Denon & Marantz Solve HDMI 2.1 Bug With SPK618
With the release in 2020 of Denon’s and Marantz’s next generation of HDMI 2.1 receivers came a number of unexpected headaches. It turned out that they did not support the promised pass through of 8K signals or 4K/120Hz graphics from the new Xbox Series X gaming consoles.
Both companies, owned by Sound United, promised their customers that they would provide a solution. Originally it was hoped that the solution might be just a firmware upgrade, but not so, and providing internal board hardware upgrades would clearly have become a customer service nightmare. With the release of the SPK618 external HDMI adapter that hardware (and firmware) solution is now at-hand.
The SPK618 sits between the Series X console and the HDMI 2.1 port of the affected AV Receivers, converting the signal from the console into something that the AVRs can pass through to compatible TVs and projectors. Click here for the Instruction Manual.
Image Credit: Denon
In order to receive the free of charge SPK618 all you need to do is register your interest in the product before your AVR’s warranty expires. Registration will open up on May 15th, 2021 with shipping starting by the end of that month.
Remember that this adapter is ONLY required if you use an Xbox Series X console together with a display capable of handling 4K/120Hz and 8K video resolutions.
The Sound United models affected by the HDMI 2.1 bug are listed below:
DENON:
- AVR-A110
- AVR-X6700H
- AVR-X4700H
- AVR-X3700H
- AVR-X2700H
- AVR-S960H
MARANTZ:
- AV7706
- SR8015
- SR7015
- SR6015
- SR5015
- NR1711
Starting on May 15th 2021, if you life in the US, UK, France, Germany and The Netherlands, anyone wanting to take advantage of the SPK618 upgrade will need to do the following:
- Go to www.denon.com/hdmiadapter for Denon, or www.marantz.com/hdmiadapter for Marantz.
- Fill out the form with the required information.
- Once you have received the SPK618, users will need to update their AVR’s firmware to complete the process.
If you live in any other countries you should contact your local dealer/distributor about receiving the adapter and then upgrade your AVR’s firmware as described above once the adapter is installed.
Although the upgrade process is quite straight forward Sound United has created the following video to assist those that might feel the process a little daunting:
While it would certainly have been better for all if this issue had not arisen, it is good to see that Sound United has stepped up to the plate, provided good customer service and support, and a free of charge, if a little “clunky”, work around.
