Audio Video News

HDMI 2.0a is almost upon us. But why? Didn’t A/V manufacturers just assimilate HDMI 2.0?

The answer is that HDMI 2.0a will further improve picture quality, firming up 2.0’s Ultra HD support with complementary HDR (high dynamic range) technology. Does that mean 2.0a will transmit video in a new way? Not really—but it will add metadata extensions to enable the display to tweak color and contrast for greater realism. This will turn your Ultra HD into Super Duper Ultra HD (not an official moniker).

With the HDMI 2.0a spec just having been approved by the HDMI Forum, it will take a while to trickle into TVs. Most 2015 models will not support 2.0a and HDR, although Sony has confirmed that some of its recent sets will support them with a software update. When HDMI 2.0a does come to market, it will not require a new kind of HDMI cable. Your existing cables will work just fine.