For a long time, HDMI 2.0 4K cables were the best available for any flat-screen, home theater system, and PC.

Then, here came HDMI 2.1 8K cables. An even better HDMI cable. A faster cable. Though a lot of content wasn’t yet available to justify the purchase of an 8K HDMI cable, things are quickly changing in the world of TVs.

Every year, new tech comes out in every imaginable category. The more demands on your bandwidth, the higher quality cable you need.

Comparing HDMI 2.1 to HDMI 2.0

HDMI 2.0 was released in 2013 but waited a few years before it was really taken on.

The main benefit of HDMI 2.0 was its ability to support 4K60, aka 4K video playback at 60 fps. This was a massive jump in quality over the 1080p and 30 fps of HDMI 1.4.

HDMI 2.1 is more than just an 8K HDMI cable. It was built for the next decade of video tech development in mind.

HDMI 2.1 supports up to 10K in resolution, even though no PC or TV has the capacity to offer it currently. For the time being, however, HDMI 2.1 boasts 4K120, aka 4K video playback at 120 fps. Developers are just getting to triple-digit refresh rates in gaming consoles and PCs. This HDMI standard is perhaps the first one that really gives DisplayPort a run for its money in PC gaming.

Assuming you don’t game and are still wondering about what HDMI 2.1 offers, from a home theater perspective, it supports 8K content at 60 fps.

Though we are likely 3-4 years away from having 8K TVs widely available in-store, you can be ready. Just as we lean into a new phase of flat-screen video quality, the HDMI 2.1 cable will be needed to make it possible.

Should I Be Using HDMI 2.1 Cables?

HDMI 2.1 cables are supported by new gaming consoles from Microsoft and Sony, computer graphics cards including those from Nvidia and AMD, and the latest iteration of flat-screen TVs.

Although HDMI 2.0 cables will still work, if you’re buying new devices in this scope, HDMI 2.1 standard is where to focus your attention if you want to maximize the functionality of these devices.

Is HDMI 2.1 Better Than DisplayPort?

The battle between HDMI and DisplayPort rages on. Both offer cutting-edge functionality in the transfer of audio and video across a single cable. DisplayPort reigns supreme in PC monitors. HDMI’s for home theater systems. This is the rule.

HDMI 2.1 cables have progressed to the point where not only will it lock down consumer electronics at home but it’s starting to make waves in the PC gaming side of things. That says something about the quality of cable.

Find HDMI 2.0 cables and HDMI 2.1 cables in Canada from PrimeCables.ca. Order high-quality cables ready to help you stream audio-video content at your leisure.