When it comes down to 4K TV, you do not need to pick up special HDMI cables. The HDMI cable standard can impact color and resolution, but newer versions are not required for 4K TV.
There really is no difference between a cable marketed as 4K and one that is not. But there is a label that does matter, and that is the speed rating. Speed will dictate the maximum bandwidth allowed by the cable.
If you are wondering about whether your existing HDMI cable will work, it is possible that you will not need to upgrade to one that is “4K-compatible.” Any HDMI cable up to five meters in length labeled “high speed” should be able to handle the increased bandwidth of 4K signals.
Any HDMI cable labeled high-speed (18 Gbps) transfer speed is 4K compatible. Check the cable itself. Look for printing on the cable itself, which should say “high speed with ethernet" or something similar. The better cables print the specs on the cable part.
With the myths now debunked, it's time to know the truth. Can a very expensive HDMI cable show a better picture and sound quality than a cheaper one? The quick answer is no. An HDMI cable, regardless of the materials used, can either transmit a signal or not – there's no in-between.
Yes, there is a difference but whether or not you experience any difference depends highly on what you are using the HDMI cable for. When it comes to home theater equipment, you want to ensure that you are getting the highest quality sound and video from your system.
For resolutions near 4K, it's recommended to use an HDMI cable that is no longer than 3 meters (10 feet). After that distance, the signal can start to degrade. For lower resolutions, the reliable distance is much longer, with the most common being 15 meters (50 feet).
The easiest way to figure out if an HDMI cable is 4K compatible is to check its speed rating or its maximum bandwidth. A cable rated at 18 Gbps maximum bandwidth is fast enough to give you 4K video. If your HDMI cable is labeled “high speed,” it should be able to pass a 4K signal at lengths of up to three meters.
HDMI 2.1 is only needed if you want to use HDMI with 4K over 60Hz. This applies to consoles, as on PC you can get the same performance with DisplayPort 1.4, which is readily available. So, it's likely adding HDMI 2.1 cables and expense to your setup is not something you need to worry about now.
4K (60p or 120p) content
Use a Premium High-Speed HDMI® cable which supports 18Gbps. Connect the HDMI cable to the 4K compatible HDMI port on the TV. Note: Information on the 4K compatible HDMI ports of your Android TV™ device is available. Set HDMI signal format to Enhanced format.
If you still have the packaging for the HDMI cable, check it to find out if the cable is standard or high-speed. If you do not have the packaging, see if you can find it printed on the cable itself. You may find references to 1.2, 1.3, or other numerals printed on the HDMI cable.
There are also different types of HDMI cable (see the chart below). Not all cables use the logo but the cable specifications should indicate whether it is Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed. If the type is not indicated, assume Standard.
Your TV may look blurry or fuzzy because you might be using an incorrect aspect ratio, a lower resolution setting, a smaller bitrate setting, a sharpness setting that's too low, using an older HDMI cable that isn't high speed, a blur reduction/motion setting that should/shouldn't be toggled on, or the possibility that ...
On Apple TV 4K, you need an HDMI 2.0 or later compatible cable. To access all of the features that your Apple TV has to offer, use an HDMI 2.1 cable.
While 4k HDMI 2.0 is a good choice for your AV equipment, 8k HDMI 2.1 has more benefits. It surpasses some inefficiencies you may experience when using 4k cable, meaning lag-free gaming, real-time gameplay, and low latency.
A 2.1 HDMI cable can be as long as 50 feet or over. As a cable with a higher frame rate, the greater the distance the signal has to travel, the more quality loss there will be. For the best length and definition balance, we wouldn't recommend going over 20 feet.
You don't absolutely need HDMI 2.1 to reach 120Hz or even 144Hz refresh rates, but it is important for supporting both high refresh rates and high resolution at the same time.
HDMI 2.1 allows for higher resolutions like 8K and higher frame rates of up to 120 frames per second (fps). Resolution improves the clarity and sharpness of the picture, which means you can simply see more details, and have less distance to the screen or a bigger screen without noticing any pixels.
As long as you have at least HDMI 1.4, 120Hz is doable on your compatible TV or monitor. You can even do up to 144Hz if your display supports it.
Your HDMI cables are handy when it comes to delivering high-definition audio and video signals from a single cord. However, your cords may degrade with age. So it may be time for you to get an upgrade, in which case you should invest in new cables.
Overview of HDMI 2.0
Released in September 2013, the specification includes support of increased bandwidth up to 18 Gbps, resolutions up to 4K @ 60 Hz, simultaneous delivery of two video streams and up to four audio streams, 32 channels of audio, as well as other key enhancements.
The length of an HDMI cable does have a negative effect on signal quality, with manufacturers generally not recommending cables over 20 feet.
Like many audio, video, and data cables, HDMI cords can suffer from signal degradation at longer lengths—50 feet is generally considered the maximum reliable length. And it's rare to see an HDMI cable longer than 25 feet in a store.
HDMI cables are interactive, so you can use an HDMI cable that supports 4K on your 1080p TV. For this same reason, you can use a high-speed HDMI cable on any digital TV, even a non-Smart TV or non-HD TV.