With the improvement of the home entertainment experience over the years, the introduction of HDMI 2.1 cables became a game-changer in the industry. People were introduced to the crisp 8K resolution and high frame rates, complemented by high dynamic range (HDR) visuals.
Unfortunately, many people are robbed of this superior viewing experience because of counterfeit HDMI 2.1 cables, which fail to deliver the promised stellar service and features the original ones are known for. To avoid this from happening to you, we’ve prepared this short guide to help you differentiate genuine HDMI 2.1 cables from fake ones to ensure you’ll get to experience the best home entertainment viewing experience.
What kind of problems do counterfeit HDMI 2.1 cables present?
One of the many reasons some opt for counterfeit cables is that they cost much less than the original ones. Think of it this way: if you’re in business, you’d want optimum performance in operations, so you acquire high-quality and genuine tools, right? In HDMI cables, the fake ones’ low pricing comes with several risks that will lead to disappointing experiences, such as the following:
Poor performance. One of the common results of using fake cables is poor visuals because they lack the necessary capability to handle high-resolution content. Many experience choppy video playback, flickering, and even signal drops, which negatively affect their viewing experience.
Compatibility issues. Apart from affecting the visuals and displays, counterfeit HDMI cables are subpar in quality, with many of them not adhering to the standard HDMI 2.1 specifications. Because of this, compatibility problems arise, rendering you unable, if not struggling, to connect to your device.
Safety concerns. Another alarming concern about counterfeit HDMI cables is that they pose a safety hazard because of the way they’re poorly manufactured. As we all know, proper insulation is important, especially if you intend to use it for long hours. Low-quality materials may not be able to stand the temperature and overheat during use, which could increase the risk of electrical damage to your other devices and equipment.
Identifying the real deal: indicators of an authentic HDMI 2.1 cable.
Now that you’re aware of the problems fake HDMI cables present, here’s a quick guide to help you identify the authentic HDMI 2.1 cable from the counterfeit ones.
Look for the certification label. It always pays to check the label first, so see if it says on the packaging that it’s certified by the HDMI Licensing Administrator. It’s pretty hard to miss since the logo itself is holographic.
Check the specifications. Another deciding factor in determining whether your HDMI 2.1 cable is authentic is whether it explicitly states “Ultra High Speed HDMI” and enumerates all the features that come with it. With that said, avoid products that have vague descriptions.
Verify the name and logo. Since we mentioned the logo, it’s also crucial for you to verify if they use the official HDMI logo. If your cable has the official HDMI logo present on both the packaging and label, then it’s probably the real deal.
Check the price: Authentic HDMI 2.1 cables are priced higher compared to the fake ones because of their quality and features. So if you saw this being sold for way less than SRP, chances are it’s fake.
