Is There a Difference in HDMI Cables? Not Really GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Home Theater & Entertainment > TV & Displays 57 57 people found this article helpful

Is There a Difference in HDMI Cables? Sort of, but Not Really

There's no such thing as HDMI Cable versions and other myths you should know

By Jon Martindale Jon Martindale Writer Jon Martindale has been a feature tech writer for more than 10 years. He's written for publications such as Digital Trends, KitGuru, and ITProPortal. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 13, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email TV & Displays HDMI & Connections Samsung Projectors Antennas Remote Controls HDMI cables have looked the same for the near-20-years they've been available, but their performance and features have changed drastically over that time. Although cable companies have, for many years, tried to sell potential buyers on the benefits of overpaying for higher quality or higher speed cables, there isn't much in it, especially today. HDMI cables have evolved over the generations, but today even the most capable of them are backward compatible and barely more expensive than their predecessors. That means there's little point in restricting yourself, especially if you're looking to connect mainstream consumer devices to a consumer display, like a TV. There are some different HDMI cables out there, though, which can affect your setup.

HDMI Cable Types

In the past, there were multiple categories of HDMI cables. Category 1 cables could offer 720p or 1080i resolutions at up to 60Hz, while Category 2 cables could handle 1080p at 60 FPS or 4K at 30 FPS. Those were later renamed to Standard HDMI and High-Speed HDMI, respectively. There were also specific versions of those cables that supported Ethernet over HDMI too. However, in 2021, you can throw all of that out the window. There are only three main types of HDMI cable you need to consider: HDMI 2.0: Often marketed as 4K-ready or a 4K HDMI cable. They support the full 18Gbps bandwidth of the HDMI 2.0 specification and can support 4K resolution up to 60Hz, or 1080p up to 240Hz. Its official name is Premium High-Speed HDMI cable, and it's entirely backward compatible with every generation of HDMI ports that came before. It also supports the audio return channel (ARC) technology. HDMI 2.0 with Ethernet: identical specifications to standard HDMI 2.0 cables, except with the addition of Ethernet over HDMI support. HDMI 2.1: Often marketed as 8K ready, or an 8K HDMI cable, it supports the full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth of 48Gbps, making it capable of transmitting 4K at 120Hz, as well as 5K, 8K, and 10K resolutions (some with Display Stream Compression, or DSC). It has built-in Ethernet functionality, supports the more capable eARC technology, and is backward compatible with every previous generation of HDMI port. HDMI 2.1 connectors and therefore cables are seeing greater support among modern televisions, particularly high-end 4K models, which support higher refresh rates. They're also mandatory for new-generation consoles from Microsoft and Sony to take advantage of high frame rates and resolution support and be a connector option on graphics cards from both Nvidia's RTX 3000 and AMD's RX 6000 ranges. Prices are almost identical between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1, although you can save a couple of dollars by opting for the older standard if you have no benefit from the additional bandwidth of HDMI 2.1.

Active vs Passive

If you need a particularly long HDMI cable, you need to consider whether you should buy an active HDMI cable instead of a traditional passive one. Most HDMI cables are passive, which means they lack active signal boosting and are reversible. Active HDMI cables have specific source and output ends and can operate at far greater lengths without signal degradation. Modern passive HDMI 2.1 cables can only extend to around 10ft before they run into trouble. An active 2.1 connection, however, can extend to 75ft without difficulty. Do note, however, that active HDMI cables are vastly more expensive.
FAQ How can I tell the difference in HDMI cables? If you have access to the cable packaging, look for labels that tell you which HDMI versions they work best with, such as Premium High-Speed (for HDMI 2.0). Most HDMI cables have two Type-A connectors that fit into HDMI ports in TVs, monitors, set-top boxes, and more. If you see smaller connectors on one end, the cable could be specific to devices such as digital cameras or projectors. What is the difference between HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 cables? HDMI 1.4 cables are called High-Speed HDMI cables and work with the older HDMI 1.4 version, which first came out in 2009. HDMI 1.4 cables support 4K video at 30Hz frame rates. HDMI 2.0 versions (including HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.0, and HDMI 2.0b) came out after HDMI 1.4 and use Premium High-Speed cables for much wider 4K resolution and HDR support. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire HDMI 2.0 vs 2.1: What to Know Before You Buy USB-C vs. USB 3: What's the Difference? Everything You Need to Know About HDMI Cable Types How Many HDMI Inputs Do I Want on an HDTV? What Is HDMI 2.0b? USB4: Everything You Need to Know What Is HDMI and How Do You Use It? How to Fix Disney Plus Error Code 39 DVI vs. HDMI: What's the Difference? How to Troubleshoot HDMI Connection Problems DisplayPort vs HDMI: Which Is Better? FHD vs UHD: What's The Difference? How to Fix It When a Second Monitor Is Not Working Goronya 3x1 HDMI Switch Selector Review: A Great Budget 4K HDMI Switch with All the Essentials How to Connect Two Home Computers Through a Network VGA vs. HDMI: What's the Difference? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies