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Jerezanito

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 12, 2011
67
1
I'm confuse about hdmi cables, I have some 2.0 18gb speed I'm trying to get good cables before get my new sony a80j. My goal is to connect my new Apple TV, nvidia shield tv 2015 and later on a sony HT-A9 sound system using the eARC, please make a comment thank you.
 

Banglazed

macrumors 601
Apr 17, 2017
4,999
9,433
Cupertino, CA
To get full HDR support, you will need a ultra HDMI 2.0 cable. Some HDR content can go up to 12 color bit depth. I would go for certified cables.

formatdataratetable-100750471-orig.jpg


I have X90J and Apple TV 4K which both supports HDMI 2.1 so I got the 2.1 cable instead to future proof it and get full HDR support. However, Apple TV only supports up to 4K 60hz HDR only.

 
Last edited:

400

macrumors 6502a
Sep 12, 2015
760
319
Wales
Try your existing cables first, if they work, they work.
The naming is rather a mess and the certified cables follow a naming system, one that many cable sellers don't and it confuses the issue.
That is not to say a non certified cable will not work but don't pay silly prices if you decide to go Ultra, but Ultra cables will be shorter than Premium High Speed.
 

Jerezanito

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 12, 2011
67
1
To get full HDR support, you will need a ultra HDMI 2.0 cable. Some HDR content can go up to 12 color bit depth. I would go for certified cables.

formatdataratetable-100750471-orig.jpg


I have X90J and Apple TV 4K which both supports HDMI 2.1 so I got the 2.1 cable instead to future proof it and get full HDR support. However, Apple TV only supports up to 4K 60hz HDR only.

Thank you for the chart is a value info, what do you think about these amazon cables, are they certified?
 

kiranmk2

macrumors 68000
Oct 4, 2008
1,658
2,272
I am more and more sure that the latest Apple TV 4k does not have what most people would call an HDMI 2.1 port. I am of the opinion that it has an 18 Gbps HDMI 2.0 port and as such any cables marketed as High Speed or 18 Gbps will be fine.

My evidence for my thoughts about the port are as follows:
  • the HDMI forum does not allow numbering to be used to advertise ports - only features. If you look at the Apple tech specs there is an footnote next to the HDMI 2.1 listing which states that the HDMI 2.1 features are 4K 60 fps HDR and eARC - both of which can be done with an HDMI 2.0 port / 18 Gbps
  • Features such as 4K 120 fps, VRR, QMS are not listed (even as coming soon)
 

HDFan

Contributor
Jun 30, 2007
7,250
3,301
I would only get a certified cable. Can refer you to a Linus Youtube video about how a lot of HDMI cables fail, for a variety of reason. Personally have had issues with cables so no longer purchase uncertified ones. Cables that say they are "certified" but don't display a certification label are suspect. Since 8K 2.1 certified cables aren't that more expensive I'd just get one of those which should last you a long time, assuming normal wear and tear. You can buy a cheaper cable to save money, but may have a lot of headaches. They may work now on your devices, but not on a device that you purchase later.

Have no problems with this one. They were the first to come out with the 48 Gbp s cables I think.


Recently got this one from Best Buy:


Screen Shot 2021-11-07 at 9.32.01 PM.png
 

400

macrumors 6502a
Sep 12, 2015
760
319
Wales
High Speed are really bottom of the pile for 4k now though for HDR 10 mine still work. Still try the ones you have first. No point wasting loot if they will work.
Then, if you have to, and the distance is OK, get the Ultra High Speed. But make sure you have a good returns policy. Cables can arrive in spec but fail.
I am seeing certified on Amazon, £13 or so, which for the UK is a pretty good price for that distance and considering some outlets will try to do you over for three times that and more, well, buyer beware.
 

AL2TEACH

macrumors 65816
Feb 17, 2007
1,222
504
North Las Vegas, NV.
I would go for (and use 2.1 myself) 2.1 because they will carry video and Dolby Atmos sound fully. With what you have and will get go for the 2.1. I'm waiting for the HT-A9 also 😀
 

HDFan

Contributor
Jun 30, 2007
7,250
3,301
Linus just tested $1K of HDMI cables. 1 in 6 failed.

Belkin, Monoprice, Amazon Basics and CableDeconn all had cables which failed.

50% of the 15 foot cables failed.

Unfortunately he doesn't discuss certified cables so there is no way to know whether a cable will work before you purchase it unless someone has tested it.

 
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Jerezanito

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 12, 2011
67
1
Finally I got my new sony 77'' A80J, I wonder where is my best HDMI opcion to connect my new 2021 Apple tv, Hdmi 1 and 2 are 60hz and HDMI 3 and 4 support 120hz any idea? I don't have any game console, my other 2 devices are LG Ultra HD player and 2015 Nvidia shield tv, I like to reserve the HDMI 3 eARC for a future HT-A9.
 

400

macrumors 6502a
Sep 12, 2015
760
319
Wales
Finally I got my new sony 77'' A80J, I wonder where is my best HDMI opcion to connect my new 2021 Apple tv, Hdmi 1 and 2 are 60hz and HDMI 3 and 4 support 120hz any idea? I don't have any game console, my other 2 devices are LG Ultra HD player and 2015 Nvidia shield tv, I like to reserve the HDMI 3 eARC for a future HT-A9.
Just try the ones you have now. If they work, it will be as good as any new cable.
 
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400

macrumors 6502a
Sep 12, 2015
760
319
Wales
Linus just tested $1K of HDMI cables. 1 in 6 failed.

Belkin, Monoprice, Amazon Basics and CableDeconn all had cables which failed.

50% of the 15 foot cables failed.

Unfortunately he doesn't discuss certified cables so there is no way to know whether a cable will work before you purchase it unless someone has tested it.

I have a mix of cables, £3.50 to £8, High Speed and Premium High speed, mix of makes including Amazon basics, but only a few feet long. They all worked out the packet but cables can arrive duff, it is the nature of cables. In work, we never put a new cable in the field without testing it first (and we would check on a waveform monitor with real life loads and signals).

Certified cables are part of a process, they send a few off for testing but the ones you get are not tested but part of the same production that made the tested ones.
 
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Gator5000e

macrumors 65816
Jan 27, 2018
1,048
954
I have had my A80J for about 3 weeks now and bought these cables from Amazon. They work fine. Passed the test on Apple TV. I am running all my devices thru my Denon receiver into HDMI 3 of the TV. Sounds like you will do the same thing when the Sony HT-A9.

My opinion, FWIW, is you just paid good money for the TV and the Sony sound system. Why scrimp now? Buy some new CERTIFIED cables (from a place you can return them to easily if you want or need to) and make sure you get the most out of your system.

www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Logo-Ultra-Speed-Cable/dp/B08THWC77B
 
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AL2TEACH

macrumors 65816
Feb 17, 2007
1,222
504
North Las Vegas, NV.
Finally I got my new sony 77'' A80J, I wonder where is my best HDMI opcion to connect my new 2021 Apple tv, Hdmi 1 and 2 are 60hz and HDMI 3 and 4 support 120hz any idea? I don't have any game console, my other 2 devices are LG Ultra HD player and 2015 Nvidia shield tv, I like to reserve the HDMI 3 eARC for a future HT-A9.
Depends on what your preferred method is for watching movies and what you have for audio now. If audio is not a concern before the A9, the Apple TV in HDMI 4. When the A9 gets there, HD player in the A9.

for the A9
 
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