Another Radeon Technologies Group push
While AMD FreeSync was limited to DisplayPort monitors, AMD wants to broaden the implementation of FreeSync and has announced FreeSync over HDMI, which should be available in Q1 2016.
Showcased during AMD's dedicated press event, FreeSync over HDMI uses a custom version of HDMI 1.4a output and a Realtek timing controller (TCON). The FreeSync over HDMI (FS-HDMI) does not have a variable refresh rate technology standard as the FreeSync over DisplayPort (FS-DP) as it takes time for such standard to be included with HDMI specification.
As noted by AMD, while standardized variable refresh rate will be included with future HDMI specification, AMD simply could not wait and will use vendor-specific extensions.
While it might not be available to Nvidia as it is controlled directly by Radeon Technologies Group, AMD did announce plenty of partners, including Acer, LG, Mstar, Novatek, Realtek and Samsung. While AMD did not specifically talk about GPU compatibility, all things considered, it is possible that FreeSync over HDMI wil be supported by GCN 1.1 and newer GPUs, or Radeon 300 series graphics cards and newer.
AMD says that lack of DisplayPort capable monitors is the main reason why the company is pushing FreeSync over HDMI. According to AMD, only about 30 percent of all monitors sold include a DisplayPort output, while majority is limited to HDMI or HDMI and DVI outputs. According to AMD, implementing FreeSync over HDMI is quite cheap, which should give AMD an edge when it comes to variable refresh rate technology by pushing it to HDMI.
Currently, AMD released a list of eight different monitor models in a couple of sizes that will be released shortly and have support for FreeSync over HDMI. Suprisingly, it does not include a single 4K/UHD monitor which suggest that FreeSync over HDMI will be limited to lower resolution monitors.
Pushing FreeSync over HDMI will definitely bring FreeSync to the masses, which is definitely a great thing considering that it was limited to those with deeper pocket willing to pay a hefty sum for a high-end monitor with DisplayPort output.
Source: Anandtech.com.
Showcased during AMD's dedicated press event, FreeSync over HDMI uses a custom version of HDMI 1.4a output and a Realtek timing controller (TCON). The FreeSync over HDMI (FS-HDMI) does not have a variable refresh rate technology standard as the FreeSync over DisplayPort (FS-DP) as it takes time for such standard to be included with HDMI specification.
As noted by AMD, while standardized variable refresh rate will be included with future HDMI specification, AMD simply could not wait and will use vendor-specific extensions.
While it might not be available to Nvidia as it is controlled directly by Radeon Technologies Group, AMD did announce plenty of partners, including Acer, LG, Mstar, Novatek, Realtek and Samsung. While AMD did not specifically talk about GPU compatibility, all things considered, it is possible that FreeSync over HDMI wil be supported by GCN 1.1 and newer GPUs, or Radeon 300 series graphics cards and newer.
AMD says that lack of DisplayPort capable monitors is the main reason why the company is pushing FreeSync over HDMI. According to AMD, only about 30 percent of all monitors sold include a DisplayPort output, while majority is limited to HDMI or HDMI and DVI outputs. According to AMD, implementing FreeSync over HDMI is quite cheap, which should give AMD an edge when it comes to variable refresh rate technology by pushing it to HDMI.
Currently, AMD released a list of eight different monitor models in a couple of sizes that will be released shortly and have support for FreeSync over HDMI. Suprisingly, it does not include a single 4K/UHD monitor which suggest that FreeSync over HDMI will be limited to lower resolution monitors.
Pushing FreeSync over HDMI will definitely bring FreeSync to the masses, which is definitely a great thing considering that it was limited to those with deeper pocket willing to pay a hefty sum for a high-end monitor with DisplayPort output.
Source: Anandtech.com.
News by Luca Rocchi and Marc Büchel - German Translation by Paul Görnhardt - Italian Translation by Francesco Daghini
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