HDMI 2.1 Isn't What It Seems

In the market for an HDMI 2.1 device to take advantage of all the cool new features? Be very careful before buying, as what you get may not be what you expect.

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[CptDrake]

If USB and HDMI won't use naming conventions that tell you what you're getting, I think it's time we demand that they place a checkbox of all the features they do support at that naming convention. Not just list. Check the ones supported. Make it visible in the manual and on the box.

[ragtop]

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for someone to make a public database of "actual" HDMI 2.1 displays vs HDMI 2.0 displays that have the 2.1 certification.

[Nuck-FobZz]

Honestly the people behind the HDMI label aren't "falling into a trap", they're bought and paid for by the companies that fund them so that they may put "HDMI 2.1" on the box.

[seth]

USB vs HDMI: who can confuse consumers more?

[husbeard]

We'll just wait for Linus to certify each cable, TV, and gaming device before we buy it. You have that fancy HDMI machine now, right!?

[Bidule]

This kind of consumer scam should be illegal. Bluetooth, USB, now HDMI, same way of tricking buyers with new versions where all new features are optional. What a shame.

[hubertnnn]

HDMI certificating company should be sued for false advertisement.

[ddpwe]

It's really telling, that these companies would rather tarnish their names, than to actually take care of their customers.

[Markyeef]

To me, it sounds like a class action lawsuit could be in order against the regulators regarding consumer friendly practices, as this naming convention is becoming intentionally misleading to consumers at the behest of manufacturers to make their products sound better than they are...

[endergamer]

USB naming got worse over time
HDMI naming got worse over time
But Wifi naming was bad but consistent, and then got better!
It's almost like it's possible to undo your past mistakes
Edit: NOOOO THEY FAILED US! WTF IS WIFI 6 RELEASE 2. JUST CAL IT WIFI 7

[samuelm]

I bet the HDMI naming organization was paid a HUGE amount by companies to allow this to pass.

[Wraithdagger]

USB forum: *makes specs that confuse even tech-literate people*
HDMI folk: HOLD MY BEER

This shit is so dumb. You think casual consumers (who might be vaguely aware of the differences between HDMI versions, bandwidth, features they need like EARC, etc.) are gonna deeply vet every product they might buy to make sure its HDMI spec (2.0 2.1 etc.) are the same from model to model? You're gonna have people expecting to have certain features and end up mad when they realize their device doesn't work the way they think it will. Whoever came up with this crap needs to be shot out of a cannon and banned from ever handling tech ever again.

[bunnybag]

But what really triggers me is that even if you're not following the "standards" or the standards aren't a standard, the most awful thing is that they don't even mention the specs they have.
Hey here's a USB 3.2 Disk, 20Gpbs? 5Gbps? IDK, why don't you buy it first and then find out.

[michaelgalligan]

This naming scheme is just like what happened with thunderbolt 3 & 4. The Thunderbolt 4 minimum data transfer speeds are the advertised data transfer speeds of thunderbolt 3 but the minimum thunderbolt 3 data transfer speeds are lower than advertised and people get confused about which thunderbolt cable to buy.

[kbeary]

"My car has 1000 hp!"

"Wow, that's amazing! And out of a '97 Civic, no less!"

"well, to clarify, it only has 120 hp. But that's a *subset* of a 1000hp car"

"umm, wut?"

[DerfLlennod]

honestly, having all the information on the device regardless of which hdmi it shows up is better than USB as I have noticed that not all 3.0 are the same. if they show off the ups and downs and charge capabilites (if any). you would see a lot of different kind of 3.0 numbers, let alone now gen (X)

[Oshadorin]

How is this not worthy of a class action lawsuit?

[rustyshackleford]

So basically every hdmi is gonna be 2.1 whether it meets the spec or not.

What's the point of that?

[kreature]

We're getting to the point where the term "standard" only applies to the shape of the socket, of we're not there already

[sorak]

Solution: just use DisplayPort instead.

...and hope DP doesn't end up doing the same thing...