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Eve shows off HDMI 2.1 working on Spectrum monitor in new video, gives update on Spectrum testing and development

Eve claims that its Spectrum gaming monitor now supports HDMI 2.1. (Image via Eve)
Eve claims that its Spectrum gaming monitor now supports HDMI 2.1. (Image via Eve)
In a new video posted earlier today, Eve claims that HDMI 2.1 on its Spectrum gaming monitor is now working. The video shows Spectrum connected to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 via an HDMI cable and running at 3840x2160 at 144 Hz, which is only possible on HDMI 2.1. The video noticeably does not show content or gaming at this resolution on Spectrum, and it should be noted that the video is limited to 1920x1080 at 30 Hz, making verification impossible. While many are skeptical of this achievement, it may be that Spectrum now supports HDMI 2.1.

The Eve Spectrum monitor has been under a microscope since its announcement. Whether due to Eve’s troubled history with product fulfillment or repeated delays in Spectrum’s release date, the company has been under near-constant criticism for failing to live up to its own hype. However, some of those criticisms may be waylaid thanks to a new video of Spectrum.

The video shows that Eve has finally worked out the kinks with the HDMI 2.1 connection on Spectrum, allowing the monitor to display 4K resolutions at 144 Hz over HDMI. Many will recall from our hands-on and other reports that Eve had not enabled HDMI 2.1 on prototypes sent to community testers and reviewers at the beginning of the year. Instead, users had to resort to HDMI 2.0b (limiting the monitor to 4K at 120 Hz) or DisplayPort 1.4 to push the monitor to its limits.

The video, which was posted to YouTube, shows the monitor connected to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 via HDMI 2.1 and is running at 3840x2160 at 144 Hz, as confirmed by Windows’ display settings, the display adapter properties, and the Nvidia Control Panel.

The video shows little else and noticeably lacks any content or gaming running on the monitor. The video is also limited to 1920 x 1080 at 30 Hz, so we could not independently confirm that the monitor is indeed running at 4K 144 Hz. However, we have reached out to Eve directly and received confirmation on their end that Spectrum can now utilize HDMI 2.1.

Eve was quick to point out that other companies working on HDMI 2.1-enabled gaming monitors (namely LG and Asus) have also delayed their products. As such, Eve is still hopeful they will get Spectrum out by the company’s current July 9 shipping date.

Eve also posted another video updating viewers on the current state of Spectrum’s product testing. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, some product managers have been unable to directly observe product development, which occurs in mainland China. However, the lead product manager for Spectrum has worked remotely with quality assurance employees in China to test firmware versions and work out kinks. You can view that video below.

What do you think of Eve’s update on the Spectrum gaming monitor? Let us know in the comments below.

Buy an HDMI 2.1-compatible cable at Amazon.

Nvidia Control Panel showing Spectrum running at 4K 144 Hz.
Nvidia Control Panel showing Spectrum running at 4K 144 Hz.
A screenshot from the video of Eve's Spectrum monitor running at 4K 144 Hz. (Image via Eve Devices)
A screenshot from the video of Eve's Spectrum monitor running at 4K 144 Hz. (Image via Eve Devices)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 04 > Eve shows off HDMI 2.1 working on Spectrum monitor in new video, gives update on Spectrum testing and development
Sam Medley, 2021-04-22 (Update: 2021-04-22)