PS5, Blu-ray player, Amazon Fire TV Stick: All three devices are connected to the TV via HDMI. HDMI is the most important port on the television.
HDMI stands for "High definition Multimedia Interface". It transmits both image and audio signals. Several tech giants have been working on the standard since 2002 and have always developed it, including Philips and Sony.
At that time they chose HDMI, since the standard enables digital transmission, has a higher bandwidth than Scart or DVI and video and audio in a cable.
What types of HDMI cables are there?
Below you will find a table that summarizes all the necessary information about the individual standards. The versions 2.0 and 2.1 are particularly important today.
| Version | Designation | Year | Max. Resolution & frame rate | Max. Band width | HDR | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | - | 2002 | 1080p@60Hz | 4,95 Gbit/s | No | Eight Audiokanäle |
| 1.1/1.2 | - | 2005 | 1440p@30Hz | 4,95 Gbit/s | No | DVD-Audio, One-Bit-Audio |
| 1.3/1.4 | High Speed HDMI / High Speed HDMI with Ethernet | 2009 | 4K@30Hz | 10,2 Gbit/s | No | Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, 3D |
| 2.0 | Premium High Speed HDMI | 2013 | 4K@60Hz / 5K@30Hz | 18 Gbit/s | And | HE-AAC, DRA, 32 audio channels |
| 2.1 | Ultra High Speed HDMI | 2017 | 4K@120Hz / 8K@60Hz | 48 Gbit/s | And | Earc, VRR, gen |
Important features of HDMI explained
The standard is always provided with different functions that bring different advantages.
- Arc / trick(Audio Return Channel / Enhanced Audio Return Channel): Allows you to return sound from the TV to a soundbar or an AV receiver-no extra audio cable is necessary.
- CEC(Consumer Electronics Control): Allows several HDMI devices to be controlled with a single remote control.
- VRR(Variable Refresh Rate): Synchronizes the frame rate of the TVS with the GPU. This reduces tearing and stuttering, especially when playing.
- Gen(Auto Low latency Mode): Recognizes automatically when a game runs and switches the TV into game mode, which creates less input lag.
Questions about HDMI explained
Is the cable length important?
Yes, because the longer an HDMI cable is, the more data is lost during the transmission. For loss -free signals, we recommend a maximum length of 10 meters. For further routes you need an HDMI extender (viaAmazon).
Does it matter which side of the HDMI cable I put on the TV?
Yes, it doesn't matter. Both heads run the same standards.
What does the bandwidth of an HDMI cable mean?
The range of an HDMI cable indicates how many data can be transmitted per second. It determines which resolutions and refresh rates are possible.
In short:The higher, the better.
Which HDMI version do I need for 4K and 8K?
At least HDMI 2.0 is recommended for 4K content. At 8K you absolutely need HDMI 2.1.
Is there HDMI 2.1 as a software update for older devices?
No. HDMI 2.1 needs a physical hardware adjustment such as new chips and cannot be retrofitted by a simple software update.
However, there are occasional cases in which manufacturers submit individual HDMI 2.1 functions by updating.
Is there a difference between cheap and expensive HDMI cables?
Theoretically yes, it is not noticeable in practice. As long as an HDMI cable has the right certification (e.g. Ultra High Speed at HDMI 2.1), all cables work the same.
Gilded or thicker cables only bring advantages if they are used for long distances. The same applies to glass fiber HDMI cables.
Are there any other HDMI plugs?
Yes, but the type A plug used on TVs is far the most common. A narrower standard (type C) is sometimes used in laptops or video cameras. Rarely can you find type D and the automotive industry uses a type e plug, which is largely irrelevant.
Will there be other HDMI standards in the future?
And, although not much is known about the specifications. So far it is only known that the standard will have a higher bandwidth.
So that not every manufacturer cooks their own soup, the so -called HDMI forum is responsible for the standards and their determination. This also awards the badges that manufacturers have to use if your cables and connections have the necessary specifications. The HDMI Forum itself is a non -profit company without gaining profit.
