AMD Radeon GPUs to Get Major Display Tech Overhaul in 2016

[btarunr]

AMD is readying a slew of feature-set additions to its Radeon GPUs, in 2016, targeted at display technology. To begin with, AMD is redesigning FreeSync, its adaptive-sync technology, to work over HDMI. The tech currently requires DisplayPort 1.2a. For this to work, the display should support FreeSync over HDMI on its end, as well. It's not as if every current HDMI display gets adaptive sync. AMD posted a partial list of upcoming displays that support FreeSync over HDMI. With this, AMD is pushing for a new generation of notebooks and convertibles that feature FreeSync displays.

Next up, AMD is implementing high dynamic range (HDR) display support on next-generation Radeon GPUs. Current Radeon GPUs already support 10-bit (30-bit color or 1.07 billion colors, compared to 16.7 million colors on 32-bit); on desktop, Direct3D, and OpenGL apps. HDR will make images look more life-like. AMD claims that 1080p HDR content will look better than 4K SDR (standard dynamic range) content. AMD will also work with game developers to get HDR content on upcoming games.



HDR adds data load to existing display interfaces, and so with the next generation Radeon GPUs, AMD is looking to implement DisplayPort 1.3 HBR3, a display interconnect with a raw bandwidth of 32.4 Gb/s, 80% higher than HDMI 2.0, which will enable 5K (5120 x 2880 pixels) at 60 Hz, over a single connector at SDR; 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 120 Hz SDR or 60 Hz HDR, 3K (3440 x 1440 pixels) at 190 Hz with SDR and 144 Hz HDR; WQHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) at 240 Hz SDR and 170 Hz HDR; and FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 240 Hz on both HDR and SDR.



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[ZoneDymo]

so close yet so far

 

[RejZoR]

I see just one (massive gamechanging) problem. Lack of HDR screens. Hell, is there even any in existence? Which means it'll take ages before people adopt them, they'll most likely be ridiculously expensive and for those of us who demand high speed 144Hz, they'll be nowhere to be found for years. Just look how bloody long it took for IPS to reach 120Hz and more and we are talking about ridiculously expensive high end screens. Majority of consumers are still stuck at crappy 60Hz.

I love the idea and someone has to start somewhere, but unless they make really good deals and aggresively push the tech, it'll take at least 5 years for anything to start moving anywhere.

 

[buggalugs]

Holy crap I must be getting old. I remember when HDR was the next big thing.....back in 2004.

 

[Estaric]

I see just one (massive gamechanging) problem. Lack of HDR screens. Hell, is there even any in existence? Which means it'll take ages before people adopt them, they'll most likely be ridiculously expensive and for those of us who demand high speed 144Hz, they'll be nowhere to be found for years. Just look how bloody long it took for IPS to reach 120Hz and more and we are talking about ridiculously expensive high end screens. Majority of consumers are still stuck at crappy 60Hz.

I love the idea and someone has to start somewhere, but unless they make really good deals and aggresively push the tech, it'll take at least 5 years for anything to start moving anywhere.

You make a very good point, still its good that its starting earlier rather than later so we can get the actual benefits sooner. One other point is wouldnt this be for more high end cards and make the cards that much more expensive?

@Eroticus not everyone has the money to get crazy good cards and not to mention the 780 is a fine card.

 

[medi01]

I see just one (massive gamechanging) problem. Lack of HDR screens. Hell, is there even any in existence?

A bunch of TVs, just search for HDR TV on amazon. (hello HDMI)

Only "prof" space HDR monitors are available.

 

[Octavean]

I think what bothers me about this is the emphasis AMD is making on HDMI when their latest generation of video cards didn't even have HDMI 2.0 support (which IMO they should have had).

Naturally there were many people defending this omission in forums stating they would never use HDMI anyway. This then suggests that AMD is banking on technology that many people don't want and would never use even if they could.

 

[RejZoR]

A bunch of TVs, just search for HDR TV on amazon. (hello HDMI)

Only "prof" space HDR monitors are available.

Bunch of TV's? What "bunch"? No major global market player has them in large numbers. Just special uber expensive editions. When we were at Philips tech conference the HDR TV's were planed for 2016 range. None of the current models is HDR capable. Plus, this will mean only highest end will most likely support it. That's probably 1500€ and upwards. Not exactly something people will buy in large quantities.

 

[GhostRyder]

I think what bothers me about this is the emphasis AMD is making on HDMI when their latest generation of video cards didn't even have HDMI 2.0 support (which IMO they should have had).

Naturally there were many people defending this omission in forums stating they would never use HDMI anyway. This then suggests that AMD is banking on technology that many people don't want and would never use even if they could.

Its because HDMI 2.0 only major reason is 4k at 60hz that comes at a cost compared to DP 1.2a. To add to it anyways now there are confirmed DP to HDMI 2.0 dongles available so it no longer matters. The inclusion of HDMI Freesync is at least a nice gesture but probably pointless as all the Freesync displays available currently have the DP at least in my book.

I see one major thing on this tha actually peaks my interest. Freesync support on notebooks which would be fantastic as I think G-Sync notebooks is a very cool thing so now we will have competition in that area. Though we need more notebook GPU's before that...

 

[PP Mguire]

The only thing that peeks my interest is DP1.3. 4k @ 120hz? Yes please. Can't be bothered by the HDR.

 

[librin.so.1]

I hate HDMI and would love to see it crash&burn.
DP is The Future™.

 

[The N]

well, HDR will be great improvement if they really are working on it. and not limited marketing strategy

 

[Xzibit]

I think what bothers me about this is the emphasis AMD is making on HDMI when their latest generation of video cards didn't even have HDMI 2.0 support (which IMO they should have had).

Naturally there were many people defending this omission in forums stating they would never use HDMI anyway. This then suggests that AMD is banking on technology that many people don't want and would never use even if they could.

HDMI 2.0 didn't last long. HDR is only available on HDMI 2.0a. Since its source & device dependent it wouldn't matter. US/Hollywood and Euro/Jap were already maxing out what HDMI 2.0 could provide. The Japanese were setting their standards of 12-B if they add HDR bandwidth requirements go up to 14/16-B which HDMI 2.0 wouldn't handle @60hz needs to drop to 30hz. AMD is quoting conservative numbers. Not to mention UHD Blu-Ray were looked at just a resolution increase and no real benefit since the majority of the 4k TVs being sold were only 8-bit capable, Not even meeting 4K content requirements.

 

[medi01]

Bunch of TV's? What "bunch"? No major global market player has them in large numbers.

Not sure what "large numbers" are, but these look like models from pretty major players to me:

Sony XBR55X850C
Sony XBR75X910C
Sony XBR65X930C
Samsung UN60JS7000
Samsung UN65JS8500
LG Electronics 55EF9500

 

[nem]

ahahaha 10bit of color nice

meanwhile the nvidia pascal slides :/ .
- 10x performance
- 16Gb hbm..
- blablabla...

 

[eidairaman1]

Its because HDMI 2.0 only major reason is 4k at 60hz that comes at a cost compared to DP 1.2a. To add to it anyways now there are confirmed DP to HDMI 2.0 dongles available so it no longer matters. The inclusion of HDMI Freesync is at least a nice gesture but probably pointless as all the Freesync displays available currently have the DP at least in my book.

I see one major thing on this tha actually peaks my interest. Freesync support on notebooks which would be fantastic as I think G-Sync notebooks is a very cool thing so now we will have competition in that area. Though we need more notebook GPU's before that...

I like Displayport. No worry of foreign voltage like there was on HDMI