HDMI 2.1?

[AcidVenus]

I currently game on a TV. And while I'm mostly happy with it, there are small improvements I'd like. When I did my research I was told to look for HDMI 2.1 amongst other things.

I've just found a Samsung Odyssey G5 at a very good price.

It has 165 refresh, 1ms response, HDR10, and it's 2k. Not quite the 4k tv I have but better than the 1080p monitors I've seen.
But it's HDMI 2.0.

After googling the difference it appears 2.1 can handle better refresh rates. But this offers 165 with 2.0 so is it really that important?
The only other thing 2.1 offers is variable refresh rates? Now does that mean handle changes within one game? I thought this changed within each game anyway?

It will mostly be used for my Xbox series X, I don't currently own a gaming PC. Just the Series X and a docked steam deck.

[zexx11]

i have an lg32GQ850-B pc 2k monitor. it o/cs to 260 hz on dp and has hdmi 2.1 which will

run @120hz on xbox and ps5. has hdr600 which is kind of lousy but i dont use hdr.

i use it mostly for pc gaming but may be getting a ps5 someday.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/650602/lg-32gq850-32-2k-qhd-(2560-x-1440)-240hz-gaming-monitor

[UserNotFound]

I'm in the opposite camp, in a way, as my card (RX 7900 XTX) has a HDMI 2.1 port. But my monitor and TV have HDMI 2.0 ports (or earlier).

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Very few monitors have HDMI 2.1 and many brands won't bother with it anytime soon given that it's only needed for higher refresh rates which is rather pointless since PC = generally has 3x DisplayPort on it; thus they typically use this for the high refresh rate.

The HDMI 2.1 on a GPU can be nice to have if you have a 4K/120Hz TV you'd like to output to though.

[AcidVenus]

Thanks for the comments. I think I'll look once again at the specifics and find out what my TV does or doesn't do.

I'm just being fussy really, most games look amazing. Weirdly, the game that made me wonder if I need to switch to a monitor was FIFA.
Destiny, Forza etc look smooth as I could hope for. But something about fifa just doesn't look as amazing as I've seen in some clips people post, so then wondered if my other games would also look even better.

[Jaiiime]

HDMI 2.1 does offer some significant improvements over HDMI 2.0, but whether it's crucial for your specific gaming setup depends on your preferences and requirements. Let's break down the key differences between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 to help you make an informed decision:

1. Refresh Rates: HDMI 2.0 supports refresh rates of up to 60Hz at 4K resolution and up to 120Hz at 1080p or 1440p resolution. On the other hand, HDMI 2.1 can handle higher refresh rates, such as 4K at 120Hz and even 8K at 60Hz. The Samsung Odyssey G5 you mentioned has a refresh rate of 165Hz, which HDMI 2.0 can handle without any issues.

2. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): HDMI 2.1 introduces support for VRR, which is a feature that syncs the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate output of the graphics card or console. This helps to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay. VRR can provide a smoother gaming experience, especially when frame rates fluctuate, which is common in demanding games. While HDMI 2.0 doesn't support VRR natively, some TVs and monitors with HDMI 2.0 ports may still offer VRR through technologies like AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility.

3. Enhanced Audio: HDMI 2.1 supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), which allows for higher-quality audio formats and improved audio synchronization between devices. If you're using external audio devices or a soundbar, eARC can be beneficial.

4. Higher Bandwidth: HDMI 2.1 provides higher overall bandwidth, allowing for the transmission of higher resolutions and more data at faster speeds. This is particularly useful for future-proofing your setup as content and devices continue to advance.

For your Xbox Series X and Steam Deck, HDMI 2.0 should be sufficient to handle most gaming scenarios, including the Samsung Odyssey G5's 165Hz refresh rate. VRR can enhance the gaming experience, but it's not essential, especially if the monitor doesn't support it.

Ultimately, if the Samsung Odyssey G5 offers the features you desire (165Hz, 1ms response, HDR10, and 2K resolution) at a good price, it can be a worthwhile upgrade even with HDMI 2.0. It's a well-rounded monitor that should provide an enjoyable gaming experience on your Xbox Series X and Steam Deck.

[AcidVenus]

I appreciate the in depth reply! It made a few things I wasn't sure about a bit more clearer.
I'd use Google to answer one question and then it raised more questions.

I think I'm gonna go for it. I didn't expect my current TV to be so poor in some areas. Apparently it's 50hz, and there's some other disappointments. I bought it in an emergency after my old TV stopped turning on. Going from a bog standard 32" 1080p to this 43" 4k HDR was amazing at the time. It's what made me upgrade my console early.

But I think I've gotten used to this now and no longer appreciate it and crave the next upgrade for my eyes to enjoy.
And this G5 I'll be able to purchase for under £100.

Thanks again!

[Crawl]

I wouldn't worry about not having HDMI 2.1. Pretty much any high resolution/high refresh monitor is going to support DSC which makes it a non issue.

[Obsessive Power]

Początkowo opublikowane przez AcidVenus:

I think I'm gonna go for it. I didn't expect my current TV to be so poor in some areas. Apparently it's 50hz,

I would just like to make it clear, your TV isn't 50Hz. It will be 60Hz. It just supports 50Hz because UK TV signals are 50Hz. TV's in the UK haven't been 50Hz only since the early 00's. PAL60 did away with 50Hz only. Indeed, the Sega Dreamcast did 60Hz when connected to a compatible TV in the UK and Europe back in the day.

[Agent]

Use display port.

[GOD RAYS ON ULTRA™]

You're supposed to use display port on gaming monitors. HDMI is for TV's.