HARMAN has announced that several of its JBL- and ARCAM-branded components will be upgradeable to HDMI 2.0.
JBL Synthesis’ latest AVR and AV preamplifier models already include high-resolution HDMI 2.0 4K UHD switching capability. Now, JBL Synthesis has announced that the current SDR-35 and SDP-55 models in the range will be upgradable to HDMI 2.1 in Q4 of 2021. Additionally, ARCAM’s latest AVR models also include HDMI 2.0 4K UHD switching capability, and now all the current models in the range — AVR10, AVR20, AVR30, and AV40 — will be upgradable to HDMI 2.1 in Q4 of 2021.
For each of these products, a new HDMI 2.1 video board that can be retrofitted into all current models was developed. The installation of the new video board can be done by any authorized JBL Synthesis or ARCAM service center. After conversion, these AVRs will feature HDMI 2.1 capability on all inputs and outputs.
HDMI 2.1 is the latest standard for audio/video connectivity and adds additional features and capabilities over the existing HDMI 2.0 standard. With HDMI 2.1, bandwidth capability extends to 48 Gbps — up from 18 Gbps with HDMI 2.0, resolutions are supported up to 10K, and frame rates are supported up to 120 fps. While the new standard maintains the same physical connector and is backwards compatible with existing HDMI 2.0 cables and components, new Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are required to unlock the full capabilities of HDMI 2.1 products. Many model year 2021 televisions already have at least one HDMI 2.1 input and source capability can be found with the latest high-resolution gaming platforms.
“By announcing this forthcoming HDMI upgrade today, we are giving our customers the confidence that their AVR will remain at the leading edge of audio and video capability and will support the future wave of 8K video products,” says Jim Garrett, senior director, product strategy and planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio. “We will be working with our global dealer and distributor partners to ensure that the upgrade process is as quick and painless as possible and that performance and reliability are first-rate.”
While the HDMI 2.1 board installation has been designed to be as simple as possible, due to specialist handling requirements for PCBs, the upgrade will need to be completed by an authorized JBL Synthesis or ARCAM service center. Details and pricing of the HDMI 2.1 upgrade will be announced later this summer in advance of the Q4 2021 availability.
For more information, visit harman.com.
