In a previous blog post I explained the annoying problem with the PSVR and a 4k display. In summary:
The PS4 Pro has an HDMI 2.0 output, which allows it to output to a HDMI 2.0 capable 4k display using a 3840x2160 resolution in RGB mode at 60 Hz. (HDMI 2.0 is also necessary if the 4k display supports HDR.) The PSVR processing unit box, which sits between the PS4 and the display, however, only supports HDMI 1.4. This means that if the PSVR is in use, the console can only use the display in YUV420 mode, which has reduced image quality (less vibrant colors, color artifacts), and without HDR. This is because HDMI 1.4 does not have enough bandwidth for RGB at 60 Hz.
That blog post explains how it's a real pain in the ass to switch between using PSVR and using a direct connection between the PS4 Pro and the 4k display (for improved image quality), as it requires physically switching cables on both ends.
It also explains that a simple HDMI switcher is not enough to deal with that problem. For one, HDMI 2.0 switchers are still a rarity. Secondly, in order to manage that mess, the switcher would also need to be a splitter, taking multiple inputs and supporting multiple outputs.
The closest thing that I have found is the KanaaN 4K 6x2 HDMI Matrix Switch Splitter. At first glance it seems absolutely ideal to deal with this problem: It supports six inputs, and two outputs, and can be configured to have any input be redirected to any of the two outputs. (It's not 100% clear from the page, nor the user manual, whether it supports redirecting one input to one of the outputs, and another input to the second output at the same time, but to my best understanding this seems to indeed be so.)
This could be used to solve the problem: Connect one switcher output to the PSVR processing unit input, and another switcher output to the 4k display. Connect the outputs of the PS4 and the processing unit to two inputs of the switcher (as well as whatever other HDMI devices you may have). Now you can choose whether the PS4 signal is redirected directly to the display, or to the processing unit (in which case you would also choose to redirect the output of the processing unit to the display).
Perfect, right? Except for one slight problem: The switcher only supports HDMI 1.4. Thus it's essentially useless to solve the core problem (which is that the PSVR processing unit uses HDMI 1.4).
I have actually not found any such switcher/splitter that would support HDMI 2.0. There are some pure switchers that support it, as well as some pure splitters, but nothing I can find that's both. That 6x2 switcher/splitter would be absolutely ideal, if it just supported HDMI 2.0.
Even the sole switchers and splitters are still a rarity. For example, check this "The Best HDMI Switchers of 2017" article at toptenreviews.com. These are the best reviewed HDMI switchers of this year. Look at the "HDMI version" line in the compatibility table: It's all full of 1.3's, with one 1.4 thrown in. Not a single 2.0.
And that's not a list of 5 years ago. That's a list for 2017. HDMI 1.3 doesn't even support 4k resolutions at all, no matter what the refresh rate.
Another thing I have noticed while browsing HDMI switchers and splitters in online stores is that you have to be really careful and make absolutely sure that they explicitly have HDMI 2.0 support. It's not enough for the manufacturer to advertise "4k UHD 2160p 60Hz support". HDMI 1.4 supports that (just not in RGB mode, but only in YUV420 mode), and I have noticed that manufacturers like to boast about that support, and bury or hide the actual HDMI version number (sometimes even completely).
From what I have seen, it's pretty safe to assume that if the manufacturer visibly boasts "4k support" but doesn't outright announce the HDMI version, it's 1.4.
The PS4 Pro has an HDMI 2.0 output, which allows it to output to a HDMI 2.0 capable 4k display using a 3840x2160 resolution in RGB mode at 60 Hz. (HDMI 2.0 is also necessary if the 4k display supports HDR.) The PSVR processing unit box, which sits between the PS4 and the display, however, only supports HDMI 1.4. This means that if the PSVR is in use, the console can only use the display in YUV420 mode, which has reduced image quality (less vibrant colors, color artifacts), and without HDR. This is because HDMI 1.4 does not have enough bandwidth for RGB at 60 Hz.That blog post explains how it's a real pain in the ass to switch between using PSVR and using a direct connection between the PS4 Pro and the 4k display (for improved image quality), as it requires physically switching cables on both ends.
It also explains that a simple HDMI switcher is not enough to deal with that problem. For one, HDMI 2.0 switchers are still a rarity. Secondly, in order to manage that mess, the switcher would also need to be a splitter, taking multiple inputs and supporting multiple outputs.
The closest thing that I have found is the KanaaN 4K 6x2 HDMI Matrix Switch Splitter. At first glance it seems absolutely ideal to deal with this problem: It supports six inputs, and two outputs, and can be configured to have any input be redirected to any of the two outputs. (It's not 100% clear from the page, nor the user manual, whether it supports redirecting one input to one of the outputs, and another input to the second output at the same time, but to my best understanding this seems to indeed be so.)This could be used to solve the problem: Connect one switcher output to the PSVR processing unit input, and another switcher output to the 4k display. Connect the outputs of the PS4 and the processing unit to two inputs of the switcher (as well as whatever other HDMI devices you may have). Now you can choose whether the PS4 signal is redirected directly to the display, or to the processing unit (in which case you would also choose to redirect the output of the processing unit to the display).
Perfect, right? Except for one slight problem: The switcher only supports HDMI 1.4. Thus it's essentially useless to solve the core problem (which is that the PSVR processing unit uses HDMI 1.4).
I have actually not found any such switcher/splitter that would support HDMI 2.0. There are some pure switchers that support it, as well as some pure splitters, but nothing I can find that's both. That 6x2 switcher/splitter would be absolutely ideal, if it just supported HDMI 2.0.
Even the sole switchers and splitters are still a rarity. For example, check this "The Best HDMI Switchers of 2017" article at toptenreviews.com. These are the best reviewed HDMI switchers of this year. Look at the "HDMI version" line in the compatibility table: It's all full of 1.3's, with one 1.4 thrown in. Not a single 2.0.
And that's not a list of 5 years ago. That's a list for 2017. HDMI 1.3 doesn't even support 4k resolutions at all, no matter what the refresh rate.
Another thing I have noticed while browsing HDMI switchers and splitters in online stores is that you have to be really careful and make absolutely sure that they explicitly have HDMI 2.0 support. It's not enough for the manufacturer to advertise "4k UHD 2160p 60Hz support". HDMI 1.4 supports that (just not in RGB mode, but only in YUV420 mode), and I have noticed that manufacturers like to boast about that support, and bury or hide the actual HDMI version number (sometimes even completely).
From what I have seen, it's pretty safe to assume that if the manufacturer visibly boasts "4k support" but doesn't outright announce the HDMI version, it's 1.4.
Hey. Looking for a 60hz matrix right now. Only one I’ve found is a Lindy one on amazon. Retail around £160. Just about to order it as I’ve had 2 others and can’t activate 4K setting on either sky q or par pro. Oh well. Third time lucky.
ReplyDelete