HDMI is a term that is now familiar to almost everyone. An HDMI cable can be used to connect an input source to a display. This can be a connection between computer and monitor or between console and television. As technology evolves, so does the HDMI standard.
What types of HDMI are there?
There are different versions of HDMI cables. The oldest version is 1.0 and is now only connected to old devices. A further development was carried out using the 1.1 and 1.2 standards, which enable better audio support. With 1.3 and 1.4 came more further developments, for example a transmission of 3D or an Ethernet channel. The latest versions are 2.0 / 2.0a and 2.1. So you can enjoy the latest quality standards.
What can HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 do?
The special thing about HDMI 2.0 is the transmission in 4K or Ultra HD. Cables of this type can do everything that their predecessors can, but are also of better quality. HDMI 2.0 can play Full HD and better resolutions. From version 1.4, 4K support is also offered, but only "normal" Ultra HD is supported. With HDMI 2.1 you can then also transmit 4K 3D and with HDR. HDR is images with a high dynamic range. These contain more colors and are therefore more realistic than most pictures taken with regular camera settings.
However, if you want to transfer a picture in Ultra HD, you not only need a suitable cable: A suitable receiver and possibly a suitable transmitter are also important. If you want to watch a 4K Blu-Ray in the appropriate quality, you need a player that can play 4K, an HDMI 2.0 cable and a television that supports this UHD quality.
If transmission in Full HD is sufficient for you, you do not necessarily have to replace all cables directly. The transmission quality is usually completely sufficient without noticeable quality restrictions. Unfortunately, it is not easy to tell from the cable which HDMI version it is. In the best case, take a look at the packaging or the enclosed data sheet. In the shop or on the Internet, the type or version designation must be included anyway. On some older cables, the technical information is printed on the cable insulation..