HDMI 2.1: The future ready standard for speed and smoothness

Whether you’re into gaming in a big way or about to purchase a new 8K TV, you’ll be looking for the best HDMI 2.1 cable to bring out every detail. HDMI 2.1 provides a massive leap forward in bandwidth capability, bringing you higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, dynamic HDR and auto low latency mode. That means listening to music that’s clearer, streaming shows that are crisper – and gaming with graphics that are all that more impressive.

HDMI 2.1, supported by Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, provides some of the most significant improvements yet in the HDMI standard. If you’ve purchased a brand-new 8K TV or gaming system, HDMI 2.1 will be the vital ingredient. Get ready for the new generation now with the right quality cables.

HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) cables are the amazing cords that bring your entertainment centre to life. They are the conduit that connects your content source, such as a gaming console or streaming device, and your TV or monitor. None of our high definition TVs or sound systems would be nearly as epic without the humble HDMI.

Now that our TVs and gaming consoles are levelling up, it’s time to level up the cables connecting them. A cable that supports HDMI 2.1 is the best choice if you’re looking to unlock the full graphic capabilities of your Xbox Series X, PS5 or new 8K TV. Otherwise, it’s a little like ordering an expensive meal and having it delivered to your house by someone who stops for coffee on the way – still good, but think of what the experience could have been!

There are a few exciting features that make HDMI 2.1 the smart choice when it comes to HDMI 2.0 vs 2.1, including Dynamic HDR, eARC, Quick Media Switching and auto low latency mode. HDMI 2.1 also supports a higher bandwidth capability. Depending on your choice of cable, the new HDMI standard enables almost three times as much data to pass down the cable at any one time, from 18 Gbps with HDMI 2.0 up to an impressive 48Gbps.

Where the older HDMI 2.0 supports 4K resolution up to 60Hz, the new HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz. While that difference might not be noticeable on a TV that’s a few years old, it will certainly be noticeable on an 8K TV gaming or new gaming platform.

Game Mode VRR is another exciting feature supported by HDMI 2.1. Using Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology, the content source and display can maintain 1:1 syncing across a frequency range to combat blur and input lag. Smoother game play, anyone?

Here’s a very common question in regards to the new HDMI standard: “Will I really need to upgrade all my HDMI cables?” This depends on your equipment choice and set-up. If you’re fitting out your you-beaut new 8K home theatre, then you’re certainly going to want to invest in cables that support HDMI 2.1. You’ll also want to choose this cable type if:

• You’re experiencing flashing or flickering with your 4K streaming device, such as Apple 4K TV, Google Chromecast Ultra or Roku.
• You’re playing games in 4K or 8K.
• You’re editing video with a video-editing workstation that supports 8K resolution.
• You listen to audio that uses the HDMI-eARC standard, such as DTS Master, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Atmos.

Perhaps the best part of all is that HDMI 2.1 will support a whole lot of technology and products that are yet to come onto the market, which makes it a wise investment to buy the best HDMI cable for the 2.1 standard that you can find.

Will your new cable work with an older TV or content source? Absolutely. It’s worth noting that HDMI 2.1 cables are backwards-compatible and will still work with devices that don’t support 8K, so you can buy with confidence knowing your new cable will be relevant for years to come.

Ultra High Speed HDMI is the official name for cables that meet and support the new HDMI 2.1 standard, as defined by the HDMI Forum. While older Premium High Speed HDMI cables have supported a maximum bandwidth of 18Gbps and 4K resolution up to 60Hz, the new Ultra High Speed HDMI cables support a maximum bandwidth of 48Gbps and uncompressed 8K resolution at up to 60hz. They also feature incredibly low EMI, or electro-magnetic interference, which means less disturbance to nearby wireless devices.

Ultra High Speed HDMI cables must be tested and certified as meeting strict specifications that ensure they can support HDMI 2.1 features including 4Kp50/60/100/120 and 8Kp50/60 video, HDR, VRR and eARC.

What does this all mean for your video, audio and gaming? Whether you’re looking to get the most out of your 4K system or want to unlock the full graphic qualities of 8K devices, you can expect faster, smoother playback and the fastest refresh rates possible with a good quality Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.

You’ll no doubt be looking for the best 4K HDMI 2.1 cable you can find when the time comes to upgrade your equipment or home theatre system. There are a handful of considerations that can help you make the right purchase.

1. Order the right length for your Ultra High Speed HDMI cable

Cable length is a key consideration, because a very long HDMI cable could lead to a poorer signal quality. It’s important to order a cable that’s appropriate for a specific setup rather than simply buying the longest cable possible. When buying, be sure to measure the length between streaming or gaming devices and your TV or monitor to ensure you’ll have enough cable to reach the distance with a little length to spare. Here at 4Cabling, we supply Ultra High Speed HDMI cables in 0.5m, 1m, 1.5m, and 2m lengths.

       2. Consider the build quality of any Ultra High Speed HDMI cable

Next up are materials and build quality, because not all cables are equal. Our cables include gold-plated corrosion-resistant connectors to support a long life for your cables and electrical equipment, while oxygen-free 30AWG and fully shielded construction helps to keep noise and distortion to a minimum. Generic or no-name cables may not offer the same characteristics. In the balance between a HDMI 2.1 cable price and quality, choose quality every time.

We know you’ll be keen to receive your order when it comes to choosing the best 2.1 HDMI cable for your audio, video and gaming set-ups. We ship most in-stock orders within the same day.

Explore our Ultra High Speed HDMI cables as well as cable management accessories today.