Full HD TVs and monitors, depending on their refresh rate, will be able to play games in 60fps or 120fps. Nowadays, though, our old buddy can do much more than that, especially once you factor in the HDMI 2.1 specification. This latest HDMI spec has been bandied around for a couple of years now (hit the link for our earlier primer on it), but the latest consumer electronics are only now starting to support the new standard. And 2.1 brings with it some exciting "today" improvements—plus some future-looking potential—over existing HDMI specifications. With an eARC channel, you can enjoy the depth of movie theatre quality surround sound via DOLBY ATMOS and DTS:X. Due to the limitations of regular ARC, only eARC is able to process these formats.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it's important to note that 10K content isn't available yet. And while we saw 8K televisions at CES this year, 8K content available is really, really hard to come by. So, while HDMI 2.1 provides the opportunity to enjoy super-high-res content, you won't be able to experience it in any meaningful way soon. You should be able to get 4K/60, and a basic 8K/30, with current cables, but the rest will need an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. More on these new cables below. There are, however, exceptions that relate to HDMI 2.1. Both new consoles are capable of 4K up to 120 frames per second. Some new TVs can handle this higher frame rate. Almost no older TVs can, even those called "120Hz." The TV will need HDMI 2.1 to let the console run in all this high frame-rate glory. Your current HDMI cables probably won't be able to handle 4K120. You'll need to spend just a little extra on Ultra High Speed HDMI versions. There’s a lot to get excited about when it comes to HDMI connections and the Xbox Series X, as well as a lot to learn, which is why we’ve created this guide. It's easy for marketing messages to convince you that a fancy HDMI cable will do more than the others. But in reality, all you need is a cheap HDMI cable that can pass a 4K/60Hz signal reliably.

LG's OLEDs have supported HDMI 2.1 since 2019 (Image credit: Future / Jurassic World Evolution 2, Frontier) In 2022 an amendment to the specification for HDMI 2.1a was announced which introduced a new feature called HDMI Cable Power, which enables users to use HDMI cables that are much longer than are currently supported, without the need for a separate power connector. To take advantage of the feature, however, users will need to have both a new type of HDMI cable and an HDMI source device that supports the feature. We're yet to see any products announced that include it, but it's worth noting that new HDMI cables with Cable Power will ship with a separate power connector, normally a USB Micro-B or Type-C, for use with non-compatible source devices. The cable supports Dynamic HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X surround sound. Meanwhile, you can output to a display with up to an 8K resolution at 60Hz, as well as 4K at 120Hz.

One last thing to keep in mind: Not all TVs that claim HDMI 2.1 compatibility are actually capable of everything we've discussed. In fact, most aren't. A TV with a 4K120 input might also have eARC, but not necessarily on the same input. A TV might have eARC, but not have any high frame rate or high resolution inputs. It's confusing, to say the least. Best to do your homework on what models have what capabilities before you set your heart on something specific. In some cases manufacturers can add 2.1 features to already-sold TVs, but don't count on this. It's fairly rare and in some cases not possible because of hardware limitations. Bravissimo594 said:How is a single optical audio cable more of a "messy solution" than a single HDMI cable? Is it that the HDMI cable can allow powering up/down a sound system? HDMI 2.0 with Ethernet: identical specifications to standard HDMI 2.0 cables, except with the addition of Ethernet over HDMI support. A good example to use here is the difference between Monster Hunter: World on PS4 and the PS5. With this game, performance has nothing to do with the HDMI cable but instead your TV's refresh rate.This right-angled HDMI cables are designed for TV connections – or indeed any connections where there’s little available space – and can make all the difference in how you position your television. It’s available in lengths of 1.5m, 3.5m and 5m, with a 2.0 connection that will cover any 4K content you’re watching. The main sources that can take advantage of 2.1 right now are the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, as well as high-end graphics cards.

According to HDMI.org, if you currently use a standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High-Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet, you should be fine. Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables with Ethernet will definitely work. Active: An active HDMI cable has a small chip built into the cable that takes a little power from the device's HDMI connector and uses it to boost the HDMI signal. These cables cost a little extra, but are far more likely to work. A long passive cable might work for you, but it might not. It depends on your gear. Since they're not significantly more expensive, they're worth considering for any long run. Currently, it can be a hassle to sync the video from your TV with the audio from your receiver or soundbar. This is because the TV may be using a heavy amount of processing, while the audio system’s processing takes far less time than the video processing. How is a single optical audio cable more of a "messy solution" than a single HDMI cable? Is it that the HDMI cable can allow powering up/down a sound system? To get into the specifics here, this means on a technical side that the PS5's 2.1 HDMI has a bandwidth of 48Gbps, which is almost three times more than a 2.0b.The capabilities of your TV are crucial here too. If your TV doesn't support 4K resolutions, for example, you won't be able to play next-generation games at 4K. Most 4K TVs tend to come with three or four HDMI 2.0 ports as standard, whereas newer models are starting to ship with anywhere between one and four HDMI 2.1 ports – it really varies between TV brands, and you'll have to be careful you end up getting the inputs you need for your intended level of play. READ NEXT: The best 1080p, 1440p, 4K and ultrawide monitors Does the physical construction of the cable matter? This will simplify system setups dramatically because it means users can connect everything to their TV and then run a single HDMI cable to their receiver or soundbar without losing sound quality. Fewer cables, less mess, better sound! Dynamic HDR The only other "fail" mode of HDMI cables is sparkles. This looks like snow on the screen. It can be heavy enough to look like static, like an old TV tuned to a dead channel, or it can be random-but-regular flashes of white pixels. This means you'll need new cables. So don't rush out and buy Ultra High Speed cables unless you're sure you need them. But if you need new cables anyway, get Ultra High Speed as they'll offer a bit more future-proofing than other cables.

Picture the scene. You have a set-top box, games console and Blu-ray player all plugged into your TV via HDMI.If you've heard of HDR, you know it's a technology built into content and televisions that allows for expanded contrast and color in video, creating far more attractive visuals. It is important to note that while the Series X uses HDMI 2.1 as the connection, it doesn't mean your TV also needs to support HDMI 2.1. You can play over an HDMI 2.0 port and cable, just with a max 4K/30fps performance ceiling. Keep in mind there's no such thing as HDMI cable "versions." As in, there's no such thing as an "HDMI 2.0" cable. The version numbers refer to the physical connections in your TV, receiver or sound bar. So your TV and 4K Blu-ray player need to both have HDMI 2.0 to watch HDR content, but the cable connecting them couldn't care less. It's just a dumb pipe. If you want to keep hunting for the best deal, make sure the cable you're considering is either Premium Certified, says it can do 4K/60, or can handle 18Gbps bandwidth. And it's an added bonus if it has a great warranty like the Monoprice cables.