Where it says “HDMI 2.1”, it doesn't necessarily contain a lot of HDMI 2.1. A recent example of this is Dell's new giant UltraSharp U4323QE monitor with 4K UHD on 43 inches. Apparently it doesn't support any of the new HDMI 2.1 features. However, Dell at least points this out in the manual.
The UltraSharp U4323QE is a large new addition to Dell's monitor portfolio. 3,840 × 2,160 pixels are offered on a diagonal of 42.51 inches (107.95 cm). The format corresponds to many 4K televisions, which are small by today's standards.
The selection of connections is diverse: DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 are available twice. USB-C is even represented four times. There are also additional USB-A sockets, network and audio.
With HDMI 2.1 it will be adventurous
The footnote in the manual (PDF) for HDMI 2.1 shouldn't be overlooked, however, because it has it all:
< p class="p text-width">**Not supporting the HDMI 2.1 optional specification, including HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC), Audio Return Channel (ARC), standard for 3D format and resolutions, standard for 4K digital cinema resolution, HDR, Fixed Rate Link(FRL), Enhanced audio return channel (eARC), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Media Switching (QMS), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Display Stream Compression (DSC), and Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM ).
A footnote in the Dell U4323QE manual
As a result, virtually none of the new HDMI 2.1 features are supported. Neither the variable refresh rates (VRR) nor the extended audio return channel (eARC), the compression technology DSC or the low-latency mode are offered via the connections. Since the Fixed Rate Link signal technology is also not supported, there is no tool for faster transmission of uncompressed data.
Marketing HDMI 2.0 as HDMI 2.1 is allowed
In this case, “HDMI 2.1” basically means HDMI 2.0. And that is unfortunately also allowed within the framework of the certification guidelines. Because “all new capabilities and functions of HDMI 2.1 are optional,” as the official statement says. HDMI 2.0 actually no longer exists and was simply made part of HDMI 2.1. The article linked below provides background information:
- Misleading: “HDMI 2.1” basically means all or nothing
On the one hand, it's commendable that Dell details the missing (but optional) HDMI 2.1 features in the U4323QE's manual, as the TFT Central website notes in its review. On the other hand, from the point of view of customer information, it would have been good for the monitor to continue to speak directly of HDMI 2.0, as other manufacturers still do with new products. Some manufacturers, on the other hand, only speak of “HDMI” and thus awkwardly avoid the problem; the customer is therefore completely puzzled.
Ultimately, the blame lies in the public guidelines for certifying devices with HDMI. An “HDMI 2.1” equipped with HDMI 2.0 should simply not be marketed as a new interface.
There is still time until the market launch
Dell would probably have some time to improve the manual before the UltraSharp U4323QE is launched on the market. Because so far there have only been hints in the form of data sheets, but no product pages, let alone a price or availability date.
But private photos discovered during the research by the editors do show something more of the monitor.