ARCAM is announcing that all current models in the range – AVR10, AVR20, AVR30, and AV40 – will be upgradable to HDMI 2.1 in Q4 of 2021.
ARCAM’s latest AVR models already represent state-of-the-art features and performance including high-resolution HDMI 2.0 4K UHD switching capability. Designed from the beginning with upgradability in mind, today ARCAM is announcing that all current models in the range – AVR10, AVR20, AVR30, and AV40 – will be upgradable to HDMI 2.1 in Q4 of 2021.
In order to meet the demands of the forthcoming wave of 8K video products, the ARCAM engineering team has developed a new HDMI 2.1 video board that can be retrofitted into all current models. The installation of the new video board can be done by any authorised ARCAM service centre. 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 48Gbps – up from 18Gbps with HDMI 2.0, resolutions are supported up to 10K, and frame rates are supported up to 120fps. 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.” 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.”
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 authorised ARCAM service centre. Details and pricing of the HDMI 2.1 upgrade will be announced later this summer in advance of the Q4 2021 availability.