HDMI 2.1 isn’t particularly a new technology. We really started noticing it back in 2020, when the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X were launched, as HDMI 2.1 is needed for 4K120 gameplay. Typically, TVs have launched with just a single HDMI 2.1 port, as it is pretty expensive and demands a lot of power. However, thanks to a new MediaTek processor, the Pentonic 800, we could see TVs with as many as four HDMI 2.1 ports later this year – and that includes some of Hisense’s new TVs.
Those TV makers using the Pentonic 700 and Pentonic 1000 chips are currently limited to just two HDMI 2.1 ports. However, Samsung and LG are the only other manufacturers that are able to offer TVs with four HDMI 2.1 ports. This is because Samsung and LG rely on their own in-house chipsets to provide this feature. Now with MediaTek offering it to Hisense and others, we could see this feature start to become standard later this year.
Hisense has confirmed that its higher-end TVs (MicroLED TVs, 116UX, U9Q, U8Q, U7Q Pro) will use the MediaTek Pentonic 800 chipset, and that will offer four HDMI 2.1 ports.
What does this mean for customers?
The biggest advantage here is that customers don’t need to swap out their PlayStation 5 for an Xbox Series X every time they want to switch platforms but still have 4K120. Instead, each console can get their own HDMI port and it can stay plugged in. And as we start to get more products that need the power of HDMI 2.1, it’ll become even more useful. Just as was the case with HDMI eARC a few years ago.
These Hisense TVs should start launching in the next few months. We don’t yet have pricing nor availability on the new MicroLED 116MX or the new RGB TV that Hisense announced at CES last week. But we should learn more soon.
