# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Display Cables

HDMI 1.3 vs. HDMI 2.1

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:
HDMI 1.3
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 1.3 →

HDMI 1.3, released June 22, 2006, roughly doubled maximum bandwidth to 10.2 Gbps and introduced Deep Color (up to 48-bit color depth), lossless audio bitstream support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and the smaller Type C Mini connector.

View full HDMI 1.3 spec sheet →
HDMI 2.1 →

HDMI 2.1 increases total bandwidth to 48 Gbps via Fixed Rate Link (FRL). It mandates Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable certification and supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and eARC.

View full HDMI 2.1 spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
HDMI 1.3
HDMI 2.1
Max Resolution @ Refresh Rate
1920x1080 @ 144Hz or 2560x1440 @ 75Hz 8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz (10K with DSC)
Release Date
June 22, 2006 —
Max Bandwidth (raw / video)
10.2 / 8.16 Gbps —
Max Color Depth (Deep Color)
48-bit (16 bits/channel) —
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
— 48 Gbps (FRL 4 lanes)
Pin Count
— 19 Pins (Type A)
Display Stream Compression (DSC)
— DSC 1.2a Supported
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
— HDMI Forum VRR & Quick Media Switching (QMS)
Max Audio Channels
— 32 Channels (eARC up to 192kHz / 24-bit uncompressed)
Max Recommended Cable Length
— 3 Meters (Passive Ultra High Speed) / 100m+ (Active Optical AOC)

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. DisplayPort 1.0 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. DisplayPort 1.2 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. DisplayPort 1.4 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. DisplayPort 2.1 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. DVI → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. HDMI 1.0 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. HDMI 1.4 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. HDMI 2.0 → Compare HDMI 1.3 vs. VGA →