It doesn't seem that long ago that HDMI 2.1 was announced, forcing gamers with the new PS5 and Xbox Series X to upgrade their cables to get 120fps refresh rates while gaming. Now, at CES 2022, a new version of HDMI will be announced, bringing one major feature of HDR.

According to The Verge, HDMI 2.1a will be introduced at CES 2022. The new standard is more of an upgrade than a complete overhaul; HDMI 2.1a will bring Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM).

HDMI 2.1a's Source-Based Tone Mapping is a new HDR feature that allows the original content source (PC, 4K Blu-ray player, console, etc.) to optimize tones before sending the video signal to the monitor or best TV. Of course, displays can also do their own internal tone mapping.

What this means is that users will no longer need to calibrate their displays for HDR content. The source can do all the tone mapping optimization and pass it on to the display. This is especially useful when switching from one display to another, since the user does not have to fiddle with the display settings.

The HDMI Forum states that set-top box, game company, and TV manufacturers can add HDMI 2.1a support through firmware updates "depending on their design." For major TV manufacturers such as Sony, LG, and Samsung, it is possible that their previous top-of-the-line models could be updated to HDMI 2.1a via software. All of these companies have a history of sending firmware updates to add additional features.

As for purchasing HDMI 2.1a cables or compatible TVs, this is not yet possible. The new features have not yet been fully released. However, SBTM appears to be an option for TV manufacturers, and consumers should read the specifications carefully before purchasing a 2022 TV.

Based on the HDMI Licensing Administrator's rules, even if a port is labeled HDMI 2.1a, it may not support SBTM. This rule also allows TV manufacturers to label a port as HDMI 2.1 in terms of functionality when it is actually an HDMI 2.0 port. This is because inexpensive 4K TVs may not even support 8K video at 120 fps, so there is no need to add 2.1 functionality.

According to The Verge, the HDMI Forum states that companies must specify what features their TVs support.

TFT Central explains that manufacturers distinguish between HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 ports on their TVs, but according to the rules, manufacturers can label each port as 2.1.

While it is understandable why the HDMI Forum has taken such a flexible approach to HDMI 2.1 labeling, the end result may be too confusing for most consumers. In general, a higher numbered product should translate to a better overall feature set; the iPhone13 vs. iPhone12 comparison is a clear example of this. However, it defeats the purpose if consumers have to look up the spec sheet of their TV to see if the HDMI 2.1a port supports all the features of the 2.1a SBTM.

Still, we expect to hear more details about HDMI 2.1a from TV manufacturers at CES 2022 early next year. Until then, let's check out the top TV trends for 2022 and the most anticipated Netflix shows for 2022.