Since, in terms of physical appearance, HDMI cables look very similar, manufacturers labeled HDMI 1.4, 2.0, and 2.1 cables to enable users to differentiate the cables. This helps users avoid accidentally using the wrong cable with a different version port. Will HDMI 2.0 cable work with a 1.4 port? The answer to your question is yes. Read the article below to find out why.
Table of Contents
- What are HDMI 2.0 Cables?
- Will HDMI 2.0 Cable Work With A 1.4 Port?
- Will HDMI 2.0 Cable Work With 2.1 Ports?
- Conclusion
What are HDMI 2.0 Cables?
It’s important to note that there’s no such thing as a HDMI 2.0 cable.
However, HDMI cables are available in various types, each meeting a specific performance standard. In simple terms, think of it as different versions of the same thing.
They’re referred to as 2.0 HDMI cables since certain cable types(Premium High-Speed Cables) can support the performance standard of the HDMI 2.0 interface version.
HDMI Interface Version
The HDMI version of the output and input ports found on the source (gaming console, PC, etc.) and display device (TV, projector, etc.) determines the capabilities of the HDMI interface.
This includes a certain refresh rate, audio formats and resolution.
The table below shows the capabilities of various HDMI interface versions.
| Version | Audio Support | Video | ||
| Maximum Transmission Rate | HDR | Maximum Resolution at Refresh Rate | ||
| HDMI 1.0 | 8 audio channels | 4.95 Gbps | No | 1080p at 60 Hz |
| HDMI 1.1 and 1.2 | DVD audio, 1-bit audio | 4.95 Gbps | No | 1440p at 30 Hz |
| HDMI 1.3 and 1.4 | DTS HD, ARC, Dolby TrueHD | 10.2 Gbps | No | 4K at 60 Hz |
| HDMI 2.0 | DRA, 32 audio channels, HE-AAC | 18 Gbps | Yes | 5K at 30 Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 | eARC | 48 Gbps | Yes | 8K at 30 Hz |
HDMI Cable Type/Version
There’s nothing like an HDMI cable version because HDMI cables don’t have ICs or controllers that you can update with drivers and software.
HDMI cables are wires that convey signals from point A to point B.
However, the quality of the wiring used determines the particular type of HDMI cable regarding performance standards.
Therefore, there’s no HDMI 2.0 cable but a Premium High-Speed cable that supports HDMI 2.0 specifications.
Often, the expert makes sense of Premium High-Speed cables as HDMI 2.0 cables, which, to a newbie, could be very confusing.
The performance standards of HDMI cables can vary, so some cables cannot carry high data rates generated by modern HDMI 2.0 ports.
Below is a table showing various types of HDMI cables classified by performance standards.
| Type of Cable | Supported HDMI Version |
| Standard Cable | 1.0 – 1.2a |
| High Speed Cable | 1.3 – 1.4a |
| High-Speed Cable | 2.0 a and b |
| Premium High-Speed Cable | 2.1 |
HDMI 1.4 vs HDMI 2.0: Side by Side Comparison
The table below shows a side-by-side comparison of HDMI 1.4 vs. HDMI 2.0.
| Feature | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 1.4 |
| Bandwidth | 18 Gbps | 10.2 Gbps |
| Refresh Rate | 1080p at 120 Hz and 4K at 50 Hz or 60 Hz | 1080p at 120 Hz and 4K up to 30 Hz |
| Color Combinations | 68.7 billion | 16.7 million |
| Color Palettes | 12 bit or 10-bit | 8-bit |
| Audio Channels | 32 | 8 |
| Deep Color and 3D | Yes | Yes |
| 12-bit or 10-bit | No | No |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Video | No | No |
| Supported Cables | High-Speed HDMI Cables | High Speed HDMI Cables |
Will HDMI 2.0 Cable Work With A 1.4 Port?
A HDMI 2.0 cable will connect to an HDMI 1.4 port because the design of HDMI cables and ports is identical across all generations.
However, the only setback would be lower performance or staging bound to the capabilities of the older generation port.
Simply put, you will not get the maximum performance your HDMI 2.0 cable offers, as the HDMI 1.4 port will cause a setback.
The HDMI backward compatibility is limited to basic functions, which means if you plug an HDMI cable into an HDMI port of any version, you will get audio and video without a doubt.
However, there’s no guarantee on HDR support, refresh rate, resolution, and features such as gaming technologies (auto low latency mode and variable refresh rate), eARC and ARC, and encryption technologies (chroma subsampling).
HDMI 2.0 can support 4K at 60 Hz or 5K at 30 Hz.
However, to enjoy such performance, your output and input device should also have an HDMI 2.0 port. Furthermore, the content source must also be 5K or 4K.
Therefore, if you use an HDMI 2.0 cable with an HDMI 1.4 port, you’re bound to HDMI 1.4 video quality. For instance, you can only enjoy 4K at 30 Hz, 2K at 60 Hz, and 1080p at 60 Hz.
In addition, HDMI 2.0 improves video quality and audio quality compared to HDMI 1.4.
For instance, HDMI 2.0 allows audio transmission of 32 audio channels, while HDMI 1.4 can only transmit 8-channel uncompressed digital audio.
Caption: HDMI Cable Connecting to HDMI Port on TV
Will HDMI 2.0 Cable Work With 2.1 Ports?
Once more, similar to HDMI 2.0 compatibility with previous HDMI standards, HDMI 2.0 cables will work just as well with HDMI 2.1 ports.
However, as you now know, the performance is bound to the capabilities of the HDMI 2.0 cable.
HDMI 2.0 offers a data transfer speed of up to 18 Gbps, which significantly improves from HDMI 1.4, which offers 10.2 Gbps.
On the other hand, HDMI 2.1 offers even better data transfer speeds with a whooping maximum transfer speed of 48 Gbps.
The increased bandwidth means 8K or 4K video output at a better frame rate and enhanced color depths (16 bits). The better the color depth, the more information goes into each pixel color.
To sum it up, the visual appeal would look much better on an HD TV that is part of an HDMI 2.1 setup.
Conclusion
HDMI 2.0 is backward compatible, meaning it can work with an HDMI 1.4 or even older generation port.
However, the HDMI 1.4 port will limit the output capabilities to its own, and you will expect to experience some functionality issues.
For example, lagging and inferior audio and video reproduction. Even if you connect a device that supports HDMI 2.1 capabilities, the HDMI 2.0 cable will limit it to its inferior capabilities.
For all your HDMI cable needs, feel free to contact Cloom Tech.
