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renew: Denon and Marantz AVRs produced after May 2021 have no HDMI 2.1 errors
With the launch of PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, gamers can now enjoy games with up to 4K resolution and 120Hz frame rate.
This coincides with the introduction of many TVs and AV receivers that support HDMI 2.1, which is necessary to be able to handle the high bandwidth requirements of 4K high refresh rate games.
In the 2021 product series, there are not many TVs that support 120Hz and HDMI 2.1, but LG, Samsung and Sony have all launched 2021 models, and the 55-inch option starts at around £1200.
If you want to use an AV receiver to integrate the console with your home theater system, things are a bit tricky.
Yamaha, Denon and Marantz have launched receivers with HDMI 2.1, which should provide 4k/120hz HDR and 8k/60 HDR. However, the HDMI 2.1 chipset made by Nuvoto used by all manufacturers for this purpose has an error and cannot pass uncompressed 4K/120. According to reports, the larger one will not affect the PS5.
The solution is to connect your console to the TV and use an eARC-equipped HDMI port to pass audio back to your receiver. For those who do not have eARC, there is a SHARC eARC audio converter.
[Update] Starting in May, any receiver manufactured by Denon and Marantz has integrated the fix into the receiver.
Previously, Sound United, which owns Denon and Marantz, developed a SPK618 HDMI adapter that can obtain HDMI input signals from game sources and transmit the corrected HDMI data to the AVR, thereby correcting errors and allowing 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz The signal passed.
AV receiver affected by HDMI 2.1 error
Anyone who bought a receiver with HDMI problems but can apply for a free adapter, they should ship it now.
The affected recipients include:
Denon AV receiver
- Denon AVR-A110
- Denon AVR-X6700H
- Denon AVR-X4700H
- Denon AVR-X3700H
- Denon AVR-X2700H
- Denon AVR-S960H
Marantz AV receiver
- Marantz AV7706
- Marantz SR8015
- Marantz SR7015
- Marantz SR6015
- Marantz SR5015
- Marantz NR1711
How to check your Denon and Marantz AV receivers for HDMI 2.1 errors
Any receiver manufactured after May 2021 should be fine, but of course, you don’t know if the seller is selling an updated version or an older version. You can use the serial number to check.
Sound United has confirmed the model with the serial number ******70001 forward From the latest production run (that is, after May 2021), there are no HDMI 2.1 errors.
Yamaha 2020 AV receiver will undergo a hardware update later this year
Yamaha also announced that the RX-V4A, RX-V6A, RX-A2A, TSR-400 and TSR-700 receivers all have 4K/120Hz pass-through issues and require hardware updates in the future.
This HDMI board update will be provided to customers free of charge within 24 months after the start of the program. You need to register to learn about the next steps, but the update should be available in late summer.
Yamaha 2021 receiver-will support 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz, but will not support it at launch
It seems that the HDMI 2.1 legend will continue until the release of AVR in 2021. Yamaha has just released the RX-A8A, RX-A6A and RX-A4A. Although these receivers have HDMI 2.1 and support all the advanced features it provides, many of them will not be enabled when they are released.
4K/120Hz, 8K/60Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic low latency mode (ALLM), fast frame transfer (QFT) and fast media switching (QMS) will not appear at the time of release.
Similarly, the new advanced Aura 3D audio format will not appear when it is released.
Considering how long it took Denon and Marantz to repair their AVR, it would be difficult to recommend any of these new Yamahas until all the features are fully enabled.
AV receiver supporting 4k/120hz HDR and 8k/60Hz HDR in 2021
So, for a receiver that supports 4k/120hz HDR and 8k/60 HDR, what is your best choice?
Assuming you have purchased a newer Denon or Marantz receiver, they should both support 4k/120hz HDR.
Which receiver is best depends on your needs. I assume that most people who read my website are looking for something more affordable.
Denon AVR-X2700H is the most affordable, about £679 From a richer voice. It is well received, including 5-star reviews from What Hi-Fi (but they did not mention its HDMI issue).
However, many people think that Denon AVC-X3700H is worth the extra money (£1149 from Richer Sounds) Because it uses the top version of Audyssey (MultiEQ XT32) for excellent calibration. This is a huge price increase, so I’m not sure if I can defend myself.
[Originally posted on 24 May 2021] Updated information about fixed HDMI issues on Denon and Marantz AV receivers
