An HDMI port lets your TV seamlessly connect and communicate with external devices, such as laptops, gaming consoles, etc. Most TVs come with one or two HDMI ports — the latter being a more common occurrence. In addition, your TV could also have DisplayPort, USB port(s), RCA, VGA, etc.
HDMI gets preferential treatment because it’s a lot more common and reliable. DisplayPort is the only interface that gives HDMI a solid run for its money and, at times, surpasses HDMI with its most recent release.
But the vital question is, if HDMI is so popular, why don’t televisions come with more than one or two HDMI ports? If space is a concern, why aren’t manufacturers chucking out the other, “seemingly not very popular” audio-video interfaces to make extra space for more HDMI ports?
Those are certainly valid questions that require addressing. And we do that precisely in this article, throwing light on the two-HDMI-port-situation with TVs in general.
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Why Do TVs Only Have 2 HDMI Ports?
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Televisions have two HDMI ports because manufacturers generally believe most users will not need to simultaneously use more than two HDMI ports. And if they do, they can always add more ports through an external device.
Back in the day, when gaming consoles, streaming devices, etc., were not as common ubiquitous as they are today, TV makers had no incentive or need to jack up the port situation on their products.
As a result, every time companies refreshed a product line, they placed major emphasis on the display technologies and audio aspects of their products and only briefly reassessed the port setup.
In 2021, the industry dynamics and user requirements have changed, and, thankfully, brands are taking note. They have started adding more HDMI ports to their newest offerings. It’s, therefore, no longer uncommon to see HDTVs sporting three, four, or even five integrated HDMI ports.
Can I Use the Two HDMI Ports at the Same Time?
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The two HDMI ports at the rear of your TV are not meant to be or cannot be used simultaneously, as there’s only a single screen to display the inputted content.
You may, however, hook on two devices to your TV using the two ports and alternate between them so that you don’t have to plug in and plug out the cords each time you need to make a switch.
For instance, you may have a cable TV box and DVD player linked to your TV at once or a streaming device and a gaming console.
Kindly note that each time you plug and unplug from your TV, the port experiences wear, potentially hurting its lifespan. Therefore, if your TV has just one HDMI port and you have multiple devices to connect, use an HDMI switch or hub to prevent port wear.
Are 2 HDMI Ports Enough?
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Two HDMI ports on your TV may have been good enough during the late 2000s and early 2010s. But, in the 2020s, two HDMI ports barely cut it, thanks to multiple HDMI-equipped devices you may plug into your TV and make optimal use of the high-quality displays.
For example, if your HDTV has just a couple of HDMI input ports and you need to connect them to a streaming device, cable box, and a gaming console simultaneously, the two ports would feel lacking.
That said, many users still get by fine with 2 HDMI ports on their TVs. And if they need more, they use an HDMI switch.
How Many HDMI Ports Should a TV Have?
The ideal number of HDMI ports on a TV is a figure not set in stone. Based on the user’s requirements, the need for a certain number of ports could vary. However, as alluded to above, three to four ports are optimal.
Kindly note, if your TV has just a port or two, we don’t recommend you buy a new television. But if you are looking for a new TV anyway, make sure the ports are in abundant supply.
The following are some excellent options:
- Insignia NS-32DF310NA19 32-inch Smart HD TV
- TCL 65-inch 5-Series 4K UHD Smart TV
- Hisense 43-inch Class R6090G 4K UHD Smart TV
- Sceptre X405BV-FSR 40-Inch FHD LED TV
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.
If you are a Samsung, Sony, or LG fan, be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars more on the purchase.
Port Placement is Important
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While the number of HDMI ports on your TV is an important attribute, equally crucial is how and where they are positioned on the television.
If they are located too close to each other, for instance, you may have a hard time using them in tandem. The hoods of the HDMI cables you use could be too thick and may come in each other’s paths.
Also, if you’re mounting the TV, side-positioned HDMI ports are ideal as they are easily accessible when the television is stuck flat against the wall. The ports’ positioning won’t matter much if you place the TV on a stand.
Can I Increase the Number of HDMI Ports on My TV?
You can undoubtedly increase the number of HDMI ports on your TV by hooking it up with a third-party accessory such as an HDMI switch. Besides offering you more HDMI input ports to work with, an HDMI switch reduces potential wear and tear on your TV’s built-in ports.
- VWRHar HDMI Switch 2 In 1 Out
- UGREEN HDMI Switch 3 In 1 Out
- Amazon Basics 4K HDMI 5-Port Switch
- Awakelion 4K HDMI 5-Port Switch
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.
Some switches have a large footprint and come with a dedicated remote for easy switching between ports. A few others are compact enough to go behind your television and remain entirely out of sight.
The ones mentioned above come with a remote, except for the VWRHar switch, which is relatively tiny.
Also, if you’d like to hook up a switch that connects your source device to your TV but runs audio from external speakers, you may consider an HDMI switch with audio extraction capabilities.
- NEWCARE 4×1 HDMI Switch Audio Extractor
- Proster Prozor 3×1 HDMI Switch with Audio Extractor
- FERRISA 4×2 HDMI Matrix Switch
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
For the audio extractor to work, plug in the 3.5mm cable from your audio device. To see how it’s done, watch the video:
Kindly note, these switches would likely not come with an HDMI cable bundled in. Therefore, buy a cord separately if you don’t have one.
Things to Consider When Buying an HDMI Switch
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Apart from audio extraction capabilities, consider the following when shopping for a switch.
- Look for an HDMI switch that sports more input ports than what you need. Having a port or two free on the switch at any given time doesn’t hurt.
- HDMI 2.0 is mandatory to stream 4K content without issues. Even if your TV and input sources are not capable of 4K, you’d likely upgrade your setup one day, and those additional ports shall save your sinking boat then.
Kindly note, HDMI is backward-compatible. That means you can’t upgrade an HDMI 1.4 port to 2.0, but the opposite is supported.
FAQ
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Is it worth buying a TV with multiple HDMI ports over a TV with just one?
In a world where HDMI switches exist, a TV with a single HDMI port would seem just fine. But if you want a clutter-free space and not deal with two remotes (TV and switch), a TV with three or more HDMI ports is recommended.
But, as mentioned earlier, do not replace your existing, working-perfectly-fine TV with a new television just because you need more ports to play with. There are more than a handful of small enough HDMI switches that can be hidden out of sight.
Conclusion
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Of all the audio-video ports a TV or any device with a large display could have, HDMI is arguably the most vital. Though other types do the job, perhaps none are as reliable, universal, and cross-device as HDMI. Most TVs, therefore, have at least two HDMI ports.
While the question of whether TVs should have more than two HDMI ports has its takers, more than 3 or 4 HDMI ports on a TV would be an overkill and an unnecessary waste of port space, irrespective of how advanced the TV is or how large its display is.
If you’re out shopping for a TV, make sure the television has the number of ports you realistically need. If you seek a TV with more built-in ports without increasing your budget outside your financial comfort zone, use an HDMI switch to make up for the shortcoming.
We cannot stress enough how cost-efficient a solution an HDMI switch offers.
Catherine Tramell has been covering technology as a freelance writer for over a decade. She has been writing for Pointer Clicker for over a year, further expanding her expertise as a tech columnist. Catherine likes spending time with her family and friends and her pastimes are reading books and news articles.