JBL Synthesis and ARCAM Announce HDMI 2.1 Upgradability for Select Models

(April 27, 2021) HARMAN Luxury Audio has announced HDMI 2.1 upgrade options for several different JBL Synthesis and ARCAM models. While pricing details are expected to be announced this summer, kits – which require authorized professional installation – won’t begin shipping until Q4 2021.

“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,” said 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.”

Models expected to be eligible for an HDMI 2.1 upgrade include ARCAM’s AVR10, AVR20, AVR30, and AV30, and JBL Synthesis’s SDR-35 and SDP-55.

HDMI 2.1 represents the industry’s latest standard for audio/video connectivity with bandwidth capability extending to 48Gbps, resolution support up to 10K, and frame rate support up to 120fps. While this new standard maintains the same physical connector and is backward compatible with existing HDMI 2.0 cables, users will need to purchase and install new 2.1 Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables to unlock the full capabilities of HDMI 2.1 products.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

More new cables.... at some point down the line.

I wonder if 2.1 is going to be software upgradeable for any of the AVR/processors, or is it all hardware with units having to be sent back to the manufacturer?

 

[Todd Anderson]

You need the new chip... so no firmware upgrade from 2.0 to 2.1.

 

[jsil36]

I was going to buy a new avr this year but I'm going to wait now.

 

[AVR tech]

More new cables.... at some point down the line.

I wonder if 2.1 is going to be software upgradeable for any of the AVR/processors, or is it all hardware with units having to be sent back to the manufacturer?

All new hardware, as boards needed to be designed and fitted with second gen HDMI 2.1 chips supporting 40 Gbps speeds on ports. Plus software package with quality HDMI 2.1 features.

Some units need to be sent for board exchange. New production line units will be factory fitted with new boards.