Current Events > Are those 4k HDMI cables ripoffs too?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I just got a 4K tv and I've never spend more than like 10 bucks on an HDMI cable. I'm assuming those 4K cables are the new "gold plated" ones, but I figured I'd ask regardless.
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Yes, hdmi work or it doesnt.
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there are different versions of hdmi cables with different capabilities. only some can do 4k i think? just buy it new and you should be fine.

but in general a 10 dollar hdmi cable isn't any different than a 100 dollar hdmi cable.

unless you're talking about this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJzibFTaqA" data-time="
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No difference

Might last longer, but thats about it
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Any cable over $10 is a rip-off
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Yes, ripoff. Under ~15 feet "quality" doesn't really matter when it comes to HDMI cables.
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but i would advise against buying like 2 dollar cables

i had some i got on amazon, and if i as much breathed on them wrong the image would just turn off. and i had to do A LOT of jiggling to get it back

just get some amazon basics.
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Basically it exist 4 HDMI standards (technically it exist some more because some includes Ethernet support, but I will leave that out for now).
The first HDMI cable is Category 1, or Standard, cables. They only needed to support a bandwidth of 4.95 Gbit/s, which basically means they support 720p60 and 1080i60.
1.3 added the Category 2, or High Speed, cables. They needed to support a bandwidth of 10.2 Gbit/s to support 1080p60, 4K30, 3D and deep color.
By that time, most HDMI cables were of a high enough standard to support the Category 2 requirements, but if you were unlucky enough to have a cheap enough cable... no 1080p for you!
2.0 introduced the Premium High Speed cables, which must be able to handle a bandwidth of 18.0 Gbit/s so it can display 4K60 and 5K30.
2.1 introduced the Ultra High Speed cable which must support a bandwidth of 48.0 Gbit/s so it can display 4K144, 5K120 and 8K120.

So to answer your question, no.
You cant watch 4K with a Standard cable.
You can only watch 4K30 with a High Speed cable.
If you want 4K60, then you need at least a Premium High Speed cable.
Ultra High Speed cables are overkill.
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Virtually all HDMI cables sold these days are category 2.0, even the cheap basic ones - none of them should have any trouble handling 4K signals

KiwiTerraRizing posted...

Yes, hdmi work or it doesnt.

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If you're thinking about paying $4000 for a cable you're insane

Woodger posted...

Virtually all HDMI cables sold these days are category 2.0, even the cheap basic ones - none of them should have any trouble handling 4K signals

I was in Target a few months ago to get a new HDMI cable. All the ones they had were 1.3. For example, I just checked their site and the first 3 on there are only 1.3. I ended up getting one at Best Buy.

https://www.target.com/p/ge-hdmi-cable-15ft-high-speed-with-ethernet-gold-connectors-black/-/A-14791661

https://www.target.com/p/ge-174-4ft-gold-high-speed-connectors-hdmi-cable-black/-/A-11240174

https://www.target.com/p/ge-pro-hdmi-cable-6ft-high-speed-with-ethernet-gold-connectors-black/-/A-13388824
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I am surprise. I'd had a look a few months ago too and found them all to be be 2.0, or 'high speed' meaning 2.0. UK though, so different stores etc, we don't have target

Buy one from monoprice or Amazon for like six bucks, the ones that say "Premium Certified" is what you want.
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