Tag: hdmi 2.0

What Are The Benefits Of HDMI 4K Cables?

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Since most televisions and computer monitors are available in at least 4K resolution now, it only stands to reason that supportive technology keeps pace with the advancements of higher screen resolution. That brings us to HDMI cable technology.

What Does 4K Refer To?

The term 4K refers to screen resolution, and is fast becoming the default resolution for new televisions. The image is nearly 4 000 pixels wide, hence the name 4K.

What Is HDMI And How Does It Work?

Before HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cables came along, data was transferred from computers to monitors, printers, game systems and televisions using separate, slower cables for graphics and for sound.

HDMI cables can transfer all of this information together and more, in high resolution and at extremely fast speeds. These cables reduce the need for multiple cables tangled up in a mess, and they provide better overall quality as well. Let’s take a look at the variations available.

HDMI Cable Variations

  • HDMI 1.4 cables can transfer data at high speed and supports 4K resolution. They offer basic high quality for your needs.
  • HDMI 2.0 cables offer the same transferring capabilities, but with increased bandwidth and with a wider variety of colors.
  • HDMI 2.0a cables are the same as HDMI 2.0 cables, but they offer better, faster performance. This cable features different types of High Density Resolution (HDR) resulting in richer, more vibrant colors that produce more realistic images.
  • HDMI 2.1 cables offer dynamic performance, with faster refresh rates and higher bandwidth, as well as the higher resolution and more vibrant color production.
How to choose the Right HDMI Cables

How About Wireless?

Wireless video HDMI is available, and it does not require WIFI to work. With a transmitter that attaches to one device and a receiver attached to the television or monitor, the direct signal is high quality.

The parts are usually sold as a kit, with no extra components needed. The signal can reach up to 150 feet and can operate in different rooms. 4K is not yet available in this format.

Benefits

Any time you can speed up performance of data transmission and image quality, the payoff is a better end result.

4K HDMI cables help make your television or projector work to the best of its capabilities and they offer the best image quality available. Clean, crisp visuals with vibrant, realistic color resolution makes your 4K purchase worthwhile and enhances the performance from your devices to your television.

At the end of the day, the better the quality of input, the better quality of output. An HDMI 4K cable is absolutely worth it. Shop high quality 4K cables and home theater accessories at PrimeCables.ca.

When Is HDMI 2.1 Better than HDMI 2.0?

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Dynamic HRD, eARC, VRR, and QMS are acronyms not often heard in everyday language. In designing home theater systems, they’re important when buying HDMI cables for your TV and gaming consoles.

Why are they important to know – let’s have a look.

Technical Jargon And What It Means

  • Let’s start with Dynamic HRD (High Dynamic Range).

For a video display, Dynamic HRD ensures that your experience on a frame-by-frame basis will have the ideal depth, detail, brightness, and contrast. In other words, you see the game or video in the way the developers designed it for you to view.

  • Now, there’s eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel).

Ever played a game or watched a video where the speech to what you see on the screen isn’t in sync? The sound from your TV’s speakers isn’t so good? eARC solves these issues by connecting the TV to a compatible AV receiver or soundbar with less cables. This makes for a much clearer sound.

  • VRR stands for ‘Variable Refresh Rate’.

Seeing 2 frames at the same time? 60 Hz, or 60FPS (Frames Per Second), is the standard viewing for monitors and TVs. HDMI 2.1 cables clock in at 48Gbps, whereas HDMI 2.0 is 18Gbps. The increase in bandwidth transfers more information at higher resolution and frame rates eliminating this lag.

  • Lastly, there’s QMS or Quick Media Switching.

Seeing a blank screen as you change from video to gaming? Your components will re-sync to match the frame rate difference from TV to video, therefore creating a blank screen in between modes. All HDMI 2.1 cables have the feature of QMS through a VRR mechanism that makes this switch seamless with no blank screens.

Should I Upgrade To HDMI 2.1?

The first question you must ask yourself is, “Do I need this to run my components?”.

Some newer gaming systems and TVs are equipped with HDMI 2.1 compliant ports. The bandwidth we talked about earlier is an important factor to consider. The higher the bandwidth the greater the resolution and frame refresh rate.

Unless you are an avid gamer with a TV with HDMI 2.1 ports already, you won’t need these HDMI 2.1 cables just yet, but eventually you will need them to experience the video content at its best.

Since HDMI 2.1 is backwards compatible, they will work with your current systems. The only disadvantage is the slower frames per second if your current devices are not HDMI 2.1 supported.

If you are seeking the best experiences in video or gaming and looking to buy into 8K TVs once available in the mainstream market, then ideally having the HDMI 2.1 cables would be of benefit as they incorporate all of the above qualities.

Shop high-quality HDMI cables and more for your home theater or gaming systems at PrimeCables.ca.

Why a High-Quality HDMI Cable Is Better Than a Cheap HDMI Knock-Off

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HDMI has long supplanted component and composite cables as the mainstream option for both video and audio devices. They offer a simple one-cable solution but picking out the right cable isn’t quite so easy.

Wide-Ranging Quality and Features

Even without going into the different formats available, the quality of different HDMI cables at the store can vary dramatically. The cables come in a variety of lengths, with designs fitting specific applications.

While many of the top cables are roughly the same, the cheapest options at the bottom have some serious quality issues.

What Exactly do HDMI Cables Do?

HDMI cables carry digital signals, as opposed to the analog signals of the antiquated yellow, white, and red connectors. The digital bits carried by the cables require consistent fidelity to properly transmit video and sound.

Dropped information can lead to complex issues when not delivered, unlike the simple static of previous technologies.

Avoiding Older Tech

The bottom of the bin HDMI cables are the same format that was originally introduced, standard HDMI. These cables can’t even handle full HD, and they aren’t going to be in any reputable big box stores.

Discount stores trying to offload old warehouse finds might carry these cables for as little as one dollar, but it just isn’t worth it. Always buy high-quality HDMI.

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A Step in the Right Direction

An easier to find discount version is HDMI 1.4, a more recent format that can handle 4K up to 30 frames per second. This is obviously not what anyone with a 4K television is looking for and only suitable for 1080p applications.

The cheapest cables at most stores could be this type, a poor option for anyone looking for quality in their cable.

Modern Cables

The latest cables are HDMI 2.0 and 2.1, both suitable for most modern applications. HDMI 2.1 is the way to go with the latest gaming consoles, with 4K up to 120 frames per second. That being said, HDMI 2.0 still runs up to 60 frames per second at 4K.

The real point of contention between the two formats is whether the television has 2.0 or 2.1 ports, with many yet to adopt the newer format.

Cheap Cables Won’t Last

Anyone who thinks they’re saving money buying cheap cables will probably end up spending more in the long run. Quality cables last much longer, with better durability protecting the delicate wires inside.

Cheap cables inevitably have some wires break after repeated bending and adjusting, sending them straight to the trash.

Can you imagine any modern home theater system without an HDMI as your go-to cable – we can’t. Shop high-quality HDMI cables at PrimeCables.ca and connect a wide variety of devices to your flat-screen with ease, reliability, and sparklingly clear definition.

What HDMI Cables Do I Need For Gaming – Read here

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Picking out the right HDMI cable for gaming needs isn’t as simple as buying the most expensive cables or those advertised as premium. The ever-changing demands of gaming require a bit more thought into picking the right cables.

Why The Wrong Cable Won’t Do

There’s such a wide range of quality among HDMI cables. Grabbing any old cable off the shelf, gamers will get varied results. Cheaply-made cables are less durable, and even expensive cables can be cheaply made.

Gaming often requires durable cables that can stand up to being moved as gamers rearrange or transport consoles.

Bandwidth Concerns

Bandwidth, the amount of information a cable can carry at once, is one of the biggest issues for gaming cables. Low bandwidth leads to apparently minor issues that can add up in effect, like flickering, discoloration, and distortions.

Especially with 4K gaining traction, getting an HDMI cable with sufficient bandwidth is of paramount importance.

Standard HDMI Cables

The first generation of HDMI, standard HDMI, is long outdated and mostly unavailable in stores. Gamers using these old cables can struggle to achieve even 1080p, full HD, with some cables meant for 1080i and 720p.

Unless a cable is years old and still in use, it’s unlikely to be a standard HDMI cable. These cables offer the lowest available quality.

High-Speed HDMI Cables

With a boost from 4.95 to 10.2 Gbps, high-speed HDMI more than doubles the bandwidth of standard HDMI. Once believed to be able to handle any challenges arising in the future, today, these cables struggle with 4K over 30 frames per second.

Anyone watching movies in 1080p or gaming on older consoles won’t notice, but these cables aren’t suitable for the latest consoles.

Premium High-Speed HDMI Cables

At last, premium high-speed HDMI 2.0 cables are suitable for gaming on the modern generation of consoles. Nearly doubling the bandwidth of high-speed HDMI cables, they handle 4K at 60 frames per second easily.

Though not every gamer will need a premium high-speed HDMI cable, some will appreciate features and support that come exclusively with this level cable.

Ultra-High Speed HDMI Cables

Ultra-high speed cables, or HDMI 2.1, offer over double the bandwidth of premium high-speed. This means they handle up to 8K at 60 frames per second. These cables stand up to even the most demanding uses.

The massive resolution and frame rate capabilities of HDMI 2.1 make it the premier choice in cables, at least for now.

HDMI cables can make-or-break the gaming experience. A low-quality HDMI cable can ruin gameplay. Shop the best HDMI cables in Canada at PrimeCables.ca. Use them on gaming consoles, home theater systems, and more.

Should I Buy HDMI 2.0 Cables or HDMI 2.1 Cables – See here!

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HDMI 2.1 is the latest cable on the scene, offering improved performance over HDMI 2.0. With many of the latest televisions and devices still yet to adopt the format, buyers face a choice between the two.

HDMI Standards in Televisions

Despite being already replaced, HDMI 2.0 itself is relatively new. Everything but the cheapest televisions will have an HDMI 2.0 port. There is some variation within HDMI 2.0, with 2.0a and 2.0b versions. There isn’t that much of a difference between the two versions, so the real question is HDMI 2.0 vs. HDMI 2.1.

Bandwidth Makes or Breaks the Cable

HDMI 2.1 cables represent a marked improvement in bandwidth, the speed at which a cable can carry data. HDMI 2.0 has up to 18 Gbps, while HDMI 2.1 offers 48 Gbps. This is over double, allowing for improved frame rate and resolution.

HDMI 2.0 cables stand up to the most demanding applications with up to 120 frames per second in 4K and 60 frames per second at 8K.

Additional Benefits

There isn’t just improved bandwidth. HDMI 2.1 has other things going for it. The cables support Dynamic HDR, a more responsive version of the HDR supported by HDMI 2.0. Audio quality is also improved.

These are just a few of the reasons to choose HDMI 2.1, with many other more technical benefits present as well.

When is HDMI 2.1 Needed?

Gamers still booting up their Xbox 360 will probably get along just fine with HDMI 2.0, but anyone with an Xbox Series X should consider the new cables. HDMI 2.1 is the only cable to handle the full output of the latest consoles.

Only HDMI 2.1 can handle 4K at 120 frames per second, HDMI 2.0 simply can’t compete.

Cost Concerns

There was a period where “premium” HDMI cables were being sold at outrageous prices, hundreds of dollars. These cables advertised better quality through better materials and construction, rather than a new format.

HDMI 2.1 is nothing like these, offering a real boost in quality without costing all that much more than regular 2.0 cables.

Looking Forward

It seems unlikely that resolution and frame rates in gaming and other media are going to stop increasing any time soon. With demands increasing, consumers should go for the option that will stay relevant the longest.

HDMI 2.1 is the only cable on the market that could conceivably handle 10K, making it the top option going into the future.

Shop HDMI 2.0 cables and HDMI 2.1 cables as well as audio-video cables of all types from PrimeCables.ca. As one of the most common home theater cables going, you can’t go wrong sharing audio and video across a high-quality HDMI cable.