More TVs to have 4 (or 3) HDMI 2.1 ports in 2025
Enabled by MediaTek's new Pentonic 800 chip, more TV models in 2025 will feature four – or three – full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, similar to LG and Samsung. Currently, only LG and Samsung offer four HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports in their TVs. This is possible because the two Koreans design their own or use customized chips. In contrast, most other TV brands, including Hisense, Panasonic, Philips, Sony and TCL, rely on stock MediaTek chips like the Pentonic 1000 or 700, which are limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports (plus two HDMI 2.0 ports).More TVs with 4x HDMI 2.1 in 2025
In June 2024, MediaTek announced the Pentonic 800 chip – to succeed Pentonic 700 – stating that it "supports up to 4 high-speed video/audio input interfaces". However, it was unclear whether this would translate to four HDMI 2.1 ports in the actual TVs. Hisense has now confirmed that some of its 2025 models will indeed feature four HDMI 2.1 ports, as highlighted by Vincent Teoh on X. In certain markets, the 2025 U8Q will have three HDMI 2.1 ports, with the fourth replaced by a USB-C DisplayPort for PC gaming. To our knowledge, this marks the first time USB-C has been included in a TV, an intriguing development. How do we know that Hisense is using the Pentonic 800 chip specifically? MediaTek confirmed as much in a CES 2025 press release: - "MediaTek is working closely with Hisense, which is using the MediaTek Pentonic 800 to leverage MiraVision Pro as part of Hi-View, creating a technology synergy that enhances and supports Hi-View functionalities," wrote MediaTek.What other 2025 TVs?
At this time, only Hisense has confirmed plans, but considering that MediaTek's chips power most popular Smart TVs today, we expect more brands to jump on Pentonic 800 or a potential successor to Pentonic 1000 in the near future. Sony and Philips did not announce any new TVs at CES 2025, while Hisense and TCL showcased only a few highlights. For details on which SoC is used in specific TV models, check FlatpanelsHD's TV Database.MediaTek Pentonic 800 – specifications
FlatpanelsHD
ProcessorsCPU TypeArm Cortex-A73
CPU CoresQuad (4)
Max CPU Frequency1.8GHz
MemoryUp to 64-bit DDR4 @ 3200Mbps
GPU TypeArm Mali-G57 MC1
DisplayMax Display Resolution3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 165Hz
ME/MC3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 120Hz
HDR Standards
- Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail
- HDR10/HLG
- AHDR by Technicolor
- HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive and HDR10+ Gaming
- HDR Vivid
Video Decoding
- HEVC (H.265)
- VVC (H.266)
- AV1
- AVS3 High Profile
- VP9
DemodEmbedded, Full-Region Demodulators
- ATSC
- DVB-T/C/T2/S/S2/S2X
- ISDB-T
- DTMB
AudioHi-Res Audio SupportYes
Audio Decoding
- Dolby Atmos MS12 v2.x
- DTS:X
- MPEG-H
Audio Sound effect
- Dolby DAP with Atmos
- Dolby Atmos FlexConnect
- DTS: Virtual X
MicrophoneYes
AIIntegrated AI ProcessorYes
AI-VoiceYes
AI-Display
- AI-SR 3.0
- AI-Contrast 2.0
- AI-PQ Scene Recognition 2.0+
- AI-PQ Object Recognition 2.5
Interfaces & ExpansionExternal Interfaces
- HDMI 2.1a FRL 48Gbps
- DP 1.4a
- VB1 and eDP panel interface
- USB 3.2 Gen-1 (5Gbps)
- USB 2.0
Internal IO
- USB 3.2 Gen-1 (5Gbps)
- eMMC 5.1