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As high definition AV technology continues to evolve, the HDMI specification for equipment and cabling is occasionally modified to ensure broad compatibility and maximum performance. Version 2.0 the most common current iteration of the HDMI spec as issued by HDMI Licensing, LLC. Newer 2.1 & even pending 2.3 specifications will demand ever greater levels of performance and quality. You need to plan now for future performance!
Maximum bandwidth in the HDMI 2.0 specs is 18Gbps. This bandwidth allows for support of 4K video resolutions at a higher frame rates with more detailed color information than previous HDMI specifications. This configuration will also support advanced audio streams.
Higher frame rates, up to 60Hz at a 4K resolution are supported within the HDMI 2.0 specs. This helps to reduce motion blur and lag and provides sufficient bandwidth for high dynamic range (HDR) and deep color content.
4:4:4 chroma subsampling per the HDMI 2.0 specs means that colors can be displayed uncompressed and in full resolution. Compliance with a 4:4:4 color spec is especially important when displaying content from computers and laptops.
Color bit depth has increased to 12-bit deep color with 4,096 shades per channel outlined within the HDMI 2.0 specs. This allows for smoother gradients in displayed images than previous HDMI Specifications.
HDR expands the range of both contrast and color allowing images to achieve greater levels of detail in both bright and dark sections of the image. HDMI 2.0 was the first HDMI specification to support this feature.
Support for advanced audio features such as DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD & Dolby ATMOS allow for superior audio performance versus previous HDMI specifications.
Is there an HDMI 2.0 cable?
The simple answer is no. As defined by HDMI 2.0 specs, there are four main HDMI cable types:
In addition to these main HDMI cable types, C2G Performance Series HDMI Cables are defined within the HDMI 2.0 specs. Please check back soon to learn more about our Performance Series HDMI Cables.
Does cable length impact available bandwidth?
The testing spec outlined within the HDMI 2.0 specs allow cables to be placed within these different categories; however, that categorization does not necessarily limit what features a cable is able to support. The bandwidth and length of an HDMI cable are inversely proportional to one another, meaning that a shorter length cable has a higher available bandwidth. Available bandwidth is one of the main determining factors of what AV features are supported by an HDMI cable.
At a shorter distance, typically up to 15 feet, most passive HDMI cables support the full spectrum of HDMI 2.0 features. A notable exception to that is support of the Ethernet channel, which requires one of the cable types that call out Ethernet support. At longer distances, an active HDMI cable or extension device may be required to support HDMI 2.0 features, these may fall into a few different categories.
Keep in mind that installing an HDMI cable or extension device that supports HDMI 2.0 features does not give AV equipment the ability to support those features. All AV equipment within the system must support a feature for it to be leveraged.
HDMI cable designed for use in desktop applications, up to 15ft. Available as a standard HDMI, along with HDMI Mini and HDMI Micro adapter cables.
HDMI cable that is more flexible and with a more compact connector than a standard HDMI cable, perfect for installation in tight spaces.
Plenum CMP or CL2P-Rated cables designed to support a 1080p resolution in commercial buildings.
Premium High Speed HDMI Cables are tested to conform with the Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program for highest performance and ultra-reliability.
Ultra flexible high speed HDMI cables designed for installation in tight spaces and high-density environments.
| HDMI Features | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full HD Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD video | ||||||
| Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) | ||||||
| DVD-Audio | — | |||||
| Super Audio CD (DSD) | — | — | ||||
| Auto lip-sync | — | — | — | |||
| Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream capable | — | — | — | |||
| Updated list of CEC commands | — | — | — | |||
| 3D video | — | — | — | — | ||
| Ethernet channel (100Mbps) | — | — | — | — | ||
| Audio return channel (ARC) | — | — | — | — | ||
| 4 audio streams | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2 video streams (Dual View) | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Static HDR | — | — | — | — | — |
HDMI 2.0, which is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI specification, significantly increases bandwidth up to 18Gbps and adds key enhancements to support market requirements for enhancing the consumer video and audio experience.
HDMI 2.0 significantly increases bandwidth to 18Gbps and includes the following advanced features:
No, HDMI 2.0 is built on top of HDMI 1.x and any device that wants to implement HDMI 2.0 must first implement HDMI 1.x as a baseline requirement.
Yes, all HDMI versions are fully backward compatible with all previous versions.
No, HDMI 2.0 uses the existing connectors.
No, HDMI 2.0 features will work with existing HDMI cables. Higher bandwidth features, such as 4K@50/60 (2160p) video formats, will require existing High Speed HDMI cables (Category 2 cables).
Currently, there are no provisions for doing such an upgrade. Because of the new enhanced feature set, any such conversion would require hardware and/or firmware upgrades. If there are such conversions, it would come from the manufacturer. Please check with them directly.
No, the existing testing policies continue to apply to HDMI 2.0.
Each individual ATC will decide on when to offer HDMI 2.0 testing services. Please contact your local ATC for more information.
All HDMI 2.0 features must be compliance tested with the HDMI Compliance Test Specification (CTS) 2.0 and all HDMI 2.0 devices must also be compliant with the HDMI CTS 1.4b.
The HDMI 2.0 Compliance Test Specification (CTS) is expected to be released before the end of 2013.
Please visit the HDMI.org website at: HDMI Licensing
Please visit our informational page on HDMI 1.4.
