The PlayStation 5 offers HDMI 2.1. We explain what this standard offers you and who it might be important for. Our colleagues have now confirmed that the PS5 comes with an incorrect cable. We explain what this means for you.
What is HDMI? HDMI actually stands for “High Definition Multimedia Interface” and describes a standard for digital image and sound transmission. This allows you to transmit digital sound and image to a device at the same time.
What is the current state of technology? In late 2017, the current standard, HDMI 2.1, was released and offers a lot of new features compared to 2.0b.
Update 3.11.2020, 15:16: It now seems that the included cable of the PS5 will indeed support HDMI 2.1. It seems that it is only the labeling of the cable that is missing. An official statement is still outstanding. We have adjusted the article accordingly and apologize for the reporting.
PS5 and HDMI 2.1: What is the difference between HDMI 2.0 and 2.1?
The biggest difference is the significantly increased bandwidth, as HDMI 2.1 offers 48 Gbit/s compared to 18 Gbit/s of HDMI 2.0b.
- The predecessor HDMI 2.0a/b officially supports HDR videos, but for UHD, the color resolution is lowered to provide enough bandwidth.
- This can blur contours and contrasts. UHD-3D content is also generally possible but comes with limitations. In addition, HDMI 2.1 offers more new features.