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Apr 19, 2024

HDMI 2.1 vs. 2.0 vs. 1.4 Explained Simply

Even though the plug and socket are the same, there are numerous different HDMI standards. HDMI is HDMI, right? Well, it's not that simple. You'll see the same cable and port, but the standard may

Even though the plug and socket are the same, there are numerous different HDMI standards.

HDMI is HDMI, right? Well, it's not that simple. You'll see the same cable and port, but the standard may differ. We'll discuss the differences between HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and the current standard of HDMI 2.1.

HDMI 1.4 has a data transfer speed of 10.2Gbps and was the first to support 4K video, albeit limited to compressed 4K30. Almost no new hardware is released with this spec anymore, but you probably have a device that uses it, such as the original PS4 or Xbox One.

Peak video specs for this standard include 1080p60 and 4K30—most HDMI 1.4 devices will use one of these resolutions, though as high as 1080p120 may be supported on some HDMI 1.4 devices.

HDMI 2.0 has a data transfer speed of 18Gbps and strongly supports 4K and 1440p video. Many new devices still use this standard. Most 4K TVs, capture cards, higher-end laptops, and cameras only use HDMI 2.0 since 4K60 is still the standard for most video.

Peak video specs for HDMI 2.0 include 1080p240, 1440p144, and 4K60. These are the most common, highest-spec video resolutions and refresh rates for HDMI 2.0, though its bandwidth can support a wider array of video standards, even technically 8K30 on some devices. HDMI 2.0 additionally supports HDR (high dynamic range) for increased color depth and contrast range compared to SDR (standard dynamic range).

HDMI 2.1 has a data transfer speed of 48Gbps and is the first HDMI standard to support 8K video at high frame rates. The huge increase in data bandwidth allows for more features, like wider HDR (High Dynamic Range) support and completely uncompressed video.

While the HDMI 2.1 standard was announced in 2017, it wasn't until later that devices began incorporating this technology. Most new gaming consoles, such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and most PCs with new GPUs (anything post-Nvidia RTX 30-Series or AMD 6000-Series) support HDMI 2.1. Furthermore, HDMI 2.1 capture cards have just started production, so streamers can use their HDMI 2.1 devices while gaming and streaming.

Peak video specs for standard HDMI 2.1 include 8K60 and 4K144. Higher-spec video signals may be possible with HDMI 2.1 thanks to its huge data transfer bandwidth, but they are currently uncommon. Furthermore, many devices that fully use HDMI 2.1 are prohibitively expensive for most, such as 8K TVs or 4K144 gaming monitors.

In addition to raw resolution and frame rate, HDMI 2.1 also supports dynamic HDR (high dynamic range), which provides even more color depth than standard HDR, variable refresh rates (VRR), and more you can learn about on the HDMI website.

To recap, here are the key specs for each HDMI standard:

HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.0

HDMI 1.4

Data Bandwidth

48Gbps

18Gbps

10.2Gbps

Common Peak Resolutions / Framerates

4K144 8K60

1080p240 1440p144 4K60

1080p60 4K30

Key Additional Specs

Uncompressed Video Variable Refresh Rate Dynamic HDR

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Cable Name

Ultra High-Speed

Premium High-Speed

High-Speed

HDMI has been standard for well over 15 years. HDMI ports and cables haven't changed in appearance, but their specs and standards have. All HDMI cables are technically backward and forward compatible, but they have different data transfer standards, exact cable names, and multiple types of connectors.

The lowest-spec device or cable will bottleneck your signal in the signal chain. For example, an ultra high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable will work in an HDMI 1.4 device, but you'll be limited to the HDMI 1.4 video specs of the device—upgrading the cable will not increase output resolution.

An HDMI 2.1 device such as a PS5 can use a premium high-speed HDMI 2.0 cable, but you'll be limited to the HDMI 2.0 specs of the cable—you can't output 4K144 via HDMI 2.1 from your PS5 if your cable or monitor's cap is 4K60 via HDMI 2.0.

In short, ensure the standard for your cables, devices, and displays all match to make full use of each standard's speed. Use an ultra high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable with an HDMI 2.1 console, monitor, or TV. Conversely, consider using DisplayPort instead if applicable, as DisplayPort 2.1 boasts even higher video bandwidth capacity than HDMI 2.1.

HDMI 2.1's technology has been around for several years, but many devices that use the standard, like 8K TVs, are still overkill and prohibitively expensive for most. If you're satisfied with your HDMI 2.0 at 4K60, you can probably wait for prices to drop as HDMI 2.1 becomes more common.

Andy is a creator, marketer, and writer. His most recent employment was with AVerMedia as community manager for creator operations, handling all things social media, influencer relations, and more—if you have any questions related to webcams, capture cards, or similar devices, he's the one to ask! Technologically, he is passionate about making the most of his gear, including his full-fledged Apple ecosystem (with a Windows gaming PC), and finding new, unexpected ways of using his devices, such as streaming tools for productivity. Some of his additional interests include making content on his YouTube channel, improving his photography skills, learning languages, running, and making music, specifically the Ocarina, with his ensemble Ocabanda.