Confused by the term HDMI ? Not certain what HDMI cable television you need for your new TV ? We ’ve catch you covered .

Keep reading to learn more about what HDMI actually is , how it crop and which household devices you ’ll need a cable for .

What is HDMI?

HDMI stands for High - Definition Multimedia Interface and carry video recording and/or audio datum from an HDMI source gadget to a compatible gadget .

The most common use of HDMI is to exhibit video onto an external equipment , so in this instance the HDMI informant equipment could be a DVD musician or laptop and the compatible gimmick could be a TV or monitor .

HDMI was develop back in 2002 as a way of life to amend connectivity standards by allowing more data to be transmitted between sources and twist and to cope with the demands of high - definition content . HDMI has since been wide adopted by the vast absolute majority of TV , information processing system and audio equipment , although it has germinate since .

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi

What are the different HDMI connectors?

There are four primary HDMI connective types that stand for to different HDMI cable television service types . The connexion are : Standard , Mini , Micro and Automotive .

The received connector grant you to tie in devices such as gaming consoles or Blu - beam players to monitor or TVs .

The Mini connection is quite a specific connection as it works on smaller devices such as tablet and DSLR cameras . The other end of the cable will ordinarily feature a standard connecter so it can be used to plug the equipment with a monitor or video recording projector .

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi

The Micro connector is used on even smaller portable twist , including smartphones and digital cameras and works in the same way as the Mini connecter .

Finally , there ’s the self-propelled connexion which is used for industrial and automotive applications .

What do HDMI ports look like?

There are unnumbered devices that have HDMI connecter , but it ’s not always easy to spot where these are . On most telly , the HDMI larboard will be around the back of the equipment , with the physique of the HDMI port looking like a os trapezium with opposing slot sides of unequal length .

TVs recording label port , so you’re able to bet out for the humble stickers that will betoken which port is for HDMI .

And while diminished devices , such as tablets or phones , in all probability wo n’t have a recording label for the HDMI port wine , you should be able to pick out them from the queer conformation , as the Standard , Mini and Micro all stick to the same trapezium shape with opposing sides .

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi

What is the latest version of HDMI?

found back in 2017 , although has been update more latterly in 2023 , the latest version of HDMI isHDMI 2.1 . HDMI 2.1 adds musical accompaniment for higher resolutions and refresh rates , admit up to 8 K and 60Hz .

This is especially worth noting if you ’re an avid gamer as thePlayStation 5andXbox Series Xare both compatible with HDMI 2.1 and the new Ultra High Speed HDMI cable system . This means you’re able to experience higher solution and smoother gameplay .

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi

back side of denon amplifier system showing connections from power to Hdmi