One of the key advantages of HDMI is its ability to transmit uncompressed digital signals. This means that the audio and video data remains in its original form, ensuring optimal fidelity and clarity. Unlike analog connections, HDMI eliminates the need for conversion or lossy compression, resulting in superior audiovisual output. Keep in mind there's no such thing as HDMI cable "versions." As in, there's no such thing as an "HDMI 2.0" cable. The version numbers refer to the physical connections in your TV, receiver or sound bar. So your TV and 4K Blu-ray player need to both have HDMI 2.0 to watch HDR content, but the cable connecting them couldn't care less. It's just a dumb pipe. HDMI 2.1 has 48Gbps carry capacity, compared to just 18Gbps for HDMI 2.0. Now, the 18Gbps of HDMI 2.0 assumes video delivery with HDR, 4:4:4 chroma, and 10-bit color coding. At a resolution of 3840 x 2160, that would fill up the entire bandwidth with a maximum framerate of 60Hz, and often 4:4:4 won’t be possible, only 4:2:2. However, if we can force 8-bit color coding (16.7 million colors), no HDR, and 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, then 4K 120Hz actually turns out to “cost” about 16Gbps, which is technically possible on HDMI 2.0. This really is the mainstay of the audiovisual community. Increased Patch cords can handle any system or material up to 4K resolutions at 30 frames per second.

HDMI 2.1 also introduces support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which enables the display to adjust its refresh rate dynamically to match the output of a gaming console or computer graphics card. This technology eliminates screen tearing and provides a seamless and immersive gaming experience. Ultimately, the choice between active and passive HDMI cables depends on your specific needs and the unique characteristics of your audiovisual setup. Assessing the distance, potential signal degradation, and overall requirements will help you make an informed decision to ensure optimal performance and a seamless audiovisual experience. You can think of bandwidth like a pipe. You need to be able to get a lot of "water" through the pipe with 4K and HDR content. A high speed cable needs to be "big" enough to handle it all. Colour can also be affected, as Category 1 and Category 2 cables haven’t got the bandwidth to convey the enhanced 10-bit colour depths, or Deep Colour, output by 4K Blu-ray players and 4K HDR consoles, let alone the 12-bit colour depth used by some Dolby Vision screens and 4K Blu-ray players.HDMI 2.1: The latest standard, HDMI 2.1, brought a host of advanced features and capabilities. With a massive bandwidth of 48Gbps, HDMI 2.1 supports 4K resolution at a blazing fast 120Hz refresh rate. This means smoother motion, reduced blur, and an overall enhanced viewing experience. HDMI 2.1 also introduced Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output of the graphics card, minimizing screen tearing during gaming. Another notable feature is eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), delivering high-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos over a single HDMI cable. The frequency of a Hdmi is calculated in mbps (Gbps); don’t panic, you won’t have to recite any figures. HDMI, the organization that provides the standards for all HDMI devices and HDMI cables, divides Dc link speed into 4 segments to put things easy: HDMI specifications You'll need a 120Hz HDMI cable designed for this kind of resolution in mind. HDMI 2.1 is the first generation in many to require a new physical cable to handle the sheer bandwidth demands of a combined ultra-high resolution and refresh rate. Cable Matters offers a wide selection that will more than meet those needs. While it may be tempting to opt for lower-cost HDMI cables, it’s crucial to consider the bandwidth they offer. Investing in an HDMI cable with sufficient bandwidth, such as an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable certified for HDMI 2.1, will future-proof your setup and provide the best possible audiovisual experience.

When purchasing Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables, it’s essential to look for the appropriate certification. The HDMI Forum, the governing body for HDMI standards, offers a certification program for cables to ensure their compliance with HDMI 2.1 specifications. Look for cables that display the official Ultra High-Speed HDMI Certification Label, indicating that they have been thoroughly tested and meet the stringent requirements for bandwidth and other features. For an HDMI 4K 120Hz connection, this most recent generation of the unified cable offers bandwidth in excess of just about anything that has come before. That enables it to not only support 120Hz at 4K, but up to 144Hz, and even 240Hz if you leverage Display Stream Compression (DSC). Even 8K resolution at 60Hz isn't outside the realm of possibility with such compression, either. Standard HDMI cables are made of copper and have limited ranges and speeds, which you can learn about below in the section: Max HDMI Cable Length . HDMI cables aren’t particularly fancy, and they don’t take much configuration, but anybody who has worked with TVs, A/V routers, or sound systems understands that handy they could be. And viewing a clip on your TV is difficult after that. With a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, it supports high-resolution formats like 8K at 60 Hz, 4K at 120 Hz, and uncompressed video resolutions, all while delivering stunning Dynamic HDR and 3D visuals.Fortunately, HDMI arrived and merged all of these sound – visual signaling pathways into a single HD cable.