There’s been a lot of talk lately about TVs advertising HDMI 2.1 support and 120Hz refresh rates, especially on budget models. On the surface, it all sounds like good news. But what if I told you that most of those claims are either misleading or downright false? So let’s look at The Problem With HDMI 2.1 on Modern TVs and Who’s to Blame.
If you’ve bought a budget TV recently—especially from TCL or Hisense—there’s a good chance you have already been misled. That’s the truth behind the problem with HDMI 2.1 on modern TVs, and today, we’re going to unpack what’s really going on… and who’s responsible for this mess.
📺 What’s Going On?
Let’s take a popular example: the TCL C655. This TV proudly claims to support HDMI 2.1 ports and 120Hz refresh rates. The reality however is very different.
Every TCL C655 model under 98″ uses a 60Hz panel.
That’s right. 60Hz, not 120Hz. So where’s the “support for 120Hz” coming from? The answer lies in a sneaky trick called DLG (Dual Line Gate) which we’ll talk about shortly.
But first, let’s talk about where this problem really started.
🧷 HDMI Licensing Made It Worse
A few years ago, the HDMI Licensing Administrator decided to quietly roll HDMI 2.0 features into the HDMI 2.1 spec. So now:
Any port that used to be HDMI 2.0 can now be labeled as HDMI 2.1—even if it doesn’t support core HDMI 2.1 features like 4K at 120Hz, VRR, or ALLM.
This change has resulted in a lot of confusion. You’ll see a TV with “HDMI 2.1” on the box, but when you plug in your PS5 or gaming PC, you’re still locked to 4K at 60Hz. That’s not HDMI 2.1 functionality but marketing trickery.
So yes, part of the problem with HDMI 2.1 on modern TVs is due to poor regulation and vague labeling by the HDMI standards body. That however is only half the story.
🔎 DLG: The 120Hz Illusion
This is where things get really shady. TV makers like TCL have been using a technique called DLG (Dual Line Gate) to simulate higher refresh rates on 60Hz panels.
Here’s what DLG actually does:
- It cuts the resolution in half, both horizontally and vertically.
- It inserts frames using timing tricks to make it appear smoother—like interlaced video.
- It can simulate 120Hz motion at 4K, but it’s not true 120Hz.
That’s why, when you plug in your PS5 or Xbox, the TV’s menu may say “120Hz supported”, but the console would disagree. This is because DLG is a software illusion, and not a hardware capability.
😤 Why This Matters
For most casual buyers, the box says HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz, so they expect 4K 120Hz. Simple. But in reality:
- You’re getting HDMI 2.0-level performance.
- Your console thinks it’s connected to a 120Hz screen, but the TV is faking it using DLG.
- HDR10+ might be advertised, but Sony consoles (PS5) don’t even support HDR10+, so it’s useless for you.
And that’s not even the worst part—regional variations make it worse. Some TCL models in Europe and Asia have different specs, and many don’t even mention DLG at all on their official pages. That’s deception by omission.
🎯 Who’s Really to Blame?
Let’s break it down.
1. HDMI.org / Licensing Body
- They allowed HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 to be merged.
- Now any port that does 4K60 can be called HDMI 2.1, even if it lacks bandwidth or features.
2. TCL (and others like Hisense)
- They actively mislead consumers by advertising HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz without clearly stating the limitations.
- DLG is not mentioned on many regional sites.
- TV menu settings report false capabilities, which misleads even consoles into thinking real 120Hz is supported.
3. Consumers
- Unfortunately, most buyers don’t check the deep specs. They rely on the box and flashy marketing.
- But let’s be honest—should we really have to decode fine print and hunt Reddit threads to know what we’re buying?
⚠️ The Bigger Picture
It’s not just about TCL. This issue affects many budget TVs across brands. But TCL is currently the worst offender, and it’s getting worse. There are real consequences:
- Gamers expecting real 120Hz are disappointed.
- Features like VRR and ALLM may be listed but don’t actually work.
- Online reviews contradict each other due to global spec variations.
In fact, this might be the kind of thing that deserves consumer protection action or even a class action lawsuit.
✅ Final Thoughts: Know Before You Buy
The problem with HDMI 2.1 on modern TVs is that it doesn’t mean what it used to. The label is no longer a guarantee—it’s a vague suggestion.
So here’s what you should do:
- Always check the native panel refresh rate (60Hz or 120Hz).
- Confirm if 4K at 120Hz is supported natively, not via DLG or interpolation.
- Use trusted sources like Rtings, HDTVTest, or professional reviewers—not just the manufacturer website.
- If gaming is your priority, look for real specs—not flashy words.
Until manufacturers are held accountable, and the HDMI Licensing Body cleans up its mess, we have to be our own watchdogs.
Because right now? Your TV might be lying to you.
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