HDMI 2.1 will drive the popularity of the fiber optic HDMI market.
Release time:
2019-07-20
Entering 2019, it was found that 4K had become a common product, followed closely by the beginning of the popularization of 8K and 10K. The bandwidth of HDMI has progressed from the initial 1.4 version of 10.2G to the 2.0 version of 18G, and now to the HDMI 2.1 version of 48G. It can be said that it has made rapid progress. Today, let's talk about how HDMI 2.1 will drive the popularization of the fiber HDMI market.
The bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 has surged from 18Gbps of HDMI 2.0b to 48Gbps, fully supporting lossless video at ultra-high resolutions and refresh rates such as 4K@120Hz, 8K@100/120Hz, and 10K@100/120Hz, while also supporting dynamic HDR. Therefore, the HDMI 2.1 era requires a brand new ultra-high-speed data cable to meet the throughput, but an interesting problem has been discovered:
In the Cat 2 era, HDMI 2.0 data cables can use passive cables for lengths under 15 meters, while in the Cat.3 era, HDMI 2.1 high-speed data cables require power to drive signal transmission once they exceed 3 meters. Beyond 5 meters, pure copper cables can no longer meet the demand, and AOC (Active Optical Cable) must be used.
Due to the high costs of fiber optics, optoelectronic conversion modules, etc., and the fact that transmission is almost lossless and free from electromagnetic interference, currently, a 20-meter long HDMI 2.0 active optical cable costs as much as four to five hundred yuan, and the input and output ports cannot be reversed.
4K TVs have been popular for several years. Although video resources have not kept up, many 4K videos can still be downloaded. Nowadays, 8K TVs are gradually entering people's view. However, apart from encountering content similar to 4K TVs, the popularization of 8K TVs is fraught with difficulties, one of which lies in the HDMI 2.1 cable.
Although HDMI 2.0 can transmit 8K video, it can only achieve 8K at 30 frames. To achieve 8K at 60 frames, it can only rely on HDMI 2.1. The HDMI 2.1 standard has already appeared, but the HDMI 2.1 cables have encountered difficulties. To achieve HDMI 2.1, power is needed to drive signal transmission beyond 3 meters, and beyond 5 meters, AOC active optical cables are required, as copper cables cannot meet the demand. Click to view historical notes: The HDMI standard has been continuously upgraded since 2018; it is inevitable to think of the updated specifications from the association.
This means that the cost of HDMI 2.1 cables will be very high. Compared to the price of HDMI 2.0 using active optical cables exceeding 400 yuan, the price of HDMI 2.1 using active optical cables is estimated to be even higher. Therefore, the HDMI 2.1 cable issue will need to be resolved before the popularization of 8K TVs. However, in front of the vast cable manufacturers in China, price is not a problem. Recently, some manufacturers have targeted the price war of HDMI fiber.
However, the fiber HDMI industry currently still holds an opposing view on the price war. However, as market demand increases, manufacturers looking to increase market share will inevitably increase, and the price war will be forced to go online.
From 2019 to 2022, with the strong support of national policies, the careful improvement of predecessors in the HDMI cable industry, and the strong drive of technological development, the HDMI fiber market will welcome a turning point in growth driven by market demand! Everyone can look forward to it!
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