HDMI 2.1: VESA DSC & FEC IP Cores

HDMI 2.1 is the most recent update of the HDMI specification and offers a number of significant new features and bandwidth capabilities to support higher resolution displays and faster refresh rates.

HDMI 2.1 introduced support for Display Stream Compression (DSC) 1.2a, a visually lossless compression algorithm with a compression ratio of up to 3:1. VESA DSC 1.2a can be used for HDMI 2.1 applications to achieve display resolutions beyond 8K60/4:2:0/10-bit color, such as 8K60 RGB, 8K120, and even 10K120.

HDMI 2.1 & DSC (Display Stream Compression)

HDMI 2.1 provides up to 48 Gbit/s raw bandwidth, which can be used for displays supporting 8K and 10K operating at limited refresh rates or with reduced color information. In order to achieve even higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and greater color depths, HDMI 2.1 incorporates support for VESA Display Stream Compression (DSC) 1.2a. With the higher link rates allowed in HDMI 2.1, DSC makes resolutions of over 8K with HDR 10-bit color possible, at refresh rates of both 60Hz and 120Hz.

DSC can also be used with the previous HDMI standard link rates of 3 and 6 Gbit/s. This means that HDMI cables supporting earlier versions of the HDMI standard can also achieve higher resolutions and frame rates through the use of compression, making display resolutions above 4K at 120Hz possible.

See VESA DSC IP Cores

HDMI 2.1 & Forward Error Correction (FEC)

To achieve higher throughputs, HDMI 2.1 uses a new packet-based link layer. This layer converts the clock and three data lanes of original HDMI TMDS mode to three or four self-clocked links that can be operated at up to 12 Gbit/s. A versatile packet mode maps video, either uncompressed or compressed with DSC, audio, and data over the link. A Forward Error Correction (FEC) algorithm is used to correct possible transmission errors and ensure an error free transmission of the packets over the HDMI links.

Hardent’s HDMI FEC IP cores implement Reed-Solomon RS(255,251) FEC code and symbol de-interleaving/de-mapping as specified by the HDMI 2.1 standard.

See FEC IP Cores

Target applications include UHD monitors / TVs / home theaters / set-top boxes, HDMI 2.1 hubs and accessories, professional video equipment, and GPUs.

Related articles

Hardent IP Portfolio Supports New Features of HDMI 2.1 Specification

VESA DSC and Reed-Solomon FEC IP cores enable HDMI controller manufacturers and IP providers to quickly implement new features of HDMI 2.1 and support higher resolution displays. …
Read more

A Quick Guide to VESA Display Stream Compression

VESA Display Stream Compression (DSC) is a new standard that enables visually lossless compression for ultra-high definition display applications. This quick guide takes a look at the background to VESA DSC and how this new…
Read more
VESA DSC & FEC IP cores for HDMI 2.1
Hardent's VESA DSC & FEC IP cores for HDMI 2.1 help you achieve higher resolution displays & faster refresh rates