Can HDMI 2.1 do 8K at 60 Hz?
AnswerYes, if…
Yes, but not uncompressed in full colour. 8K 60 Hz 10-bit needs 62.06 Gbps and HDMI 2.1 delivers 42.67. It gets there with DSC, or with 4:2:0 colour (31.03 Gbps), which is how 8K TVs receive it. DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 is the only common link that carries 8K 60 10-bit 4:4:4 uncompressed.
8K 60 Hz, 10-bit 4:4:4
| Link | Needs | Has | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.1 48G | 62.06 Gbps20.69 with DSC | 42.67 Gbps | With DSC |
| DP 1.4 | 62.06 Gbps20.69 with DSC | 25.92 Gbps | With DSC |
| DP 2.1 UHBR20 | 62.06 Gbps | 77.37 Gbps | Fits |
How the numbers are worked out
Reduced-blanking timing (VESA CVT-R2)
7680×4320 active → 7760 × 4443 total pixels per frame
7760 × 4443 × 60 Hz = 2068.66 MHz pixel clock
2068.66 MHz × 30.0 bits per pixel = 62.06 Gbps
10-bit colour, full RGB/4:4:4: 3 × 10 = 30.0 bits per pixel.
"Has" is the link's usable rate after line coding. DSC is modelled as up to 3:1 compression. Full method.
8K 60 Hz, 10-bit 4:2:0
| Link | Needs | Has | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.1 40G | 31.03 Gbps | 35.56 Gbps | Fits |
| HDMI 2.1 48G | 31.03 Gbps | 42.67 Gbps | Fits |
The standards involved
HDMI 2.1
48 Gbps, 4K 120 Hz, 8K, VRR and eARC. The console and gaming-TV standard.
- data: 48 Gbps
- video: 4K 144 Hz / 8K 60 Hz (DSC)
DisplayPort 2.1 (and 2.0)
Up to 80 Gbps with UHBR20. 4K 240 Hz uncompressed and 8K without compression.
- data: 40 / 54 / 80 Gbps
- video: 4K 240 Hz / 8K 60 Hz uncompressed
DisplayPort 1.4
The current workhorse. 4K 120 Hz uncompressed, 4K 240 Hz and 8K with DSC.
- data: 32.4 Gbps
- video: 4K 120 Hz / 4K 240 Hz (DSC)