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Best HDMI 2.1 cable for the new Apple TV 4K?

 2 years ago
source link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-hdmi-2-1-cable-for-the-new-apple-tv-4k.2296914/
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Best HDMI 2.1 cable for the new Apple TV 4K?

harrypham

macrumors regular

Original poster

Nov 9, 2014

SA, Texas

My 2021 Apple TV 4K will be delivered on Tuesday. I am now looking for a good HDMI 2.1 cable that works flawlessly with Apple TV 4K. Any suggestions?

chabig

macrumors G3
Sep 6, 2002 8,682 5,938
Get the Belkin cable Apple sells. Apple will support you if you have problems.

fischersd

macrumors 603

Oct 23, 2014 5,097 1,694

Vancouver, BC, Canada

I was a little surprised that there isn't one actually in the box this time (as there was with the last version).

I'd wait for retail unboxing videos - Apple shipped the Belkin cable to reviewers - can't help but wonder if they aren't also doing that to retail purchases. (most people won't already have an HDMI 2.1 cable at home).

There are a LOT of 8k HDMI 2.1 cables on Amazon.

I buried two of these in the wall to be able to put in HDMI face plates and not have cables hanging down to the ATV in the cabinet below.
www.amazon.ca

8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 5ft, Compatible with All 4K 2K, High Speed 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable Compatible with Apple TV Roku PS5/PS4/PS3 Xbox One X/Series X Samsung QLED 8K Q8/Q9 Sony Z8H/Z9G LG OLED ZX/99/Z9

8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 5ft, Compatible with All 4K 2K, High Speed 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable Compatible with Apple TV Roku PS5/PS4/PS3 Xbox One X/Series X Samsung QLED 8K Q8/Q9 Sony Z8H/Z9G LG OLED ZX/99/Z9

www.amazon.ca

(Eventually, I'll get a Mac mini again and do the HTPC thing - but waiting for one with HDMI 2.1).

Audit13

macrumors 603

Apr 19, 2017 6,335 1,650

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I was a little surprised that there isn't one actually in the box this time (as there was with the last version).

I'd wait for retail unboxing videos - Apple shipped the Belkin cable to reviewers - can't help but wonder if they aren't also doing that to retail purchases. (most people won't already have an HDMI 2.1 cable at home).

There are a LOT of 8k HDMI 2.1 cables on Amazon.

I buried two of these in the wall to be able to put in HDMI face plates and not have cables hanging down to the ATV in the cabinet below.
www.amazon.ca

8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 5ft, Compatible with All 4K 2K, High Speed 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable Compatible with Apple TV Roku PS5/PS4/PS3 Xbox One X/Series X Samsung QLED 8K Q8/Q9 Sony Z8H/Z9G LG OLED ZX/99/Z9

8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 5ft, Compatible with All 4K 2K, High Speed 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable Compatible with Apple TV Roku PS5/PS4/PS3 Xbox One X/Series X Samsung QLED 8K Q8/Q9 Sony Z8H/Z9G LG OLED ZX/99/Z9

www.amazon.ca

(Eventually, I'll get a Mac mini again and do the HTPC thing - but waiting for one with HDMI 2.1).
I've never seen any Apple tv include an HDMI cable in the box. I have 3 first gen 4k boxes that I bought direct from Apple. Which Apple tv did you buy that had an HDMI cable in the box?

Reactions: TinyChip

fischersd

macrumors 603

Oct 23, 2014 5,097 1,694

Vancouver, BC, Canada

I've never seen any Apple tv include an HDMI cable in the box. I have 3 first gen 4k boxes that I bought direct from Apple. Which Apple tv did you buy that had an HDMI cable in the box?
Hmm. Maybe I'm misremembering, but I thought both the ATV2 and ATV4k came with HDMI cables. Cheesy, cheap HDMI cables, but HDMI cables nonetheless.

Yep, I stand corrected - neither of the current iterations with Apple come with an HDMI cable.
Screen Shot 2021-05-20 at 8.15.45 AM.png

ScrumpyDaniel

macrumors regular
Apr 15, 2019
Stick with the Belkin one. For my ATV4K I just got a cheap 4K cable from Amazon initially and while it worked fine, it wasn't as smooth and I was seeing jitters when moving across the menu's. Got the Belkin one last year and it works brilliantly. I'll stick with the Belkin one's now from the Apple Store for my ATV's.

Audit13

macrumors 603

Apr 19, 2017 6,335 1,650

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hmm. Maybe I'm misremembering, but I thought both the ATV2 and ATV4k came with HDMI cables. Cheesy, cheap HDMI cables, but HDMI cables nonetheless.
I have always used Amazon HDMI Basics 2.0 cables with no issues. When and if I get a new Apple TV 4k, I'm going to look for Amazon Basics 2.1 cables.

Reactions: OldRhodie

BMox81

macrumors 6502a

Apr 14, 2014

United Kingdom

I ordered this Anker one from Amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk

Anker 8K@60Hz HDMI Cable, Ultra High Speed 4K@120Hz 48Gbps 6.6 ft Ultra HD HDMI to HDMI Cord, Support Dynamic HDR, eARC, Dolby Atmos, Compatible with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and More

Anker 8K@60Hz HDMI Cable, Ultra High Speed 4K@120Hz 48Gbps 6.6 ft Ultra HD HDMI to HDMI Cord, Support Dynamic HDR, eARC, Dolby Atmos, Compatible with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and More

www.amazon.co.uk

playaproved

macrumors 6502
Sep 29, 2005
Zeskit 8k Cable from Amazon. They’re certified by the HDMI board. I’ve tested these cables to pass 4K/120/HDR from Xbox Series X and PS5. Great quality and pricing. I’m running these cables in multiple lengths in a few different setups throughout my home.

bluespark

macrumors 68030

Jul 11, 2009 2,528 2,952

Chicago

Hmm. Maybe I'm misremembering, but I thought both the ATV2 and ATV4k came with HDMI cables. Cheesy, cheap HDMI cables, but HDMI cables nonetheless.

Yep, I stand corrected - neither of the current iterations with Apple come with an HDMI cable.

View attachment 1777773
Doesn't make sense to include HDMI cables. Everyone's needs are different -- different lengths, different applications (in-wall, etc.), some people need 2.1 while many don't, some have plenty of HDMI cables already and extras would just be wasteful.

cjake

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2014
There is no indication that I have seen that the new ATV4K will support 4K120 output which could require new HDMI cables.

The current ATV4K can already send 4K60 4:2:2 12-bit for Dolby Vision LLDV (player-led). That is a 17.8 Gbps signal that maxes out HDMI 2.0. If your current cable works with that you don't need a new cable; not unless the new version has the ability to output 4K120.
Last edited: May 20, 2021

Goodeye

macrumors 6502a
Jan 30, 2009
Zeskit 8k Cable from Amazon. They’re certified by the HDMI board. I’ve tested these cables to pass 4K/120/HDR from Xbox Series X and PS5. Great quality and pricing. I’m running these cables in multiple lengths in a few different setups throughout my home.
I got the same one, it was delivered today. Ran the HDMI app to double check the certification (I mean it was Amazon after all) and sure enough its legit.

Rigby

macrumors 603

Aug 5, 2008 5,876 9,789

San Jose, CA

There is no indication that I have seen that the new ATV4K will support 4K120 output which could require new HDMI cables.

The current ATV4K can already send 4K60 4:2:2 12-bit for Dolby Vision LLDV (player-led). That is a 17.8 Gbps signal that maxes out HDMI 2.0. If your current cable works with that you don't need a new cable; not unless the new version has the ability to output 4K120.
Indeed. Existing "High Speed" (18 Gbps) cables will work just fine.

If you absolutely have to have a 48 Gbps cable, Monoprice has no-nonsense certified cables for a good price with free shipping:

Monoprice 8K Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable - HDMI 2.1, 8K@60Hz, 48Gbps, CL2 In-Wall Rated, 30AWG, 6ft, Black - Monoprice.com

The Monoprice™ 8K Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cable is the next generation of HDMI cable. Certified by an HDMI authorized testing center, these cables support up to 8K@60Hz/4K@120Hz res

www.monoprice.com

Reactions: Salty Pirate

cjake

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2014
If you have the previous ATV4K and an HDMI cable that works with it, the cable will work with the new ATV4K as well. There are no new HDMI 2.1 signal formats supported yet in the new ATV4K that exceed HDMI 2.0 limits.

Only if you want to use the new eARC feature to send audio to a HomePod from a TV, and your current HDMI cable does not support eARC might you need a new HDMI 2.1 cable.

JohnnieBBadde

macrumors regular
Dec 11, 2014
Existing "HDMI 2.0" cables are fine even for the use with an "HDMI 2.1" eARC Apple TV 4K 2021 since as already mentioned the bandwith the cables can reliably establish is the thing that makes a cable "HDMI 2.0", "HDMI 2.1" etc. and currently the Apple TV 4K 2021 does not really use HDMI 2.1 but a subset of HDMI 2.1 (eARC) put on an HDMI 2.0 interface.

The pins in the HDMI plugs are still arranged in the same way, theoretically you could have bought a regarding its electric properties rediculously over-built HDMI cable ten years ago that works today completely with HDMI 2.1 with full 48 Gbit/s bandwith.

Apleeseed84

macrumors 6502
Oct 22, 2020
Are you sure your tv, home theater and HDMI input are 2.1? It‘s usually the ARC HDMI input!

fischersd

macrumors 603

Oct 23, 2014 5,097 1,694

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Are you sure your tv, home theater and HDMI input are 2.1? It‘s usually the ARC HDMI input!
eARC is downward compatible to ARC (for the most part). As Apple has stated in support docs, they need considerable bandwidth for the Dolby Atmos signal that they're putting out, so regular ARC connections may not cut it.

Your TV should actually say eARC on the port / HDMI 2.1 - check the specs for your TV.

And, for those needing to buy new cables, get the HDMI 2.1 ones. You'll likely need that bandwidth after WWDC.

harrypham

macrumors regular

Original poster

Nov 9, 2014

SA, Texas

I just picked up the Belkin one from Apple Store

9:41-10:09

Contributor
Aug 8, 2021
I have the 2021 tv 4K and a 4K Samsung tv with eARC and HDR. Are the old Apple High Speed HDMI cables able to handle everything or do I need to get the Belkin cables from the Apple Store?
88EB769D-F6E3-4268-A43C-769BC43DFAEC.jpeg

AL2TEACH

macrumors 6502

Feb 17, 2007

North Las Vegas, NV.

I have the 2021 tv 4K and a 4K Samsung tv with eARC and HDR. Are the old Apple High Speed HDMI cables able to handle everything or do I need to get the Belkin cables from the Apple Store?

View attachment 1819224
www.whathifi.com

HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC: everything you need to know

What exactly does HDMI ARC do? Is it actually worth using?

www.whathifi.com

www.whathifi.com

and there are plenty more articles on eARC & Arc on the web. only you know if you need or want eArc.
www.techradar.com

HDMI ARC vs eARC: enhanced audio return channel explained

What do HDMI ARC and eARC actually do?

www.techradar.com

www.techradar.com

Last edited: Aug 15, 2021

Reactions: 9:41-10:09

Rigby

macrumors 603

Aug 5, 2008 5,876 9,789

San Jose, CA

I have the 2021 tv 4K and a 4K Samsung tv with eARC and HDR. Are the old Apple High Speed HDMI cables able to handle everything or do I need to get the Belkin cables from the Apple Store?
The HDMI "High Speed" spec guarantees only up to 4K @ 30Hz. 60 Hz may or may not work with such a cable, so you'd potentially miss out on 60 Hz for games and the Apple TV UI.

The suitable cable class for the ATV4K is "premium high speed". I think the Belkin cable is way overpriced. I would recommend a standard premium certified cable like these:
www.amazon.com

Monoprice 115428 Certified Premium HDMI Cable - 6 Feet - Black, 4K@60Hz, HDR, 18Gbps, 28AWG, YUV 4:4:4, Dual Video Stream

Monoprice 115428 Certified Premium HDMI Cable - 6 Feet - Black, 4K@60Hz, HDR, 18Gbps, 28AWG, YUV 4:4:4, Dual Video Stream

www.amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Amazon Basics Premium-Certified Braided HDMI Cable (18Gpbs, 4K/60Hz) - 6 Feet

Amazon Basics Premium-Certified Braided HDMI Cable (18Gpbs, 4K/60Hz) - 6 Feet

www.amazon.com

Reactions: 9:41-10:09

Banglazed

macrumors demi-god

Apr 17, 2017 3,998 5,251

Cupertino, CA

I use Rocketfish 2' HDMI that supports 4K at 120 Hz
www.bestbuy.com

Rocketfish™ 2' 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI® Certified Cable Black RF-HG02N19 - Best Buy

Shop Rocketfish™ 2' 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI® Certified Cable Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

www.bestbuy.com

Rigby

macrumors 603

Aug 5, 2008 5,876 9,789

San Jose, CA

I use Rocketfish 2' HDMI that supports 4K at 120 Hz
www.bestbuy.com

Rocketfish™ 2' 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI® Certified Cable Black RF-HG02N19 - Best Buy

Shop Rocketfish™ 2' 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI® Certified Cable Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

www.bestbuy.com

The ATV4K hardware does not support 120Hz (or 8K), so an "ultra high speed" cable is unnecessary.

Banglazed

macrumors demi-god

Apr 17, 2017 3,998 5,251

Cupertino, CA

The ATV4K hardware does not support 120Hz (or 8K), so an "ultra high speed" cable is unnecessary.
It may be overkill but it is HDMI 2.1 certified cable and I plan to keep it for since it is only $10 more than the Belkin cable
www.apple.com

Apple TV 4K - Technical Specifications

View the tech specs for Apple TV 4K and the Siri Remote — including size, weight, capacity, ports, and more.

www.apple.com

Rigby

macrumors 603

Aug 5, 2008 5,876 9,789

San Jose, CA

It may be overkill but it is HDMI 2.1 certified cable and I plan to keep it for since it is only $10 more than the Belkin cable
www.apple.com

Apple TV 4K - Technical Specifications

View the tech specs for Apple TV 4K and the Siri Remote — including size, weight, capacity, ports, and more.

www.apple.com

The thing is that the 2nd gen ATV4K is not capable of any video modes that require HDMI 2.1. We know this because they used the same DP to HDMI 2.0 converter as in the 1st gen model. See step 7 in this teardown:
www.ifixit.com

Apple TV 4K 2021 Teardown

Teardown of the all-new Siri Remote, and the spec-bumped Apple TV with which it's paired. Published May 30, 2021.

www.ifixit.com

www.ifixit.com

And step 6 here (teardown of the 1st gen):
www.ifixit.com

Apple TV 4K Teardown

Teardown of the Apple TV 4K, performed on September 22, 2017.

www.ifixit.com

www.ifixit.com

The only thing Apple changed on the HDMI port is that they added an extra chip for the eARC audio return channel (see again step 7 of the first link).

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