HDMI · 2013
HDMI 2.0
The 4K 60 Hz standard. 18 Gbps, HDR from 2.0a, but not enough for 4K 120.
- data: 18 Gbps
- video: 4K 60 Hz
Spec card
- Max link rate
- 18 Gbit/s (600 MHz TMDS)
- Usable video
- 14.4 Gbit/s after 8b/10b
- Max video
- 4K 60 Hz 8-bit 4:4:4; 4K 60 Hz HDR as 4:2:2 or 4:2:0
- HDR
- static HDR metadata (2.0a), HLG (2.0b)
- Audio
- up to 32 channels; ARC
- Cable
- Premium High Speed HDMI (18 Gbps certified)
Also sold as HDMI 2.0aHDMI 2.0b
The cable you need
A Premium High Speed HDMI cable (look for the certification label). Ultra High Speed also works.
Watch out for
- 4K 60 Hz HDR on HDMI 2.0 is chroma-subsampled (4:2:2 or 4:2:0).
- A cable that works at 1080p may flicker or drop out at 4K 60. Certified Premium High Speed cables are tested at 18 Gbps.
HDMI 2.0 raised the TMDS clock to 600 MHz, 18 Gbps on the wire. 4K at 60 Hz with standard TV timing needs a 594 MHz pixel clock, so 8-bit full-colour (4:4:4) 4K 60 fits with almost nothing to spare. 10-bit HDR at 4K 60 does not fit at 4:4:4. TVs and consoles send it as 4:2:2 or 4:2:0, which you won't notice in films and games but can see as fuzzy coloured text on a PC desktop.
For PCs, HDMI 2.0 also manages 1440p at 144 Hz with reduced blanking, but nothing like 4K 120 Hz. For that you need HDMI 2.1.
What it can carry
Computed from each link's usable bandwidth; 4K at 60 Hz and above assumes 10-bit HDR colour. How.
| Mode | HDMI 2.0 |
|---|---|
| 1080p 60 Hz 8-bit | Fits 3.6 Gbps |
| 1080p 144 Hz 8-bit | Fits 8.0 Gbps |
| 1440p 144 Hz 8-bit | Fits 14.1 Gbps |
| 4K 30 Hz 8-bit | Fits 7.1 Gbps |
| 4K 60 Hz 10-bit | Too much 17.8 Gbps |
| 4K 120 Hz 10-bit | Too much 35.6 Gbps |
| 4K 144 Hz 10-bit | Too much 39.2 Gbps |
| 4K 240 Hz 10-bit | Too much 68.6 Gbps |
| 8K 60 Hz 10-bit | Too much 71.3 Gbps |