From CE Pro "Upcoming HDMI 2.1a Version Update Adds Source-Based Tone Mapping to Maxi

[Robert Zohn]

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Check out this very important HDMI 2.1 spec upgrade to HDMI 2.1a that will enhance HDR picture quality.

HDMI Forum & HDMI Licensing Administrator groups preview HDMI 2.1a in pre-CES update, highlighting how Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) optimizes HDR imagery.

[Geoff D]

Source based tone mapping? So it’s like low latency DV then?

[jhawkjd]

What I didn't see (and maybe I just didn't pick up on it) is any statement of if it is intended to be implemented by a software update on existing hardware or if it will require new hardware.

[albertbj]

Originally Posted by jhawkjd

What I didn't see (and maybe I just didn't pick up on it) is any statement of if it is intended to be implemented by a software update on existing hardware or if it will require new hardware.

According to the 2nd-to-last paragraph, it depends:

"All types of set-top boxes and many other devices, including various displays, will be able to implement the HDMI 2.1a SBTM feature, many via firmware upgrade, depending on the design. Both source and sink need to be upgraded for the feature to work."

[Lee A Stewart]

HDMI 2.0 devices are now HDMI 2.1 devices: "HDMI 2.0 no longer exists"

Be vigilant if you are planning to buy a TV, monitor or media player in 2022. The HDMI organization now lets manufacturers advertise HDMI 2.1 compatibility even if no HDMI 2.1 features are supported.

https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.ph...&id=1639473077

[Mr. Kino]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

HDMI 2.0 devices are now HDMI 2.1 devices: "HDMI 2.0 no longer exists"



https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.ph...&id=1639473077

Yeah. Leaving manufacturers to be responsible for providing adequate and correct information about which optional features are included in their hdmi 2.1 implementations! What could possibly go wrong?

[wxman2003]

Originally Posted by albertbj

According to the 2nd-to-last paragraph, it depends:

"All types of set-top boxes and many other devices, including various displays, will be able to implement the HDMI 2.1a SBTM feature, many via firmware upgrade, depending on the design. Both source and sink need to be upgraded for the feature to work."

I guess those of us that watch via disc on a UHD player will have to hope the vendor updates our players for this to work. So much for my OPPO 203 getting updated.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by wxman2003

I guess those of us that watch via disc on a UHD player will have to hope the vendor updates our players for this to work. So much for my OPPO 203 getting updated.

I'll call it right now: there isn't an existing stand-alone UHD player on the planet that's getting this "update", it's not something that can just be inserted with a couple lines of code. And you'd need to have a TV that supports it anyway

[mkozlows]

Originally Posted by wxman2003

I guess those of us that watch via disc on a UHD player will have to hope the vendor updates our players for this to work. So much for my OPPO 203 getting updated.

Why would you care about it on a disc player? The whole point of this is for sources to get information about what a TV can do, so that they can tweak their output to be Just Right for that TV.

There's no real reason to do that with pre-recorded TV/movie content, which is mastered at whatever it is, and can be tone-mapped just as easily at the display as at the source.

What this is for is signals that are being generated on the fly -- gaming, obviously, but the linked article also mentions the home screens on streaming devices as another place. This is really just taking HGIG to the next level, automating it so that your Xbox or PlayStation can _know_ what your display can do, instead of requiring you to go through some calibrate-by-eye screens to manually define your TV's limits.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by mkozlows

Why would you care about it on a disc player? The whole point of this is for sources to get information about what a TV can do, so that they can tweak their output to be Just Right for that TV.

There's no real reason to do that with pre-recorded TV/movie content, which is mastered at whatever it is, and can be tone-mapped just as easily at the display as at the source.

What this is for is signals that are being generated on the fly -- gaming, obviously, but the linked article also mentions the home screens on streaming devices as another place. This is really just taking HGIG to the next level, automating it so that your Xbox or PlayStation can _know_ what your display can do, instead of requiring you to go through some calibrate-by-eye screens to manually define your TV's limits.

Yeah, this is basically yet another gaming feature added to HDMI that people will be desperately scrambling to have but which will have zero impact on actual movie watching.

[Robert Zohn]

Here's John Archer's Forbes article on HDMI 2.1a. Very good read!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarc...h=3b19361c69bc

[wxman2003]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Ur...ature=youtu.be