How to Choose the Best HDMI Cables
5/9/2024 9:40:20 AM GMTNot all HDMI cables are created equal, but you don't need to overpay.
A Guide to HDMI Cables.
Do HDMI Cables support Different Data Speeds?
HDMI cables fall into three categories: Standard Speed, High Speed, & Ultra High Speed as shown in the table below:
| Speed | Bandwidth | Resolutions, refresh rates, & HDR formats supported |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 10.2 Gbps |
|
| High | 18 Gbps |
|
| Ultra High | 48 Gbps |
|
Are there Different Versions of HDMI?
Since 2009 there have been five HDMI versions, each adding important features to enhance the interoperability of components (TVs, Soundbars, etc.):
- HDMI 1.4 (2009): added ARC for sending audio between components
& support for 4K video @ up to 30Hz - HDMI 2.0 (2013): added 4K video @ up to 60Hz
- HDMI 2.0a (2015): added HDR (high-dynamic range) video
- HDMI 2.0b (2016): added HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR video format
- HDMI 2.1 (2017): added 8K at 60Hz, 4K at 120Hz, & eARC for improved Dolby audio
Do I need to know the HDMI Version of my components?
All 4K HDMI cable versions are backward compatible and you typically only need to replace existing cables if you are adding new audio/video components that require HDMI cables with higher speed ratings. The good news is that you won't have to spend time trying to match features from different A/V components with different HDMI versions, because the price differences between the different HDMI cord versions are so small that it makes sense to only buy the 48 Gbps Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cables.