AMD will finally add HDMI 2.1 support to Linux

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www.phoronix.com/news/AMDGPU-HDMI-2.1-FRL-Patches

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What has changed that allows them to do this, or are they just ignoring the HDMI Forum?


What is the difference between this implementation and the reverse engineered patches that were published a few months ago by Michał Kopeć and Tomasz Pakuła?

Edit: apparently it’s not the same patch, but Tomasz was CC’ed in the patch set so the timing might not be accidental.


I wonder what this means for the Steam Machine.

I wonder if this means we can get VRR on the Steam Deck via official dock. That would be great.

Well, the article says we won’t, so no need to wonder

UPDATE: Even more exciting… Per this comment from a prominent AMD Linux developer, it looks like a full HDMI 2.1 implementation for AMDGPU could be coming!





Title is clickbait. All that’s been confirmed so far is FRL.


Typical Phorinix. Wil not elaborate what FRL is.

The first paragraph:

It’s not complete HDMI 2.1 support but to much surprise hitting the mailing list today were official patches from AMD for implementing HDMI Fixed Rate Link “FRL” support for their kernel graphics driver. HDMI FRL as part of HDMI 2.1+ allows for higher bandwidth to support higher refresh rates and resolutions.

How much more of an explanation do you need?

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I’m no expert, but basically the way to unlock higher/full bandwidth for HDMI 2.1. This will allow the use of higher refresh rate, resolution, and bit depth + HDR. Right now you need to make sacrifices in at least one category with HDMI

Yeah I know the issue. You can run 4k TV at 120hz through it but it will use chroma subsampling to run on limited bandwidth.





don wan it


LOL… Surprised they aren’t only doing so for their workstation cards like they do for everything else. The SR-IOV disablement is just greed at its finest. AMD also just released their new CPU with only difference 3D cache on the orher side & they’re charging like an extra $300 for it.

Not that I want to defend AMD but the reason they haven’t been able to is because HDMI is a private spec and the HDMI forum specifically forbade them from releasing the driver they tried to publish a few years ago (even though the firmware with the actual implementation is in the GPU itself and still proprietary). That’s why 2.1 works on windows and not Linux with the past 2 gens of AMD GPUs.



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Valve is probably adding that to the Steam Machine as we speak.

Also, fuck the HDMI Forum!

That’s why you don’t challenge a open source developers. They will code you out of relevance.



We have DisplayPort for a reason.

Somebody tell that to TV manufacturers ;(


I use Display Port on my main PC monitor. Recently I added a secondary screen, a bigger TV screen, just to watch films on it. Neither I have a second Display Port on my GPU, nor have the TV any. So we are stuck with HDMI to a degree.

correct. in terms of supporting more hardware that is out there, this is very welcomed



Yes but if a GPU has DP it probably comes with HDMI, meaning they can still get your money*.


Given the issues we have with dport right now, I have to say that reason is masochism and a hatred of features.

Care to elaborate?




UPDATE: Even more exciting… Per this comment from a prominent AMD Linux developer, it looks like a full HDMI 2.1 implementation for AMDGPU could be coming!

Could be, key word “could.” I’ll believe it when I see it.

They already mentioned DSC is lined up to go out but still needs compliance testing, so the code is probably ready. The “could” wording is by Phoronix not the AMD developer.

This work was already finished 3 years ago but couldn’t be sent out due to the HDMI Forum blocking it.





Hooray for not-bullshit!

Also, fuck you HDMI Consortium, if you are reading this.

Please HDMI consortium fuck yourself.


Absolutely fuck them. Why do I feel like they’re only allowing it because people figured it out and reverse engineered it. Shows that you might as well because they won’t budge until forced.



it’s great to see Alexander right in the phoronix comments for that article! 😅

top lad. brave guy


Ah, so now the Steam Machine can release, right?

Right?


Guess i can throw out my adapter that i bought literally like 2 months ago, and haven’t even really used it yet cause i haven’t been gaming much in that timeframe lmao. I guess it’s good news though. And an obligatory fuck the hdmi forum.


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