3 minute read
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
David Meyer, Technical Research Consultant, CEDIA, looks at the key points and opportunities presented by enhanced gaming experiences.
It’s not an understatement to say that gaming is HUGE. It occupies an increasing amount of time allocation – or rather, where did that time go for countless millions of people around the world? Whether it be a gaming console or gaming PC, many are connected to AV systems to maximise the immersive experience. VR is also making great strides and gaining popularity, creating the need for room adaptability and clear space for mobility. Either way, it’s extremely relevant for technology integrators, and an important consideration in AV system design.
When visiting prospective clients, keep an eye out for gaming consoles, or a Playstation or Xbox controller casually sitting on a coffee table. The question of gaming should be high on the list during client interviews. And if you thought gaming is mostly for kids and teens, the Entertainment Software Association in the U.S. found that adult women represent a greater portion of the video game-playing population than boys under 18¹! It’s fair to say, as always, don’t assume.
Gaming generally represents the highest video performance demands of any media source. 4K gaming is maturing, and 8K gaming is emerging, both with ray tracing (in-scene light paths) and HDR. However, the frame/refresh rate is far more important to gamers than resolution, for fast action and response times. All other things being equal, 4K at 120fps runs at the same bandwidth as 8K at 30fps, so 4K— or even 1080p— is currently superior for gaming. Regardless of resolution, the complexity of scenes varies constantly, as does the corresponding time it takes for a graphics processing unit (GPU) to generate and output each frame on-the-fly. As such, the best systems support variable refresh rate (VRR).
The devices and HDMI connectivity in an AV system need to be able to keep up. So, how do you, (the integrator), ensure that? When it comes to system design, three top considerations are latency, bandwidth and VRR.
LATENCY
To a gamer, latency can mean the difference between virtual life and death! Latency comes in two forms:
• The internet connection and online/server game play. For best performance, ALWAYS use a wired Ethernet connection to a gaming console or PC, as Wi-Fi typically exhibits 3-4 times the latency. • Lag from the gaming machine to the display.
Avoid any HDMI connectivity that adds latency, such as AV-over-IP with compression.
Also, a user selectable ‘game mode’ on many displays can minimise input processing and its corresponding delay. Auto Low Latency
Mode (ALLM), new with HDMI 2.1, can automate switching to this mode, but all devices in the chain must be compatible to pass the signal.
BANDWIDTH
The key to enabling very high frame rates, particularly in combination with UHD resolutions, is HDMI bandwidth. The more, the better. For maximum headroom, specify HDMI devices and cables from end-to-end that can ideally support 48Gbps, but 40Gbps is okay too. And don’t forget any little black box peripherals inbetween, as they too need to be compatible.
VRR
Variable refresh rate (VRR) is one of the new features of the HDMI 2.1 specification, allowing the frame/refresh rate to change dynamically from one frame to the next to match the GPU’s output, across a vast range such as 30-120Hz. Again, all devices and connectivity from source to sink must be able to support it. Of the abovementioned features, only ALLM could potentially be enabled with a manufacturer firmware update; the rest require compatible hardware. Education is key, so work with your supplier partners to establish needs and compatibility. And if you haven’t already, check out the HDMI self-paced online learning pathway available now on the CEDIA Academy.
¹Source: 2018 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data Essential Facts
