Don’t buy the wrong HDMI cable! | Buying HDMI 2.1 cables

Don’t buy the wrong HDMI cable! | Buying HDMI 2.1 cables

Things have changed since HDMI 2.1 and associated features like 4K 120 Hz, eARC, and VRR have grown more prevalent. The old rules no longer apply, so here’s what to consider when getting new HDMI cables for your new gear.

Our top TVs you can buy right now on Amazon:
Hisense U7H: https://amzn.to/3tYnH09
Hisense U8H: https://amzn.to/3V65zgI
TCL 6-Series R655: https://amzn.to/3XvBbhx
Sony X95K: https://amzn.to/3GHJOj4
Samsung QN90B: https://amzn.to/3U4p73A
Samsung S95B: https://amzn.to/3Ovj4E4
LG C2: https://amzn.to/3EBHmbf
Sony A95K: https://amzn.to/3GHK15Q
LG Z2 OLED: https://amzn.to/3GH5ID5

More HDMI buying advice from Digital Trends:
Your old HDMI cable isn’t good enough anymore. Here’s why: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/how-to-choose-an-hdmi-cable/
The best HDMI cables you can buy: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-hdmi-cables/
Addition of Cable Power to HDMI simplifies longer cable runs: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/hdmi-2-1-a-amendment-1-cable-power-ultra-high-speed-long-runs/
HDMI ARC and eARC explained: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/hdmi-arc-explained-works-care/
HDMI 2.1: What it is and why your next TV should have it: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/hdmi-explained-everything-you-need-to-know-news-specs/
How to get your collection of tangled cables under control: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-clean-your-cable-collection/
hDMI 2.1 failure discussion: https://youtu.be/1IoyrUntMII
CTA and CEDIA HDMI system design and verification recommended practice: https://cedia.net/product.aspx

00:00 Intro
01:30 HDMI basics
03:50 Understanding HDMI 2.1
07:24 What to look for
09:41 HDMI AOC & Cable Power
10:49 In-wall use

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50 Comments

  1. HDMI cable is ALL made the same. A quality cable is a quality cable, and the bandwidth rarely exceeded the cable’s capacity. Now, that same well-built cable is perfectly fine transmitting 40gb, but just not as far. I have older 45ft cables made by a Blue Jean type Cable company that easily transmit 1080p signals and 4k but choke on HDR, when the bandwidth requirements exceed what’s available. There is a reason why 2.1 rated cables are only rated to about 15ft… it’s essentially “well made cable” with its bandwidth limits dictating its length.

  2. At index 8:40 you said "Your best not to buy a cable under 1 meter or 6 feet" and then repeat the same thing again several more times in one version or another speaking as though they were similar or equivalent lengths. But 1M is not the same as 6′ or even close… 1 meter is only 3.28 feet and 6 feet is actually 1.82 meters, 2 meters is 6.56 feet (some sellers offer 2m lengths). So are you saying either length is OK even as short as 1m/3.28 feet, or are you saying stay above 6 feet which would actually be 1.82m?

  3. Thanks for the video, actually learned alot from your information. I have a question, I looked at some of the HDMI AOC cables on Amazon and noted all the good reviews of connected from source to monitors. Know one mentioned connected from source to receiver to monitor. I see where it shows cables are unidirectional. I couldn’t find anything info on connecting to receiver. Can this be achieved or am I missing something ? Thanks in advance.

  4. There’s some good information in this video, but it’s interspersed between random useless digression. You’ve simplified it so much that it’s now useless information for everybody.

  5. I’m either extremely unlucky or there are a lot of junk cables out there. I bought 5 different 3ft 2.1 HDMI cables, and they all had issues. 3 would drop the signal no matter what TV and device I plugged it into. The other 2 couldn’t carry a TrueHD Atmos signal, so I would get audio drops and pops frequently. I am desperate to find a good cable capable of 4k HDR10+ with TrueHD Atmos.

  6. Please help I’m confused. I have a 4K Amazon Fire cube and a 4K TV.
    Which HDMI cable should I get ? High speed or Ultra high speed ? 2meters I need.

  7. It wound be more helpful for you to just recommend brands. Not all of us are in the know about these things or have “trusted brands”. Felt like a waste watching this.

  8. Late, but I just bought an OLED TV and soundbar, my first soundbar, and looking to understand the best set up led me to your optical vs HDMI video, breadcrumbed me to this one. Went to your site to see which cables you recommend…long story to thank you for saving me money. I wound up getting the 3 pack of color coded cables for half the price of the recommended cable, which may be great but seemed a rip-off. I appreciate it. The TV was quite expensive for me so not spending more than necessary on cables is appreciated.

  9. So do I need to have 2.1 or will my 12 year old high end monster cable work with my new Sony 4K oled? Cable is only about 4 feet. Ipick tv up tomorrow .

  10. Thanks for the video Caleb great information I’m not sure you’ll get this message because it’s on a pretty old video but in case you do, I have a question. I bought a Dolby Atmos Vizio sound bar because it was in my budget and fit in my space. I am only able to use the optical input so I’m missing out on any Atmos options because when I use the HDMIARC the picture and sound will just cut out randomly as I’m watching the show or movie. Is this something that is likely caused by a inferior HDMI cable?

  11. For those on a budget, Amazon Basics HDMI cables can be a great option. Right now, you can get a 1 meter, 48gbps HMDI2.1 Amazon Basics HDMI cable for just $6.39.

  12. What brand would be for the best for the price, and why the wires with silver make a better picture, (which cost 2000 dollars!) Can this amount of silver be an investment?

  13. Just bought an Xbox Series X and have a 2017 Samsung television. Not sure if it’s going to work when I hook it up.

  14. Back in the day I was stupid enough to buy $80 audioquest hdmi cables. Sure they looks very nice but no bump in image quality obviously. Luckily I was able to sell them a few years later for $50 each. Now I just buy hdmi cables on Amazon, the ones I have now were $20 each and honestly I think that was too much lol. You really shouldn’t pay more than $10 for an hdmi cable if it’s around 6 feet.

  15. For the longest time I used a R2000 ($100), 2m cable from my Samsung QLED tv to my Denon AVR. Recently changed it to a R199 ($10), 3m cable. I don’t have the specs of these cables but I can say the cheaper cable improved the picture. I’m still sing the more expensive cable from my Apple TV to the AVR, and it seems to work fine. Issue is only when I reconnect it to the tv.

  16. I’ve been lucky and bought an OLED with two 2.1 cable holes…
    Then I got a ps5 with a 2.1 cable and I plugged it into the 2.1 hole and everything was awesome 😎

  17. I’d like to know if Audioquest are worth the money, I mean i’m thinking of getting an Audioquest 48 1 metre cable to connect my LG 65QNED866 to my Sony PS5. Plus is there IN REALITY much if any difference in image quality between decent HDMI cables.

  18. we mainly customize HDMI DP TYPE C VGA DVI Cables for any request of your order. You just only let us know, 1080P, 4k, 8k request, and we would choose the right cable Cores and even with the IC to confirm the 4K, 8K such as cable adaptors dp-hdmi or type c to hdmi. for hdmi and dp cable, we could make up to 10meters by thickness 7.3mm cable,. for more 11-200meters we advice made by Aoc fiber cable which be proved nice solution. we support Customize any connector and length of cable.

  19. Hi Caleb. Do you think that if I have problems between my television and an ER sound bar that an AOC or powered cable could solve this problem?

  20. My issue has been that I have lip sync issues when i have my audio going to my receiver and video going to my tv directly from the 4k player. I was initially losing connection so i upgraded the cables. That fixed the connection issue. But i just get the audio to sync up. Even after playing with all the audio settings on the tv, player, and receiver

  21. I found this channel looking for a specific Denon review. I found that your knowledge and completely usable and understandable material is refreshing. One comment is I have a bit of hearing loss, your voice is not only pleasant, but it’s extremely easy to hear and follow. That’s more important than I can say. Please keep up the good videos.😎

  22. Hey everyone. A lot of concern out there that I don’t know my meters-to-feet conversion. So let me clarify here: When I say “about 6 feet” etc. I’m referring to lengths commonly sold in the U.S. Most HDMI cables are marketed in whole numbers of feet Hope that helps.

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