HDMI 2.1 Upgrade Coming for Arcam and JBL Synthesis Processors and Receivers
Arcam and JBL Synthesis have announced a HDMI 2.1 board upgrade for its latest AV Receiver and Processors.
Arcam and JBL Synthesis's latest AVR models already sport high-resolution HDMI 2.0 4K UHD switching capability. However, these have been designed with upgradability in mind from the outset, making today's news possible. Arcam's current models (AVR10, AVR20, AVR30, and AV40) and Harman stablemate JBL Synthesis's SDR-35 AVR and SDP-55 AV preamp are all upgradable to HDMI 2.1.
The engineering teams at both Arcam and JBL Synthesis have designed a new HDMI 2.1 video board that can be retrofitted into their respective current models to meet the demands of the forthcoming wave of 8K video products.
The installation of the new video board can be done by any authorised Arcam or Synthesis service centre, depending on which brand you own. After conversion, these AVRs will feature HDMI 2.1 capability on all inputs and outputs.
HDMI 2.1 extends bandwidth capability to 48Gbps – up from 18Gbps with HDMI 2.0. Resolutions supported up to 10K and frame rates up to 120fps. While the new standard maintains the same physical connector and is backwards compatible with existing HDMI 2.0 cables and components, new Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables are required to unlock HDMI 2.1 products' full capabilities, we are told. Expect more newly released TVs featuring at least one HDMI 2.1 input. Additionally, the latest gaming consoles and PC video cards, such as NVIDIA's RTX 30 series, can be found sporting HDMI 2.1 connectivity.
Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio, told StereoNET:
By announcing this forthcoming HDMI upgrade today, we are giving our customers the confidence that their AVR will remain at the leading edge of audio and video capability and will support the future wave of 8K video products. We will be working with our global dealer and distributor partners to ensure that the upgrade process is as quick and painless as possible and that performance and reliability are first-rate.
Details and pricing of the HDMI 2.1 upgrade will be announced later this year in advance of the Q4 2021 availability. Let's just hope that it's smoother than the Denon/ Marantz implementation.
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in:Home Theatre
Tags: arcam advance audio jbl convoy
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