Thursday, February 29th 2024
HDMI Forum Rejects AMD's HDMI 2.1 Open-Source Driver Proposal, No 4K@120 Hz or 5K@240 Hz on Linux
AMD recently tried to add support for key HDMI 2.1 features like 4K@120 Hz and 5K@240 Hz to their open-source Linux graphics driver called AMDGPU. They invested engineering resources over several months to prototype the necessary code internally before publishing. The goal was to showcase HDMI 2.1 capabilities and get the implementation approved by the HDMI Forum. Unfortunately, the Forum ultimately rejected AMD's request, blocking Linux users of new AMD Radeon GPUs from utilizing those cutting-edge display features over HDMI. In comments, AMD stated: "The HDMI Forum has rejected our proposal unfortunately. At this time an open source HDMI 2.1 implementation is not possible without violating HDMI Forum requirements." This outcome comes as a major disappointment given the time and effort AMD expended aiming to satisfy the Forum's guidelines. The months of work now feel wasted with this outright rejection. As reasoning, the HDMI Forum cited legal and compliance rules around not enabling open-source HDMI 2.1 code.
Legal issues and compliance are major problems for open-source HDMI developers, as HDMI Forum has decided to make the HDMI specification private in 2021. This directly translates into the newest open-source driver developments, where the latest features will probably remain behind a closed-source binary. Consequently, AMD is advising Linux gamers to use DisplayPort if they want access to features like 4K 120 Hz gaming. Meanwhile, Windows AMD users still get full HDMI 2.1 capabilities. This dichotomy spotlights the ongoing obstacles around open-source driver development. The rejection also strains the AMD - HDMI Forum relationship. AMD hoped spearheading open-source HDMI 2.1 drivers would position them as leaders in the open-source community. Instead, their flexibility plea was denied by the rigid HDMI Forum requirements. Ultimately, whether Linux-based AMD owners can ever utilize next-gen HDMI 2.1 displays fully remains to be determined. For now, AMD continues pushing open-source as the best approach, while the HDMI Forum refuses to budge on compliance demands. Both sides seem firmly entrenched, leaving consumers caught in the middle.
Sources:
GitLab, Phoronix, via Tom's Hardware
Legal issues and compliance are major problems for open-source HDMI developers, as HDMI Forum has decided to make the HDMI specification private in 2021. This directly translates into the newest open-source driver developments, where the latest features will probably remain behind a closed-source binary. Consequently, AMD is advising Linux gamers to use DisplayPort if they want access to features like 4K 120 Hz gaming. Meanwhile, Windows AMD users still get full HDMI 2.1 capabilities. This dichotomy spotlights the ongoing obstacles around open-source driver development. The rejection also strains the AMD - HDMI Forum relationship. AMD hoped spearheading open-source HDMI 2.1 drivers would position them as leaders in the open-source community. Instead, their flexibility plea was denied by the rigid HDMI Forum requirements. Ultimately, whether Linux-based AMD owners can ever utilize next-gen HDMI 2.1 displays fully remains to be determined. For now, AMD continues pushing open-source as the best approach, while the HDMI Forum refuses to budge on compliance demands. Both sides seem firmly entrenched, leaving consumers caught in the middle.
68 Comments on HDMI Forum Rejects AMD's HDMI 2.1 Open-Source Driver Proposal, No 4K@120 Hz or 5K@240 Hz on Linux
I do use HDMI on the PC for several applications, but it's mainly multi-PC setups where the monitors just only have on DP in and one or two HDMI ins. Alternative is to use DP switches.
I expect tv's to be offering usb-c ports with dp alt mode in the near time and that will expand until it becomes the standard. But it will take time.
Really sad to see open drivers to be hindered in such a way.
The only mystery why consumer TV makers are so turn on by HDMI.
The DP is owned by VESA which is mainly focused on the PC market where as HDMI is primarily TV markets.
It is a simple example of cartel behavior and blocking competition and free choice.
The same companies that run the HDMI Forum and refuse to allow a single implementation to be open in fear that the details may be used to circumvent the newest HDCP standards.
It is not about the HDCP... but royalties...
"Sorry your brand new $2000 AV reciever? Yeah dump it and get this new one in 6 months cause it supports the "new" connector standard.....Does nothing new.....just has the "new" connector"
So companies can drag consumers forward kicking and screaming the whole way. It's just that right now there isn't sufficient incentive to do so.
This has/is impacting things like 4k Netflix streams on PC etc.
Switch 2 I am sure will work regularly over usb-c for example. As do pc handhelds.