The cable supports Dynamic HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X surround sound. Meanwhile, you can output to a display with up to an 8K resolution at 60Hz, as well as 4K at 120Hz. LG was the first manufacturer to go all-in with the new standard, producing the first 4K TVs to sport HDMI 2.1 ports in 2019. All LG's 2022 and 2023 OLED TVs have up to four HDMI 2.1 ports, with Samsung offering one on most models and four on its flagship sets. Meanwhile, much of Panasonic and Sony's 2022 and 2023 ranges also sport a mixture of ports. As part of the process, you should consider enabling HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), so you can turn your TV on and control the volume on your soundbar or amp without the need for multiple remotes. A word of warning, though: turning HDMI CEC on can have some unwanted AV side effects, so you might want to experiment first.

You can think of bandwidth like a pipe. You need to be able to get a lot of "water" through the pipe with 4K and HDR content. A high speed cable needs to be "big" enough to handle it all. We all know good old HDMI. For quite some time, it has been the typical cable you use to connect a laptop, a game console, or a cable or satellite box to a TV. A good example to use here is the difference between Monster Hunter: World on PS4 and the PS5. With this game, performance has nothing to do with the HDMI cable but instead your TV's refresh rate. It supports 48Gbps bandwidth which enables 4K output at 120Hz, in addition to 8K at 60Hz. Dynamic HDR support, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X compatibility are all included, and its unique copper conductors ensure a stable connection with reduced judder during gameplay. The PS5 brings you a whole new level of gaming excellence, which is in part due to the capabilities of the console's HDMI 2.1 port and cable. But what do you need to know about the best TVs and the PS5’s HDMI capabilities to get the most out of the new gaming system?

Another HDMI 2.1 benefit for gamers, QFT technology reduces, though doesn’t eliminate, what is called "input lag": the brief delay between your input on a control pad or keyboard and something happening in-game. QFT shortens the delay sending active video across the HDMI cable. This technology is just beginning to make an appearance in HDMI 2.1 devices. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) This technology streamlines audio from a source, such as a cable or streaming box, through a TV to a destination audio/video receiver or speaker bar. This was possible prior to HDMI 2.1, but not through a single HDMI cable.

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. "High Speed" is the rating used by HDMI companies to indicate cables that have the bandwidth to handle 1080p and greater video resolutions. Or perhaps your smart TV is using a built-in video app such as Netflix, Disney+ or Prime Video. Either way, you don’t want to use your TV’s speakers for audio – you’d rather hear everything played through a soundbar or AV receiver instead. Be warned of some crucial jargon here with real-world consequences. Be careful not to confuse Ultra High Speed HDMI cables with Premium High Speed HDMI cables. The latter are Category 2 cables that went through HDMI’s optional certification program to guarantee support for 4K60. Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are also required to go through a certification program, and will always be marketed as an Ultra High Speed HDMI. Since the PS5 doesn't support 1440p, the resolution of many gaming monitors and projectors, it seems likely that the graphics would instead default to 1080p, which means the PS5 won't benefit massively from a 1440p resolution monitor or screen. HDMI 2.1 vs HDMI 2.0

Devices that support HDMI 2.1 will likely say so in their product details, under their input/output connections. However, as mentioned up top, just because a device has an HDMI 2.1 port doesn’t mean that it supports all HDMI 2.1 features. Dynamic HDR improves on this by allowing frame-by-frame tuning for a better visual experience. It allows each scene in a movie to use the full range of colors, contrast, and brightness. HDMI 2.0 partially supports it for 4K60 content, but HDMI 2.1’s increased bandwidth allows dynamic HDR with 4K120 and future HDR standards. Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) It's all connected correctly, but no sound. The TV's remote does trigger the speakers' volume LED, it blinks when the volume is triggered, but still no sound.

Taking advantage of this new technology requires faster cables that can handle speeds of up to 48Gbps. If you want to upgrade, HDMI 2.1 cables are required. These cables will still work with all your old devices as well. Whether you're looking for a short but durable cable or a bundle of multiple, there are options for everyone on this list.Of course, what counts are the specs. This HDMI 2.1 cable comes with 8K output at up to 120Hz, granting compatibility with some of the most cutting-edge displays on the market. It also includes 4:4:4 RGB HDR, Dolby Vision, and 12-bit color.

Only brand new modern TVs and monitors are being shipped with HDMI 2.1 compatibility, and they are expensive and somewhat rare to find. Any 8K TV will ship with the newer HDMI standard, while this support varies between 4K TVs. Every Samsung QLED TV in 2020 comes with a single HDMI 2.1 port, whereas new LG OLED TVs ship with four HDMI 2.1 ports. Its braided cable is a cut above the typical heat shrink tubing you'll find on more affordable options, mainly because it stands up to significantly more wear and tear. You won't have to worry about frayed wires or a cord that gives up on you at the drop of a hat, and reliability is a price worth paying for. It is important to note that while the new consoles use HDMI 2.1 as the connection, it doesn't mean your TV also needs to support HDMI 2.1.The main benefit of eARC is a big boost in bandwidth and speed. This allows you to send higher-quality audio from your TV to a soundbar or AV receiver. Enhanced Audio Return Channel (also known as eARC) is the next generation of ARC. It’s a feature implemented in the most recent HDMI 2.1 specification.