Guide: How to Buy an HDMI 2.1 Display and a Real HDMI 2.1 Cable

Introduction

The news we broke this week about the HDMI 2.1 certification has spread like wildfire and been picked up by pretty much all the major tech outlets. Our thanks to everyone who helped spread the word, educate consumers and of course for crediting us as the source. Given the mass concern with this approach to the certification and naming scheme, we thought we would write a guide on what you should now look out for if they are trying to buy a display or cable which they want to include the capabilities associated with HDMI 2.1. Don’t make any assumptions when you see HDMI 2.1 on its own! We will continue to test and validate capabilities for all the displays we test.

1) Understand the capabilities of the device you want to use on your display

It’s probably worth considering first of all what capabilities you NEED the display to support in terms of things like bandwidth, resolution, refresh rate, features like VRR and ALLM etc. As an example, and this will vary from device to device, the Sony PS5 can run at 32 Gbps max output, with 4K 120Hz 4:2:2 chroma, it does not (currently) support VRR (variable Refresh Rates) or ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Maybe you just want a display ready to handle all these things anyway for the future, and that’s perfectly reasonable, but just keep in mind you may not need all the HDMI 2.1 optional features perhaps.

2) Things to look out for in an “HDMI 2.1” display

Given that we know now that you might not be able to trust the “HDMI 2.1” branding or name on its own, when selecting a display you’re going to have to delve in to the specs in a bit more detail. Ideally these things would also be confirmed by third party testers and reviewers, but here’s a list of things you’d need to look for in the product specs and marketing – don’t just assume the HDMI 2.1 name is enough!

Resolution and Refresh Rate

Bandwidth

Variable Refresh Rates (VRR)

ALLM, eARC and other features

Specs you want for an Xbox Series X display

If you want “true” HDMI 2.1 for an Xbox Series X you want a display advertised with:

1. At least 40 Gbps (the max of the console)
2. With 4K 120Hz uncompressed signal and with 10-bit 4:4:4 chroma
3. With VRR over HDMI specified (either HDMI-VRR or adaptive-sync/FreeSync over HDMI will work here)
4. If it’s a TV you probably want ALLM listed, if it’s a monitor you probably don’t need that feature

Specs you want for a PlayStation 5 display

If you want “true” HDMI 2.1 for a PS5 you want a display advertised with:

1. At least 32 Gbps (the max of the console)
2. With 4K 120Hz signal and with at least 10-bit 4:2:2 chroma (the max of the console)
3. With VRR over HDMI specified using HDMI-VRR (for possible future support)
4. If it’s a TV you probably want ALLM listed, if it’s a monitor you probably don’t need that feature (for possible future support)

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3) How to buy a real HDMI 2.1 cable

This is unfortunately an equally murky area of the market. It’s difficult to guarantee one of the massive range of cables will work as expected as there’s quite a few variables to consider, but there are a few things that should help you find one for your HDMI 2.1 devices.

HDMI org have tried to define a testing process, certification programme and provide guidelines for how cables should be marketed, but unfortunately things have not really been followed or policed. HDMI org say that “NO use of version numbers is allowed in the labelling, packaging, or promotion of any cable product.” – you only have to go on Amazon (affiliate link) to realise that is not being followed at all!

You can see the widespread use of the the HDMI 2.1 name here which is against the official guidelines from the HDMI LA. There’s also a mind boggling range of specs, features, capabilities etc listed making it super-confusing for a consumer to choose a product.

There are certain things you can look out for when buying a new cable that should help thankfully.

Use the cable provided with the device

This is the obvious, easiest and cheapest solution. Most decent displays with HDMI 2.1 capabilities, and most decent devices (including the Xbox Series X and PS5) come with their own HDMI 2.1 cable. This is normally one certified as ‘Ultra High speed HDMI’ as well, discussed below. Don’t bother spending loads on a more expensive cable with a load of snake oil marketing if your device came with one already.

Look out for the ‘Ultra High Speed HDMI cable’ name

If you do need to buy a separate cable, a new cable type was specifically introduced and designed to support the modern bandwidths and features people associate with HDMI 2.1 including bandwidths up to 48 Gbps and uncompressed 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz signals. They are of course backwards compatible with older connections offering HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 features. These are the so-called ‘Ultra High Speed HDMI cables’ and are improved and updated since the older generation of ‘Premium High Speed’ cables from the older HDMI 2.0 generation.

There is an “Ultra High Speed HDMI certification program” which HDMI org claim is “a mandatory certification program for all Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables; and ensures quality Ultra High Speed HDMI Cables reach the market and support 4K and 8K video, HDR, VRR, eARC, and all other HDMI 2.1 features. Cables are also required to be tested and certified to ensure low EMI to reduce the possibility of interference with wireless networks, streaming media players, Bluetooth devices and mobile phones.”

They go on to explain that “All certified cables of any length must pass certification testing at an HDMI Forum Authorized Testing Center (Forum ATC). Once certified, cables will be required to affix an Ultra High Speed HDMI Certification Label to each package or unit of sale enabling consumers to verify the certification status of the product.” Sometimes this specific name is used in the marketing, sometimes you have to dig in to the specs to find this certification.

Make sure it comes with the official label

If you don’t want to rely purely on the name (which is probably wise) then fortunately there’s another way you can identify if the cable is an ‘Ultra High Speed HDMI cable’:

As HDMI org explain, “the label has two main functions. First, it prevents counterfeiting and protects the manufacturers, enables each package to be traceable back to its source, and enables consumers and the industry to scan the QR code and security hologram to verify the brand name, model number, length and that it is a certified cable registered in the HDMI LA verification system. Secondly, it cuts through the confusion sometimes found in resellers’ marketing that might include variations on the cable name or claims about supporting certain bandwidths or features, by ensuring consumers and end-users that all they need to do is look for the label to know the cable is an official Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable.”

While you may of course find other cables advertised for HDMI 2.1 that don’t carry these certifications and logos, HDMI org say that buying one of these specific cables “is the best way to ensure that high-bandwidth dependent features are delivered, including the enhanced video and audio performance, while ensuring the new EMI requirements are met.”

The other option – trust listed specs and capabilities?

There’s a massive range of cables available in the market that do not market themselves under this official HDMI org scheme, and don’t have the label discussed above, but are nevertheless listed as HDMI 2.1. They come in a wide range of price points and they normally talk about every capability under the sun in their specs and product title. You could of course take this on face value, although we would advise caution with that approach as who knows what you would really get!

Linus Tech Tips recently posted a video (Nov 2021) where they tested 53 cables from 17 different manufacturers and that’s well worth a watch:

If the official ‘Ultra High Speed’ certification is not mentioned that would be a bit of a red flag to us to be honest and it would be a safer bet to find one with the official label.

You could take a punt but if you do, like when selecting a display, at least make sure that the features and capabilities you want are specifically listed in case you need to return it if it doesn’t work as expected. Like with displays, if it’s not listed, assume it’s not supported. You don’t want to end up with an old generation cable that can’t even support the new bandwidths. Look out for 48Gbps bandwidth, 4K 120Hz uncompressed video, VRR, ALLM, eARC etc specifically listed. You’re still taking a bigger risk that the cable hasn’t been officially certified though as Linus and team discovered in their testing.

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