HDMI 2.1a unveiled to improve HDR

HDMI 2.1a is becoming clearer today. The new standard is announced by the HDMI Licensing Administrator consortium, shortly before CES 2022 (which will take place in January).

HDMI 2.1a relies on Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM)

The main thing to remember about HDMI 2.1a is SBTM (Source-Based Tone Mapping). Currently, it is the broadcasting device (television, video projector, monitor, etc.) which takes care of all the work to manage the display of the image, whether in SDR or HDR. With the SBTM of the new standard, the task will be shared between the broadcasting device and the source device (Blu-ray player, box, console, etc.).

Here’s how the HDMI Licensing Administrator consortium explains it:

Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM) is a new HDR feature that allows part of the HDR mapping to be performed by the source device instead of the broadcast device. SBTM is particularly useful in cases where HDR and SDR videos or graphics are combined into a single image, such as a picture in picture or a program guide with an integrated video window. SBTM also allows PCs and gaming devices to automatically output an optimized HDR signal to maximize use of the display’s HDR capabilities without having to manually configure the source device.

The good thing is that televisions and other devices that already have HDMI 2.1 will be able to have HDMI 2.1a. Indeed, a software update will suffice. It is impossible to say when it will be available since each manufacturer will have their own pace.

The HDMI 2.1a standard will be available in 2022. The consortium hopes to make it available in the first quarter of the year.