QED announces new ultra high-speed HDMI cables for 8K TVs

I don’t know about you, but it hardly seems any time since I bought a 4K TV but in the world of technology, nothing stands still for long. We’re starting to see 8K TVs on the horizon and they’re soon going to be more popular, especially for larger screens in public spaces.

To ensure the data-rich signals get to these 8K screens, a regular HDMI won’t work. Now, British audio specialists, QED has introduced its Performance Ultra-High-Speed HDMI 2.1 cable, designed to handle high-quality, uncompressed 8K video at up to 60 frames per second.

This new cable succeeds QED’s Performance Premium range of digital cables. Despite the better specifications, the price remains surprisingly affordable. This new HDMI 2.1 cable is the result of QED’s exhaustive research into cable design over the past 25 years.

Supporting the latest HDMI 2.1 standard, this new specification cable achieves the fastest copper-based data rate ever conceived, raising the maximum throughput from 16 Gb/s of the previous premium cable standard (HDMI 2.0) to a whopping 48 Gb/s. The higher speeds support uncompressed video resolutions up to 8K @ 60Hz (4:2:0) with 12-bit HDR. The cable can also carry uncompressed 4K @ 120Hz video while delivering the promised maximum compressed video resolution of up to 10K @ 120Hz.

Lastly, Dynamic HDR and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), are also supported no matter what brand or combination of HDMI 2.1 compatible equipment it’s used with. High Dynamic Range (HDR) support was introduced with HDMI version 2.0. HDR-compatible TVs and equipment can deliver a greater contrast ratio and more brightness steps to give a smoother picture and more detail in both bright and shadowy areas. A related technology usually associated with HDR is Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), which offers an expanded color palette.

UHS-sticker
The new QED cables have a QR code that can be scanned to ensure the cables are genuine. HDMI.ORG
QED Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables undergo mandatory testing at an HDMI Forum Authorized Testing Centre. This is done to ensure compatibility with the new 2.1 video standards. The tests also ensure low levels of electromagnetic radiation which reduces the possibility of interference with wireless networks, streaming media players, Bluetooth devices and mobile phones.

To achieve this level of shielding, QED uses a triple-shielding design that protects against interference for optimal signal quality. QED is one of the first brands to officially adopt the new cable category as part of the brand’s new Performance Ultra-High-Speed range. The cables have received official approval from the HDMI Forum accredited laboratory and are labeled with the Ultra High-Speed Certification Program stickers. Scanning a QR code on the label using the official HDMI app will reveal if the product is a genuine QED Ultra Speed HDMI cable.

All the cables in the new range are completely backward compatible with HDMI 2.0b and 1.4b standards and are available in 1.5- and 3-meter lengths. Forbes