HDMI Cable is an important part for displaying visuals from video players, laptops, computers, smartphones to the monitor screen.
Until now HDMI Cable has developed into several versions:
- HDMI 1.0
- HDMI 1.2
- HDMI 1.3
- HDMI 1.4
- HDMI 2.0
- HDMI 2.1
What are the differences between the two versions of the HDMI cable and which one is the most appropriate for you to use. We will explain everything in this post.
Let’s get started!
What type of HDMI cable should I get? Recognize the variations between each standard, including HDMI 1.0 to HDMI 2.1.
The HDMI standard had to alter during the past 17 years in order to support new technologies like 3D, HDR, or 4K because video formats haven’t stopped evolving. There are numerous variants and identical wiring on all of them, which is enough to make any consumer’s head spin.
We created this post to explain the development of the standard, what features each version covers, and to give you a short guide to picking the best cable.
Related: Difference Between HDMI vs VGA
Be aware that some HDMI standards, including HDMI 1.3, have undergone modest updates over time (which has revisions a, b and c). They are typically made at the manufacturer’s request to add small adjustments or improvements, or to explain a specification’s unclear points. We won’t go into the specifics of this version because doing so would significantly lengthen this post.
Which HDMI cable should I buy?
Since the connectors have always been the same, all HDMI cables have the exact same appearance. However, there are several cable kinds that can be divided into groups based on the amount of bandwidth they can provide. More features can be offered and more data can be sent at a given bandwidth.
Category 1 or Standard cable is Buttered Bread. This is what you need if what you want to do is link a Blu-Ray player (such a Playstation 3) to a Full HD TV. Any HDMI cord you can find at the bottom of the drawer will work for you because the cable is backwards compatible.
You will want a speedier cable, often referred to as High Speed or Category 2, if you desire more sophisticated features, such as 3D. Though the name “HDMI 1.4 cables” is not technically accurate, it may be how people often refer to them (again, the standard has version , cable is not).
You’ll need a faster cable for capabilities like 4K and HDR, which were added to the standard in version 2.0. Premium High Speed is the name given to them. However, there is no way around the necessity for an Ultra High Speed cable, also known as Category 3 or 48G (reference width) 48 Gigabit per second, if you wish to use conventional HDMI 2.1 capabilities like higher resolutions (8K), Dolby Vision, or HDR+.
Key features supported by each HDMI version
Regular Cable (HDMI 1.4) High Speed Cable High-Speed Premium Cable (HDMI 2.0) “HDMI 2.1” Ultra High Speed Cable Full HD 3D, 4K and HDR, 8K and beyond, HDR+, and Dolby Vision for TV, Blu-ray, and video games
The cable has no impact on the image quality, that much should be evident. No matter the material, standard $20 cable won’t mysteriously produce a better image than standard $5 cable.
In an effort to increase their profits, manufacturers strive to make pilule with gold-plated, high-purity, or strengthened wires, although in actuality there is no difference. Watch the salesperson as she speaks.
HDMI 1.0
In an effort to complement the burgeoning high-definition TV technology, the Patriarch family was introduced in 2002. That includes support for 8 channels of PCM audio at 192kHz / 24-bit and resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels at 60 frames per second (FPS – Frames Per Second), sometimes known as 1080p. 4.9 Gigabits per second is the highest possible bandwidth.
This version also has the HDMI connector that is now in use, which makes it much simpler to connect the TV to audio and video devices. A component video connection with stereo sound, for instance, calls for five cables: two for the left and right sound channels and three for the video (Y, Pb, and Pr). Just one HDMI wire is used to replace everything else. In 2004, a brief review titled HDMI 1.1 was published. The DVD-Audio audio format, which never gained popularity, was introduced as support.
HDMI 1.2
This version, introduced in 2005 as a replacement for the DisplayPort standard, was developed exclusively for personal computers, standardizing connectors and electrical parameters. You may thank HDMI 1.2 if you routinely connect in your desktop or notebook TV. The CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) technology, which enables remote control of one HDMI device from another, is now supported in version 1.2a.
HDMI 1.3
Version 1.3, released in June 2006, primarily changed due to an increase in capacity from 4.9 to 10.2 Gigabits per second. Support for the new color space, which uses 10, 12, or 16 bits per channel as opposed to the original version’s 8 bits, is also included.
This version also introduced the Mini HDMI connector (sometimes known as HDMI Type C), which is used in smaller devices. Versions a, b, b1, and c of HDMI 1.3, the standard version with more customization, were announced in less than 2 years with no significant consumer-facing improvements.
HDMI 1.4
The standard underwent several substantial revisions with the release of version 1.4 in May 2009. The most significant feature from a consumer’s perspective is 3D video support, which supports 4K x 2K (3840 x 2160 pixels) resolutions at 24, 25, and 30 frames per second.
The same cables used for audio and video and Ethernet connections are supported by Standard 1.4, allowing network communication between two connected devices without the requirement of extra cables. The protocol also includes an audio return channel, which enables the TV to transmit sound to receivers without the need for extra wires.
The Micro HDMI port, which was later utilized in a number of smartphones, including the Motorola RAZR and the RAZR MAXX, first featured here as well. Who can remember?
HDMI 2.0
The bandwidth increased once again with the release of this version in September 2013, reaching 18 Gigabits per second—more than three times the bandwidth of the previous standard. This allows for the capability of 4K resolution at 50 or 60 frames per second, up to 32 audio channels, two video streams playing simultaneously, and video in the 21:9 aspect ratio. You can be confident that a 4K TV you purchase will at the very least support HDMI 2.0.
With the addition of HDR (High Dynamic Range) compatibility in version 2.0, scenes are now crisper and more realistic and have more detail, especially in very dark environments. HDR technology broadens the range of colors that may be used in photos. You won’t be able to see much in the dark while watching Game of Thrones season 8’s Battle of Winterfell if your TV doesn’t support HDR.
HDMI 2.1
The HDMI 2.1 version represents a further increase in bandwidth with a focus on the future. With support for resolutions like 4K, 5K, 8K, and 10K and frame rates of 50, 60, 100, or 120 frames per second, it is now feasible to transmit at speeds of up to 48 Gigabit/sec (Ultra High Speed).
Additionally, Dynamic HDR is supported, which allows the signal source to instruct the TV on how to optimize the picture frame by frame for the best image quality and color accuracy. Commercial names for this technology include Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
Manufacturers of devices have only just begun the transition to 4K, but they are already considering 10K. What future do you see for TV?
Which HDMI is best for 4K?
In order to offer 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 are certified to have a bandwidth of 18 Gigabits per second (frames per second). HDMI 2.0a – HDMI 2.0a includes all prior improvements and several HDR formats. Richer and more vivid color is possible with this upgraded cable.
Are all HDMI cables same quality?
In actuality, HDMI connections don’t really make that much of a difference in overall picture quality, contrary to popular opinion (and misinformation). Unfortunately, a lot of consumers continue to buy expensive HDMI cables, shelling out way more money than necessary under the mistaken belief that they will receive much higher-quality video.
Is HDMI 2.1 needed for 4K?
Only if you want to use HDMI with 4K over 60Hz is HDMI 2.1 required. This is true for consoles because DisplayPort 1.4, which is widely accessible for PCs, can deliver the same performance. Therefore, it’s possible that you don’t need to worry right now about adding HDMI 2.1 connections and expense to your setup.
Does HDMI 2.1 improve picture quality?
Higher resolutions like 8K and faster video rates of up to 120 frames per second are possible with HDMI 2.1. (fps). You can simply notice more details, be closer to the screen or use a larger screen without detecting any pixels when the resolution of the image is improved.
Does HDMI 2.1 cable work on any TV?
Yes. Any HDMI-enabled device supporting any prior HDMI standard version can be connected, and it will function flawlessly on a new HDMI 2.1-enabled TV or monitor. Additionally, Ultra High Speed HDMI cables support older models.
Do high speed HDMI cables make a difference?
Wide color gamuts and HDR are supported with high-speed HDMI cables. The bandwidth of Premium High Speed is increased to 18Gbps, covering all consumer-level video sources you work with. They are also widely used today. 4K60, or 4K video at 60 frames per second, is supported by premium high speed connections with the ability for BT.
