HDMI has become the standard connection for modern AV equipment, carrying both high-definition video and audio over a single cable between sources like games consoles, Blu-ray players and streaming devices, and your TV or AV receiver. As video resolutions and refresh rates have increased, so too have the bandwidth demands placed on HDMI cables, making it important to choose a cable correctly rated for your specific equipment and content.

For standard 4K content at typical frame rates, a High Speed HDMI cable is generally sufficient, while newer HDMI 2.1 features - including 4K at 120Hz, 8K resolution and advanced gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate - require an Ultra High Speed rated cable to reliably carry the increased bandwidth involved. Using an under-specified cable for these higher-bandwidth signals can result in dropouts, flickering or a complete failure to display the signal correctly.

Whether you're connecting a standard 4K TV setup or the latest generation of games consoles supporting advanced HDMI 2.1 features, choosing a correctly rated HDMI cable ensures a stable, reliable picture and sound.