By the end of this year, a new set of gaming consoles will have arrived, new graphic cards are coming up on the horizon, and home theater and entertainment tech will jump into a new year.
Although HDMI 2.1 cables are being hyped up for being bigger, badder, and overall better, there are a few reasons why you may want to wait to buy them.
A lot of what one hopes to accomplish with HDMI 2.1 is already capable of being done with quality-made HDMI 2.0 cables.
Bandwidth Differences
The big difference in HDMI cables comes in the form of transmission speed. An HDMI 1.4 cable transmits at a maximum rate of 10.2 Gbps. HDMI 2.0 transmits at 18 Gbps. Comparatively, HDMI 2.1 transmits at an impressive 48 Gbps.
These are maximum speeds and there’s no guarantee one will achieve these with their HDMI cables.
Receive 4K Signals with HDMI 2.0
If you want HDMI 2.1 to have 4K signals, know that you have 4K capability with HDMI 2.0 cables.
You already have the technology to carry uncompressed 4K signals at 60 frames a second in eight-bit color. For UHD Blu-ray signals, gaming consoles, and more, 4K HDMI 2.0 cables are everything you need.
Regarding HDMI 2.1, it is understandably an upgrade. You get uncompressed 8K signals at 60 frames per second and in 12-bit color.
That said, unless you have an 8K TV and everything 8K-capable, this means little. It’s a wholly unnecessary upgrade.
Why Gamers May Feel Different
If you’re looking to buy the newest gaming console or to upgrade your graphics card, an advanced HDMI cable may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Assuming your TV supports HDMI 2.1 and your console is either an Xbox Series X, Playstation 5, or comparable model, having an HDMI 2.1 cable is the only way you’re going to be able to get those graphics and gameplay as advertised.
For everyday home theater users, HDMI 2.1 cables are still a few years away from being in widespread use.
Especially with the unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the video game industry, we may not see HDMI 2.1 cables as the standard until at the very least 2025 although at this point, it’s hard to predict where tech is headed.
Where Can I Buy HDMI Cables in Canada?
If you’re looking for HDMI cables for your home theater or gaming station, PrimeCables.ca is your ticket. Upgrade your system today with high-quality 4K HDMI cables that are ready to deliver premium-level video.
Photo by Tyler Callahan on Unsplash