Yamaha's 2020 line-up of receivers will be one of the first to feature HDMI 2.1 ports, including support for optional HDMI 2.1 features like ALLM, VRR, QMS, and QFT, according to HiFi-Forum.de.

HDMI 2.1 in your receiver
4K and 8K TVs are slowly but surely transitioning to HDMI 2.1, which enables higher-bandwidth video signals such as 4K120 and 8K60 as well as new exciting features for gamers and movie buffs.

To enjoy the new HDMI 2.1 features in a TV together with a full speaker system you either need to upgrade to a receiver with full HDMI 2.1 passthrough or rely on HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) by connecting playback devices directly to your TV and returning audio to the receiver via eARC. Some HDMI 2.0 receivers are equipped with eARC.

 Also read: HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC explained

Here is where it gets tricky: If you want to also enjoy the optional TV features under HDMI 2.1 that enhance gaming and other experiences, while looping video signals through a receiver, your receiver must support passthrough of these optional HDMI 2.1 features in addition to HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.

Examples of optional HDMI 2.1 features are ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh), QFT (Quick Frame Transport), and QMS (Quick Media Switching). For more details on what advantages these features offer see our HDMI 2.1 article here.



No HDMI 2.1 receivers were officially announced at CES 2020 but Yamaha's 2020 line-up of Aventage receivers will seemingly be one of the first to arrive with HDMI 2.1. The Yamaha RX-A8 (11 channels), RX-A6 (9 channels), RX-A4 (7 channels) and RX-A2 (7 channels) were detailed in a now-removed video and summarized in German HiFi-Forum.



The slides confirm that the receivers will also support ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh), QFT (Quick Frame Transport), and QMS (Quick Media Switching). In addition, the receivers come with a revamped design.

The 2020 Yamaha receivers will arrive later this year just in time for the first HDMI 2.1 playback devices, including next-generation game consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Other receiver brands are expected to also debut HDMI 2.1 receivers in the near future.

- Source: HiFi Forum.de