In this guide
HDMI 2.0 supports 4K at 60Hz, HDR, and 18Gbps bandwidth. HDMI 1.4 is limited to 4K at 30Hz, no HDR, and 10.2Gbps — making HDMI 2.0 the better choice for modern 4K TVs, gaming, and streaming.
- Both your source and display have HDMI 2.0 ports for full 4K@60Hz and HDR
- You use an HDMI 1.4 cable for 1080p content or 4K@30Hz
- You plug a 1.4 cable into a 2.0 port — it will still function at 1.4 speeds
- You want 4K@60Hz with an HDMI 1.4 cable — bandwidth is too low
- You need HDR — HDMI 1.4 does not support it
- Your display is HDMI 1.4 but your source is 2.0 — output is capped at 1.4 specs
Bandwidth Is the Core Difference
HDMI 1.4, released in 2009, offers 10.2Gbps of bandwidth. That’s enough for 4K video, but only at 30 frames per second. HDMI 2.0, released in 2013, bumps that to 18Gbps — enough for smooth 4K at 60fps, which is what most modern TVs, monitors, and game consoles actually need.
Motion at 30Hz can look choppy in fast-moving content. If you’re gaming or watching sports in 4K, 60Hz makes a visible difference.
HDR and Color Depth
HDMI 2.0 added HDR (High Dynamic Range) support and increased color depth from 8-bit to up to 12-bit. HDR improves contrast and color range significantly on compatible displays. HDMI 1.4 offers neither — you get standard dynamic range and 8-bit color regardless of your TV’s capabilities.
If your TV supports HDR10 or Dolby Vision, you need HDMI 2.0 on both the cable and the source to take advantage of it.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | HDMI 1.4 | HDMI 2.0 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max 4K resolution | 4K@30Hz | 4K@60Hz | 2.0 needed for smooth 4K |
| Bandwidth | 10.2Gbps | 18Gbps | 1.4 can’t carry 60Hz 4K |
| HDR support | No | Yes | Requires 2.0 end-to-end |
| Color depth | 8-bit | Up to 12-bit | Richer colors on 2.0 |
| 1080p@60Hz | Yes | Yes | Both handle this fine |
Backward Compatibility
HDMI versions are backward compatible. An HDMI 1.4 cable plugged into a 2.0 port will work — it just runs at 1.4 speeds. The connection is limited by the weakest link in the chain: cable, source port, or display port. All three need to be HDMI 2.0 to get 4K@60Hz with HDR.
If you’re connecting a laptop or phone via USB-C, check out whether USB-C can connect to HDMI and which HDMI version you’ll get through that adapter.
For audio, both versions support up to 8 channels (7.1 surround), so there’s no meaningful difference for home theater audio setups.
Do You Actually Need HDMI 2.0?
If your TV is 1080p, HDMI 1.4 is fine. If you have a 4K TV and want to use it at its full capability — especially with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or a 4K streaming device — you need HDMI 2.0 on both ends. Most cables sold today are 2.0-capable, but older cables bundled with devices may not be. Check the HDMI specification overview on Wikipedia for the full technical breakdown of each version.
Also worth knowing: if you’re running into display issues with an adapter setup, see why USB-C to HDMI sometimes stops working — version mismatches are a common cause.
Bottom line: HDMI 1.4 handles 1080p and basic 4K just fine, but if you want 4K at 60Hz, HDR, or better color depth, you need HDMI 2.0 at every point in your setup — cable, source, and display.