HDMI 2.1 uses the same Type-A connector as HDMI 2.0 but replaces TMDS with FRL (Fixed Rate Link) to achieve 48Gbps bandwidth, supporting 8K/60Hz, 4K/144Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), quick frame transport (QFT), and eARC.
| Pin | Name | Function | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TMDS/FRL Data2+ | FRL data lane 2 positive | BUS |
| 2 | TMDS/FRL Shield2 | Shield | GND |
| 3 | TMDS/FRL Data2- | FRL data lane 2 negative | BUS |
| 4 | TMDS/FRL Data1+ | FRL data lane 1 positive | BUS |
| 5 | TMDS/FRL Shield1 | Shield | GND |
| 6 | TMDS/FRL Data1- | FRL data lane 1 negative | BUS |
| 7 | TMDS/FRL Data0+ | FRL data lane 0 positive | BUS |
| 8 | TMDS/FRL Shield0 | Shield | GND |
| 9 | TMDS/FRL Data0- | FRL data lane 0 negative | BUS |
| 10 | TMDS/FRL CLK+ | FRL clock / lane 3 positive | BUS |
| 11 | TMDS/FRL CLK Shield | Shield | GND |
| 12 | TMDS/FRL CLK- | FRL clock / lane 3 negative | BUS |
| 13 | CEC | Consumer Electronics Control | BUS |
| 14 | FRL / Reserved | FRL lane 4 or reserved | BUS |
| 15 | SCL | DDC I2C clock | BUS |
| 16 | SDA | DDC I2C data | BUS |
| 17 | DDC/CEC GND | Ground | GND |
| 18 | +5V | 5V 55mA power | PWR |
| 19 | Hot Plug Detect | Hot plug detect | I/O |