxes at 1440p 120fps anyway

[frostypants]

Most important TV spec for gaming isn't HDMI 2.1, it's low input lag. TCLs are some of the best for that and they're also very affordable.