These numbers refer to the capabilities of the HDMI circuit boards inside your devices. So, an HDMI 2.0 cable doesn't exist. There are currently 3 standards of HDMI cable – category 1 (standard), category 2 (high-speed and premium high-speed) and category 3 (ultra high-speed).
Since the 10.2Gbps bandwidth of Category 2 cables was good for 4K until 30Hz, the HDMI 2.0 specification introduced Premium High Speed (or Category 3) HDMI cables capable of pushing data transfer rates of 18Gbps. These Category 3 HDMI cables can achieve 4K at 60Hz, while allowing 1080p displays to run at 120Hz.
The shape of the port doesn't matter but the version of the hdmi port do matter. Basically the higher version the faster the port usually is. For example for 4K video you might want a port of at least version 1.4. But these also means every device used needs to be at this version for it to have any meaning.
HDMI, or “High-Definition Media Input,” is the go-to port for all your modern devices.
The labels are only there so that when you switch between input sources on your TV, you'll be able to tell what port represents your desired source. Set your TV on HDMI 1 if your input device is in the HDMI 1 port. If the input device is on the HDMI 2, set your TV on HDMI 2. It's that simple!
Make sure the TV is set to the correct video input to receive the HDMI signal. Most TV remotes have an Input button that cycles from one input to the next. Press the Input button repeatedly until the correct HDMI input is displayed on the TV. Be sure to check which input on the TV you are connecting to.
Category 1 vs Category 2
To make things more confusing there are now two main categories for HDMI cables: Category 1 (standard cable): Capable of speeds up to 4.95Gbps and resolutions of up to 1080i. Category 2 (high-speed cable): Capable of speeds up to 10.2Gbps.
We recommend most people stick to the HDMI 2.0a connections that are on current TVs. For higher bandwidth and advanced features, however, you will need to make sure that your HDMI cables match the format of the ports and devices you're using.
The HDMI 2.1 specification can handle 4K and 8K video at up to 120 frames per second with room to spare. If you aren't planning to get an 8K TV just yet, the 2.1 standard is mostly important for high-end gaming, due to the potential of 4K signals at frame rates higher than 60fps coming from gaming PCs and consoles.
All HDMI ports look the same, but don't have the same capabilities. While you can still pretty much assume that what you plug in will work, how it works is up for debate, and whether you're getting the absolute best out of your equipment depends on whether it all supports the highest level of the protocols.
Currently, five standard HDMI cable connector types are available, namely: Type A (standard) Type B (dual-link - not currently used in mainstream consumer products) Type C (mini)
In most cases, you should look for an HDTV that has at least three HDMI inputs, but four is preferred for additional flexibility. No matter the setup, the number of HDMI inputs should equal the number of devices you have.
If you want a quick and easy fix you'll need to purchase an HDMI switch, such as the SGEYR (on Amazon), and you don't want to confuse it with an HDMI splitter. A switch provides you with additional ports, while a splitter only sends the same signal from one connected device to multiple TVs in the house.
Also known as Category 3 HDMI or "Ultra High Speed" HDMI, the cable is designed to support the 48 Gbit/s bandwidth of HDMI 2.1, supporting 4K, 5K, 8K and 10K at 120 Hz. The cable is backwards compatible with the earlier HDMI devices, using existing HDMI type A, C and D connectors, and includes HDMI Ethernet.
Disconnect the HDMI cable from your source device and the TV and then reconnect making sure the connection is secure. If the issue continues, try using a different or new HDMI cable. Connect your source device to a different HDMI port on your TV, and then change the TV input to match the port used.
A "No Signal", "No Source", or "No Input" message will appear on your TV screen if the TV is not receiving a signal from your TV box. This is often a result of either the TV box being powered off, not being properly connected to the TV, or the TV being set to the wrong input.
HDMI 2.0 is an equipment standard created to support the increased bandwidth requirements of 4K Ultra HD displays. Because 4K displays have much higher resolution than previous technology, they require more audio and video data to be transmitted through the HDMI cable.
Disconnect the HDMI cable from the HDMI port of each connected device. While the TV is ON and the device is ON, reconnect the devices one by one, waiting until the TV recognizes the device or go to the HDMI input where the device is connected and test if the TV is displaying a picture and if the sound is heard.
2. Look for the HDMI 2.1 logo: HDMI 2.1 cables will have the HDMI 2.1 logo on the packaging or on the cable itself.
HDMI 2.0 is backward compatible. It would work with an HDMI 1.4 or an even older generation port and can use the same cables as before. However, 1.4 will limit the output to its capabilities, or 2.0 will not transfer its feature set to the output device that sports a previous-gen port.
Just make sure you get a switch and not a splitter. A switch lets you connect multiple gadgets to one port, but a splitter just lets you connect the same device to multiple screens. This is an excellent HDMI switch that adds three additional ports.
If your TV is not finding an HDMI signal from the HDMI port, it may need an HDMI reset. To reset the television's HDMI, unplug both the TV and all other connected devices. Then, disconnect all of the HDMI cables from both ends and reconnect them. Lastly, plug in all of the connected devices to the power.
Check the input selection of your TV to ensure it's set for the input connection used by the source device (cable box, satellite, DVD, Blu-ray Disc player). On your TV remote, press the Input, Source, or TV/VIDEO button to toggle you through your input connection options to ensure the correct connection is selected.
While an HDMI cable is not strictly required to use a smart TV, it's highly recommended for the best possible picture and sound quality, support for advanced features such as 4K and HDR, and a convenient way to connect multiple devices to your smart TV.