Denon and Marantz Offer Adapter to Solve HDMI 2.1 Problems in Their Receivers

Last fall, after the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, it turned out that the Denon and Marantz receivers released the day before had problems with the transmission of 8K and 4K120 signals from new consoles, while the presence of HDMI v2.1 and support for new video standards were presented by these manufacturers as the main advantages of the new models.

Later it was announced that the problem would be solved with a software update, but no new firmware was released. Instead, it was proposed to connect the set-top boxes directly to the TV, and output the sound to the receiver through eARC, which did not suit everyone, because TVs often do not pass all sound formats through eARC.

Finally, the companies announced that there was a “solution” to the problem. This is an HDMI adapter SPK618, which is connected with two cables in the gap between the set-top box and the receiver. It will be sent free of charge during the warranty period of the receivers when filling out the corresponding application on the site. But not all over the world, but so far only in some countries, which, for example, include Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

What the adapter does with the signal, of course, is not said, however, it is obvious that it can either coarse the video signal itself, or force the set-top box itself to do this using EDID, transmitting 8K video to the receiver only with 4: 2: 0 parameters and 8- bit form that receivers are able to perceive. HDR video, of course, will not be transmitted.