Which HDMI cable for 4k@120hz gaming?

[Siegfried]

Hi guys, I need to connect the PC to the TV with HDMI at a distance of about 8 meters. My use is mainly gaming in 4k@120hz. In another thread they told me I need an active optical cable, I honestly don't know what it is.
What do you think? Thank you.

 

[mx62]

for that resolution the max length i can recommend for "normal" HDMI are 3m.
for 8m search for active HDMI cable

 

[TheLostSwede]

Optical no, but you do need an active cable. Then again, optical cables aren't really that expensive these days.
The difference is that there's a chip in each end of the cable that helps boost the signal over a longer distance.
Note that active cables are directional.
Also make sure it's a 48 Gbps capable cable.
Standard lengths appear to be 7.5 and 10 meters.

 

[Siegfried]

Perfect.
Just to be careful (I don't want to say nonsense) but are there active cables for 8k@120hz?

 

[mx62]

yep

 

[Siegfried]

Is 8k@120hz the best on the market?

 

[Arco]

Is 8k@120hz the best on the market?

It should be fine. I would get a decent HDMI 2.1@48Gbps cable which should suit your needs.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Is 8k@120hz the best on the market?

HDMI 2.1b is the most recent spec and it doesn't go beyond 8K 60 Hz, but with DSC enabled it can do 8K 120 Hz.

HDMI 2.2 Specification Overview

HDMI 2.1b technology enables end-to-end 8K & 4K solutions, faster refresh rates, and Dynamic HDR support. ✓ Click here to learn more about HDMI 2.1b

hdmi.org

 

[oobymach]

MAKE SURE it has Ultra Certified logo, like this. If it doesn't have that logo it isn't a 48gbps cable.

 

[Siegfried]

HDMI 2.1a is the most recent spec and it doesn't go beyond 8K 60 Hz, but with DSC enabled it can do 8K 120 Hz.

HDMI 2.2 Specification Overview

HDMI 2.1b technology enables end-to-end 8K & 4K solutions, faster refresh rates, and Dynamic HDR support. ✓ Click here to learn more about HDMI 2.1b

hdmi.org

Thanks but...forgive me, why do you tell me 2.1a and then link 2.1b?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Thanks but...forgive me, why do you tell me 2.1a and then link 2.1b?

Blah, brain fart. Fixed. There's no significant difference in your use case anyhow.

The HDMI Forum has published Version 2.1b of the HDMI® Specification which is available to HDMI 2.x Adopters. This includes a general clean up, clarifications to improve interoperability, and incorporation of errata.

MAKE SURE it has Ultra Certified logo, like this. If it doesn't have that logo it isn't a 48gbps cable.

View attachment 332310

That's not entirely true though, as it's possible to comply without the logo, just like you can make a compliant USB cable without going through the logo certification process.
That said, it is a peace of mind thing, as you know the cable should've been tested to comply with the spec. However, some companies use fake stickers so...

 

[bonehead123]

MAKE SURE it has Ultra Certified logo, like this. If it doesn't have that logo it isn't a 48gbps cable.

View attachment 332310

^^THIS^^

Also make sure it's made by a reputable mfgr (Anker, uGreen, CableMatters, Monoprice) and sold by a reputable vendor (B&H, daZon), not some no-name shop from some place nobody's ever heard of

 

[Siegfried]

Optical no, but you do need an active cable. Then again, optical cables aren't really that expensive these days.

If I understand correctly, there are simple active cables and active OPTICAL cables, right? But I don't think there is a significant price difference, in fact, the 10 meter cables I see are all optical. At this point which one should I choose? I would go for the optical one.

Si noti che i cavi attivi sono direzionali.

Can you explain to me what that means exactly, please.


PS: In the quick response field, the boxes for inserting emoticons and other functions are obscured, why? They worked the other day. Meh!

 

[TheLostSwede]

If I understand correctly, there are simple active cables and active OPTICAL cables, right? But I don't think there is a significant price difference, in fact, the 10 meter cables I see are all optical. At this point which one should I choose? I would go for the optical one.

Doesn't matter, functionally there's no difference, so go with what fits your budget.

Can you explain to me what that means exactly, please.

The cables only function in one direction, unlike passive cables which you can use either way around.
The connectors are marked with input and output.

 

[Siegfried]

Last questions. Can I be sure that any quality HDMI 2.1 48Gbps can be passed into the wall system?
Does it also supports the latest versions of available technologies? I'm talking about digital audio formats, HDR10+, VRR, ALLM and anything else you can think of.

 

[Kapone33]

Last questions. Can I be sure that any quality HDMI 2.1 48Gbps can be passed into the wall system?
Does it also supports the latest versions of available technologies? I'm talking about digital audio formats, HDR10+, VRR, ALLM and anything else you can think of.

To solve any doubts just get a Cable that is rated at 8K 60Hz.

 

[Siegfried]

Ok, the important thing is that I can place it on the wall.

 

[R-T-B]

Ok, the important thing is that I can place it on the wall.

Most cables will do fine in a wall but I believe there are special "wall-rated" cables if you want to be extra certain.

 

[ir_cow]

If your going over 10ft for 4K@120. It pretty much needs to be optical. That or paying $70 for a proper shielded beefy cable.

 

[Siegfried]

If your going over 10ft for 4K@120. It pretty much needs to be optical. That or paying $70 for a proper shielded beefy cable.

I will definitely get an optical cable

 

[Dr. Dro]

You'll want an HDMI Ultra speed certified cable, they have that sticker on the packaging like @oobymach mentioned. I use this Club3D cable with my LG G3 OLED and RTX 4080, works great:

Club 3D | Ultra High Speed HDMI 4K120Hz, 8K60Hz Certified Cable 48Gbps M/M 2 m / 6.56 ft

The Club 3D CAC-1372 Ultra High Speed HDMI™2.1 Certified Cable is built to handle the highest quality video- and audio- signals. HDMI™2.1 Increased Bandwidth to 48Gbps. The increase in maximum bandwidth compared to previous versions is achieved by increasing both the bitrate of the data...

www.club-3d.com

It's $30 on Amazon usually but I think it's on sale for $19 right now. It's VESA certified, high quality, no BS marketing "features" and shouldn't give you any trouble. For longer cables you'll probably want to go with a more exotic solution, though, such as an optical cable. Be prepared to drop a stack on that, though...

 

[ir_cow]

Ohh I didn't see 8 meters. I read that as 8ft. So 26 ft for us dumb americans. Optical is the only option. No copper HDMI cable do that much distance.

I would buy whatever brand in that video The HDTVTest guy knows a lot about TVs.

 

[Siegfried]

Hi guys, after a long search I found these 3 products. In your opinion which is the best? Thank you.

Certified Active Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable (Fiber Active Optical 8K HDMI Cable)

The Cable Matters 48Gbps Fiber HDMI Cable combines the latest in HDMI standards with an active chipset and fiber optic cores to ensure a reliable, clear picture at distances not possible with traditional copper HDMI cables

www.cablematters.com

Optical 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable – 8K@60Hz, licensed product

HDMI 2.1 over long distances – perfect for Radeon RX 6000/GeForce RTX 3000 graphics cards, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S & 8K TVs. Supports HDMI 2.1/2.0/1.4. Supports 48Gbit/s for UHD-2 resolutions such as 7680×4320 (8K) or 10240×4320 (10K), 3D video, 48-bit color, Dynamic HDR/HDR10+, VRR, ALLM, HFR &...

kabeldirekt-store.de

https://www.amazon.com/Maxonar-Certified-48Gbps-Dynamic-Compatible/dp/B0BN38BBCQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=hdmi+cable+in+wall+rated&qid=1707456393&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

 

[Dr. Dro]

Hi guys, after a long search I found these 3 products. In your opinion which is the best? Thank you.

Certified Active Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable (Fiber Active Optical 8K HDMI Cable)

The Cable Matters 48Gbps Fiber HDMI Cable combines the latest in HDMI standards with an active chipset and fiber optic cores to ensure a reliable, clear picture at distances not possible with traditional copper HDMI cables

www.cablematters.com

Optical 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable – 8K@60Hz, licensed product

HDMI 2.1 over long distances – perfect for Radeon RX 6000/GeForce RTX 3000 graphics cards, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S & 8K TVs. Supports HDMI 2.1/2.0/1.4. Supports 48Gbit/s for UHD-2 resolutions such as 7680×4320 (8K) or 10240×4320 (10K), 3D video, 48-bit color, Dynamic HDR/HDR10+, VRR, ALLM, HFR &...

kabeldirekt-store.de

Amazon.com

Both KabelDirekt and Cable Matters are known to sell very high quality, certified cables and I never heard any complaints from either of these brands. Either way you go will be great, so pick the one that is more convenient to you. If I had both in front of me I think I'd pick the KabelDirekt one though, just because it looks cooler to me

 

[Siegfried]

Both KabelDirekt and Cable Matters are known to sell very high quality, certified cables and I never heard any complaints from either of these brands. Either way you go will be great, so pick the one that is more convenient to you. If I had both in front of me I think I'd pick the KabelDirekt one though, just because it looks cooler to me

Thanks, yes I was thinking about KabelDirekt too. I also added another link that was previously wrong. The Maxonar is also "in wall" certified and that would be my use case. Is this certification important?