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.
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.
An HDMI 2.1 connection essentially allows for 120fps at 4K, or 8K at 60fps, while an HDMI 2.0 connection can allow for 120fps, but at either 1080p or 1440p. HDMI 2.0 connections also allow for 4K at 60hz, which has been enjoyed for some time thanks to consoles like the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X.
That said, HDMI is and has always been fully backward compatible. It's perfectly fine to use a TV equipped with HDMI 2.1 with an older HDMI cable. It's also perfectly fine to use a next-generation console with a TV that has HDMI 2.0. They will work, but won't be capable of outputting in 4K at 120Hz or higher.
You're in luck — all you need is a single HDMI cable to connect your TV and soundbar enabled with Dolby Atmos (HDMI 2.0 for ARC should do the trick while HDMI 2.1 is necessary for eARC setups). This is the simplest option and will send audio directly from your TV to your soundbar.
Most soundbars and TVs have an HDMI port. Keep in mind you need to use an HDMI ARC or eARC cable and port. If you don't have this, you'll need an optical cable in addition to an HDMI cable. With an HDMI 2.0b cable, you can transmit the sound of your television to your soundbar.
Using HDMI ARC does not require a new HDMI cable. Any HDMI cable should be able to cope with the requirements – it's only when we move on to eARC that this could (potentially) become an issue.
Yes. You will be able to connect any HDMI-enabled device supporting any older version of the HDMI standard, and it will work just fine on a new HDMI 2.1-enabled TV or display. Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are backward-compatible too.
Full HDMI 2.1 specification is not necessarily required for VRR and ALLM, but TVs that offer HDMI 2.1 ports will likely have these features in tow. Currently, HDMI 2.0 cables are needed to achieve a 4K picture at 60fps or an 8K picture at 30fps.
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.
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.
As we mentioned above, just because you're getting a new TV doesn't necessarily mean you need new HDMI cables, even if you're upgrading to something with 4K and HDR. Over short distances, say under 6 feet, just about any recent "high speed HDMI cable" should work fine.
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.
Can the Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable work with existing HDMI devices? The cable is backwards compatible and can be used with all existing HDMI devices.
PS5/ Xbox Series X|S equipped with an ultra high-speed HDMI port, or HDMI 2.1, the aims to deliver 4K 60Hz-120Hz and 1080p 120Hz. While the majority of games are 4K 60Hz or lower, means a premium HDMI cable is still just fine for a PS5.
From a pure bandwidth perspective, HDMI 2.1 offers far more. Where HDMI 2.1 offers a maximum bandwidth of 48 Gbps. DisplayPort 1.4, on the other hand, is limited to just 32.4 Gbps.
To be able to read the signal from either the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you need at least HDMI 2.0 connectivity (for 1080p at 120fps). Whereas, HDMI 2.1 is mandatory for 4K at 120fps.
Why are some HDMI cables more expensive than others? Multiple reasons but the main one is the fact that there are quite literally different types of HDMI cables. Some standards are faster, and some slower. This means different types can display different resolutions at different refresh rates.
We recommend most people stick to the HDMI 2.0a connections that are on current TVs. For higher bandwidth and advanced features, however, you will need to make sure that your HDMI cables match the format of the ports and devices you're using.
Sound devices and projectors all use this standard. For a better sound experience, you can use an HDMI cable to direct the sound from your Smart TV to sound device. ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a special function of HDMI high-speed certified cables via which the sound can also be sent back to the transmitter.
So which one is better? HDMI ARC or digital optical audio? HDMI ARC is a better option. It supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and up to 7.1 channels of uncompressed audio while Digital Optical only supports Dolby Digital and up to 5.1 channels of uncompressed audio.
While a regular HDMI connector is only able to transmit audio signals or video images, ARC has an added function that allows you to transmit audio signals from a TV back to the source, like a receiver or soundbar.
To determine if your TV supports HDMI ARC, you can look at the HDMI ports on the back of the TV. If an HDMI connector is labeled with “HDMI ARC” or “ARC,” the TV supports it. Additionally, if your TV was made after 2009, it's likely that it will have HDMI ARC.
The connection in your TV or receiver is what needs a specific HDMI version (4K). You don't need them for the soundbar.
Even though soundbars don't need to be 4K compatible, a pass-through can be convenient. You can connect other 4K devices to the soundbar and watch the visuals on your 4K T.V. Games will be brighter, clearer, and more vivid.