The Big Issue Lurking in the Shadow of HDMI: Why HDMI Has Become Confusing - Choosing the Right Cable in the 96Gbps Era

Is That HDMI Cable Holding Back Your TV's Performance? The Truth Behind "Same Shape, Different Function"

You bought a new TV and upgraded to a high-performance gaming console. Yet, the smooth visuals you expected aren't there.

In such cases, a single cable behind your TV might be the culprit. However, it's premature to conclude that all old HDMI cables need replacing.

The complexity of HDMI lies in the fact that being able to plug it in, display video, and fully utilize the device's capabilities are separate conditions.

An article published by Pocket-lint on September 15, 2026, addresses this issue of "looking the same but being different." It points out that while HDMI ports are convenient and long-lasting, their evolving performance can confuse consumers.

With the advent of HDMI 2.2 supporting up to 96Gbps, this issue becomes even more relevant. So, what should we look for when choosing a cable?

Just Because It Fits Doesn't Mean It Works the Same

The standard-sized HDMI ports widely used in households have essentially the same shape across generations.

This is a significant advantage. If the port shape changed with every TV upgrade, you would have to replace peripherals and cables as well. The compatibility that allows you to use existing equipment longer is a strength of HDMI.

On the other hand, even cables that look the same can carry different amounts of data reliably.

A cable that worked fine for Full HD video might not meet the conditions for 4K high refresh rate video. Just because it's connected to new equipment doesn't guarantee all its features can be used.

The tricky part is that from the user's perspective, the cable doesn't appear "broken."

The video appears, and the sound is there. However, you can't select the desired video mode. This makes it difficult to isolate whether the issue is with the TV's specifications, game restrictions, settings, or cable performance.

The confusion with HDMI lies more in the opacity of "being able to connect but not knowing how much is actually usable" than the inconvenience of not being able to connect.

Why "HDMI 2.1 Cable" Is Hard to Judge

On e-commerce sites, you might see terms like "HDMI 2.0," "HDMI 2.1," or "HDMI 2.2." However, when purchasing, you should check not only these numbers but also the official cable names and certifications.

It's easier to organize your thoughts by separating HDMI specification versions from cable performance categories.

The actual video formats you can use depend not only on resolution but also on refresh rate, color depth, color information handling, and whether compression is used. The numbers in the table alone do not guarantee all combinations.

Moreover, even if the cable supports it, you can't use it if the TV or playback device can't handle the signal.

In other words, before buying "the one with the biggest number," you need to decide "what you want to output with your equipment."

Even at 96Gbps, Movies Won't Automatically Look Better

On June 25, 2025, the HDMI Forum announced the release of the HDMI 2.2 specification. The maximum bandwidth is 96Gbps, doubling from HDMI 2.1's maximum of 48Gbps.

This is something to note when reading the original article. The attached Pocket-lint article mentions "96Mbps," but the official announcement states "96Gbps." The unit is different, and the numerical meaning is 1,000 times different.

The new specification expands the potential for high resolution and high refresh rates. The official announcement also provides examples of transmitting uncompressed 4K/240Hz or 8K/60Hz with richer color information.

However, this is about the capability of the transmission path.

Replacing the cable does not increase the display capability of the TV or the processing power of the gaming console. Nor will the cable restore details not originally included in the streaming video.

If you are already able to watch your desired video format stably, simply switching to a higher bandwidth cable is unlikely to further improve picture quality.

HDMI 2.2 is meant to support future applications. However, the emergence of a new standard and the necessity to replace all the cables in your home should be considered separately.

"Not Getting 120Hz = Bad Cable" Is Not Always True

The original article suggests checking whether VRR or 120fps can be used in the game console settings as a clue for cable verification.

However, just because a feature cannot be used does not necessarily mean the cable is insufficient.

For example, with the PS5's 4K/120Hz output, multiple conditions are involved, such as the TV's compatible ports and settings, intermediate connected devices, and the cable. Sony's official support also guides checking the connection environment.

The following points should be confirmed first.

• Is it connected to the HDMI input on the TV that supports the desired video format?
• Is the necessary extended signal setting enabled on the TV?
• Are the compatible output and operation modes selected on the game console and game side?
• Are intermediate devices like AV amplifiers or switchers compatible?
• Does the same symptom occur with the included cable or a cable that meets the necessary performance?

Additionally, 120Hz refers to the screen refresh rate, while 120fps refers to the number of frames rendered by games. Even if connected at 120Hz, not all games will run at 120fps.

As a starting point for verification, connecting the game console directly to the TV with the included cable is straightforward. Simplifying the connection can help narrow down where the problem lies.

Dolby Atmos Isn't Determined by Cable Generation Alone

For audio, additional conditions apply.

The original article emphasizes the relationship between Dolby Atmos and new HDMI cables, but it can't be simply stated that "the latest cable is always necessary to hear Atmos."

Atmos may use different audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD. When sending audio from the TV to a soundbar, the conditions change depending on whether it's ARC or eARC and whether the devices can pass that format.

Sonos's official support lists HDMI ARC or eARC as connections for playing Atmos on compatible products. Meanwhile, HDMI's official information explains that eARC supports high bitrate audio like Dolby TrueHD.

What needs to be checked is not just the cable's product name but whether the content, output device, TV, and soundbar are all compatible.

Even if "Atmos doesn't work despite changing to the latest cable," it's necessary to first review the audio format, connection destination, and output settings.

On Social Media, Expectations for Evolution and "Is It Really Necessary?" Intersect

Reactions to HDMI's evolution are not one-sided.

 

Here, we introduce opinions found in the comments section of the original article and related threads on Reddit discussing the announcement of HDMI 2.2. Note that Reddit posts are not direct reactions to this article nor representative of overall public opinion.

In the comments section of the original article, there was a correction pointing out "it's 96Gbps, not 96Mbps." Even articles dealing with technical complexities require accurate representation.

Another noteworthy point is the defense of maintaining the same shape. One reader mentioned that if the ports changed with each generation, it would create the inconvenience of carrying multiple types of cables. Despite the difficulty in distinguishing performance differences, the value of maintaining compatibility is significant.

On the other hand, in Reddit's home theater-related threads, there were posts expressing dissatisfaction with video streaming compression and quality in light of increased HDMI bandwidth.

Even if the connection standards become more advanced, if the quality of content viewed daily doesn't match, the benefits are hard to feel. This reflects the sentiment of users.

However, the bandwidth of compressed video streaming from the internet and the HDMI signal bandwidth sent from the playback device to the screen are not the same. A low streaming bitrate alone is not a reason to deem high-bandwidth HDMI unnecessary.

Conversely, in Reddit's hardware-related threads, some posts evaluated 4K/240Hz as a more realistic application than transitioning to 8K.

People who enjoy movies and those seeking high refresh rate gaming environments have different expectations for the new standard. Framing this discussion as a binary "necessary or unnecessary" overlooks these differences.

Decide "What You Want to Do" Before Replacing

So, how should households decide?

Firstly, if you can enjoy the desired video and audio stably with your current connection, there's no need to rush to replace it just because a new standard has emerged.

Next, if you want to newly use features like 4K/120Hz, check the compatibility conditions in the equipment manuals. It's important to verify not just the cable but also the ports and settings you use.

When purchasing a new cable, prioritize official names and certification information over flashy appearances or promotional phrases like "ultra-high definition."

According to HDMI Licensing Administrator's guidance, Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable and Ultra96 HDMI Cable are subject to certification testing, and you can verify them using certification labels on the packaging. The verification results include brand, model number, and length information.

Especially for long wiring or configurations involving multiple intermediate devices, it's crucial not to judge based on a single cable alone.

Replacing is not too late once you see the functions you want to achieve and the currently lacking conditions.

What HDMI Needs Is Explanation Along with Performance

The issue raised by the Pocket-lint article is not just that the standards have become too fast.

What users want to know is not just the "maximum Gbps" number but the answer to what they can do with their TV and gaming console.

There is value in being able to use the same ports for a long time. While preserving that value, how to convey performance differences remains an area for improvement. The labeling on the cable itself, certification labels, device-specific compatible functions, and explanations in the settings screen all have room for enhancement.

A single cable behind the TV can sometimes limit performance. However, what's needed is not to replace everything but to understand the entire connection and identify what's lacking.

Even in an era where HDMI continues to evolve, the most important question before buying remains unchanged.

"Does this cable support the features I want to use now?"

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Source URL

1. Pocket-lint:
   An article addressing the differences between the appearance and performance of HDMI cables and questions about the evolution of standards. The bandwidth unit was corrected based on official information.
   https://www.pocket-lint.com/hdmi-cable-problem-getting-bigger/
2. HDMI Forum: Official announcement of HDMI 2.2 specification release (June 25, 2025, PDF)
   Information on the maximum 96Gbps bandwidth, compatible video formats, and Ultra96.
   https://www.hdmi.org/download/pressfileid/153
3. HDMI Licensing Administrator: Types and performance of cables
   Used to confirm official cable names and supported bandwidths such as Premium High Speed, Ultra High Speed, and Ultra96.
   https://www.hdmi.org/resource/cables
4. HDMI Licensing Administrator: Ultra HDMI cables and certification system
   Explanation of 48Gbps and 96Gbps compatible cables, certification testing, and verification methods using labels or QR codes.
   https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/ultrahighspeedcable