Your TV has multiple HDMI ports for a reason. And no, it’s not just to give you more places to plug things in. In most cases, those identical-looking HDMI ports have different capabilities. Some are better suited for handling streaming and gaming, while others are more suited for audio devices, such as the soundbar.
Now the thing is, even if you plug everything in without paying attention, your setup will work just fine. But you might not be getting the best your TV has to offer. That’s why you must understand how HDMI ports are different and how you can match each one to the right device.
Not all HDMI ports on your TV are the same
Same shape, very different capabilities
While all the HDMI ports on your TV may look the same, their capabilities can vary significantly. This reason comes down to different HDMI standards. Right now, the most common ones are HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and HDMI 2.1.
HDMI 1.4 is the oldest of the three standards. It’s designed for 1080p and 4K at 30Hz. Most TVs have moved beyond this port, so you’re unlikely to find it unless you have an old model. HDMI 2.0 is the current baseline for most TVs. It supports 4K at 60Hz with High Dynamic Range (HDR). This is the port you’ll find on almost every TV, regardless of whether it’s a mid-range model or a high-end one.
Then there’s HDMI 2.1, which is the latest standard. It can handle 4K at 120Hz and even supports 8K resolution. You’ll only find these in high-end TVs and the latest mid-range models. Also, most TVs only have one or two full HDMI 2.1 ports, while the rest are HDMI 2.0.
Since different HDMI ports have different capabilities, you can imagine how using the wrong one can limit your viewing experience. And it’s not just about video quality either. HDMI ports also play a critical role in audio quality. Some HDMI ports are labeled ARC, which stands for Audio Return Channel. ARC allows audio to travel both ways through the same HDMI cable.
eARC is the enhanced version of ARC, which offers much higher bandwidth and supports higher quality sound formats. Much like HDMI 2.1, not every HDMI port on your TV will support ARC. In most cases, only one specific port is labeled for it.
Which HDMI port should you use for each device
The right connection for the right job
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When deciding which HDMI port to use, the answer comes down to matching the port’s capabilities with what your device can output. You don’t want to waste a high bandwidth port on a device that doesn’t need it, and you definitely don’t want to plug a high-performance device into a port that limits it.
HDMI 2.1 is the most capable port on a TV, so you’ll want to reserve it for a device that can actually take advantage of it, such as a game console or modern PC. Of course, you can plug it into an HDMI 2.0 port, and you might still get 4K video, but you could lose out on 120Hz support and other advanced features.
If you have a streaming device, like the Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, or Roku, the HDMI 2.0 port is more than capable of handling 4K content at 60Hz with HDR. Again, you could also use an HDMI 2.1 port for these devices, but you won’t notice any difference in terms of quality.
If your TV has HDMI 1.4 ports, you’ll want to avoid them as much as possible. They’re fine for devices that output 1080p, but not for modern 4K gear. And if you have a soundbar or AV receiver, there’s only one correct choice. It should go into an HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. This is the port that keeps your sound system and TV talking to each other properly.
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Spotting the right HDMI port on your TV
It shouldn’t take long
Johnnie Rik/ShutterstockCredit: Johnnie Rik/Shutterstock
Manufacturers always print small tags next to each HDMI port to highlight their capabilities. You might see markings like HDMI 2.1, HDMI 2.0, 4K 120Hz, ARC or eARC. If the labeling is not there, you can always refer to your TV’s manual to tell apart different HDMI ports. Most brands also list this information on their official support pages, so there’s no need to hunt down the physical copy.
The good thing is, you only need to figure this out once. After you identify the high bandwidth port and the ARC or eARC port, you can plug everything in correctly and forget about it.
The cable you use also matters
You can plug your device into the perfect HDMI port, but it won’t matter if you’re using an old, uncertified cable. Because just as ports have different standards, cables do too. That doesn’t mean you need to splurge on expensive HDMI cables, though. As long as it’s certified to handle your preferred output, whether it’s HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1, you’ll be fine.
