The world of HDMI has seen several marginal and some huge updates over the years.
Whether we’re discussing mini HDMI cables or the latest standard of HDMI (2.1), the goal has always been to provide a high resolution within a fraction of a second.
Because so many devices support HDMI cables, they have become the go-to solution.
Be it a gaming console, soundbar, TV, computer, or set-up box, almost everything with a display may support HDMI.
The latest standard of HDMI is 2.1, which is already available on a few TVs and consoles.
It brings certain impressive upgrades that may take content consumption to the next level.
But one may wonder if their TVs support HDMI 2.1.
Read on as we answer your question.
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What is HDMI 2.1?
Visually, HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 cables aren’t too different.
But when you consider its ability to support 10K content and the massive increase in bandwidth, the differences become apparent.
It also has an improved audio return channel (ARC), which can deliver a more pleasing gaming experience.
HDMI 2.1 is mostly found on the latest models from TCL, LG, Samsung, and Sony, and it is also being used by the next-gen gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.
So to ensure you enjoy your gaming console to its absolute potential, you’ll need a TV that supports HDMI 2.1.
However, it’s not essential to get HDMI 2.1.
If you’re on a tight budget and are looking for a TV, a TV that doesn’t support HDMI 2.1 isn’t a bad choice.
Next-gen consoles will still work their wonders.
However, if you get a TV that supports HDMI 2.1, you’ll also have to get an HDMI 2.1 cable.
That’s because the latest standard of HDMI triples the amount of data that can flow through the cable.
It may be possible to use a Certified High-Speed HDMI cable with an HDMI 2.1 device in a few rare instances.
Moreover, the latest standard of HDMI also paves the way for higher refresh rates.
To put that into perspective, an HDMI 2.1 cable can display 60 frames per second while supporting a resolution of up to 8K.
However, 8K resolutions on HDMI 2.0 can only be displayed at 30 frames per second.
With HDMI 2.1, you can view 8K and 10K resolutions at 120 frames per second.
That is a massive leap in the right direction since 2021 saw several 8K TVs being introduced in the market.
What Difference Can Bandwidth Make?
In the world of HDMI, higher bandwidth means that you can pass more information through a cable.
As you may have guessed, higher resolutions and higher refresh rates require a lot of space.
To deal with this problem, HDMI 2.1 comes with an increased bandwidth of 48 GB/second.
While HDMI 2.0 could transport 24 GB/second.
That said, the most prominent benefit of HDMI 2.1, ironically, does not have anything to do with video.
In HDMI generations of the past, HDMI allowed Audio Return Channel or ARC.
Because of ARC, audio could be sent to your audio output and your TV.
On the other hand, HDMI 2.1 will come with a feature called eARC.
This will expand the audio’s bandwidth, which will let more audio be passed through the cable.
This will ultimately mean that your movies, TV shows, video games, and videos will all sound a lot better.
Moreover, HDMI 2.1 is also equipped with Dynamic HDR.
Dynamic HDR allows for more HDR data to be sent through the wire.
How Do I Know If My TV Has HDMI 2.1 Ports?
If you’re buying the TV from a store, ask the salesperson, and they’ll tell you if the TV has HDMI 2.1 ports.
If you’re looking specifically for TVs with 2.1 ports, you can tell them, and they’ll show you relevant options.
However, if you’ve already bought the TV, you can also read through the instructions labeled on its box.
Most boxes list the features that your TV is equipped with.
Some features you can see on a TV’s box are:
- HDMI compatibility
- TV’s resolution
- Operating System (Android or Linux)
- TV’s memory (HDD and RAM both)
- Size of the TV
On the off chance the HDMI compatibility isn’t written on the box, you can go through the TV’s manual, and you may find your answer there.
If you can’t find the manual, consider Googling your TV’s model.
Most manufacturers list their latest models on their website with all the features.
If your TV isn’t listed on the website, consider contacting customer support via email or a phone call.
What TV Has HDMI 2.1 ports?
Even though HDMI 2.1 technology is still new, several major manufacturers started offering options with HDMI 2.1 just a couple of years ago.
But even though there are several TVs with the latest HDMI technology in the market nowadays, some stand out from the rest.
Those TVs are:
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Conclusion
There are no two opinions about the fact that HDMI 2.1 opens up a world of new possibilities.
Even though the best TVs from major manufacturers may be expensive, that’s not where this wave stops.
With time, the good news is that more devices with HDMI 2.1 functionality will become available, and it will soon be the standard for content consumption.
But even though HDMI 2.1 ports are backward compatible, we wouldn’t recommend using a mismatched port and cable.
FAQs
Do 2019 TVs have HDMI 2.1?
Depends on the TV you get. TVs from LG like:
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
All have HDMI 2.1 capability, and these TVs came out in 2019.
Sony’s ZG9 can also support HDMI 2.1, and it came out in 2019, too.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.