HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4 Basics: Video Transmission Standards for the 8K Era

In production testing of TV sets, monitors and commercial displays, HDMI and DisplayPort (DP) are the two most common video input interfaces. With the spread of 8K ultra-HD, HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4 have become must-have outputs for test signal sources. This article introduces the basics and differences of the two standards.

1. HDMI 2.1 Basics

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the most widely used video interface in consumer electronics. Released in 2017, HDMI 2.1 is a major upgrade over HDMI 2.0:

• Bandwidth: up from 18Gbps to 48Gbps (FRL mode);
• Resolution & refresh rate: supports 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz;
• Key features: Dynamic HDR, eARC enhanced audio return, VRR variable refresh rate, ALLM auto low-latency mode;
• Typical applications:8K TVs, game consoles, high-end set-top boxes.

2. DP 1.4 Basics

DisplayPort is an open standard by VESA, dominant in PC monitors and professional displays. Key DP 1.4 specifications:

• Bandwidth:32.4Gbps in HBR3 mode;
• Resolution & refresh rate: supports 8K@60Hz (with DSC compression) or 4K@120Hz;
• Key features: DSC display stream compression, MST multi-stream transport, integration with USB-C Alt Mode;
• Typical applications: esports monitors, professional graphics monitors, docking stations.

3. HDMI 2.1 vs DP 1.4

4. What It Means for Whole-Set Testing

Functional testing (FCT) on whole-set production lines requires a standard signal source to verify each interface version one by one: whether 8K signals are recognized, whether 4K@120Hz lights up, whether the HDCP handshake passes, and so on. Yuanwei Technology’s 8K video pattern generators (such as the SVG-2201 and SUC-211) support HDMI 2.1 and DP 1.4 output, with a variety of built-in standard test patterns and timings — enabling one-stop automated testing for TV mainboard and whole-set production lines.