![]() ![]() Instead these specialized ports are for more specialized uses, like adding functionality for custom installations, or providing technician access for calibration. ![]() These unusual connectors generally aren't used by the end user, because they're not for connecting any sort of media device or entertainment equipment. If you're at all familiar with TV ports, or even have just taken a moment to familiarize yourself with the basic connections listed above, you might still find that some TVs have a connection or two that aren't found on that list. Most TVs are equipped with Bluetooth these days, but check the specifications for any TV you're considering, as some TVs use Bluetooth exclusively for pairing the remote control, or will let you connect audio devices, but not peripherals like a keyboard. Used for both wireless audio and data transfer, Bluetooth can be used for a variety of devices, from wireless headphones and speakers to peripherals more common to the office, such as keyboards and game controllers. These newer standards offer more data throughput for handling the increased demand of 8K video, but do require a compatible router with the same faster standard.īluetooth: The other connector without a port is Bluetooth. Some newer TVs, such as Samsung's latest 8K TVs, are equipped with the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard or the supercharged variant Wi-Fi 6E. It's sufficient for streaming full HD and even 4K video, but it's prone to becoming a bottleneck in certain situations. ![]() The majority of current TVs use 802.11 AC Wi-Fi, which is a common, but aging standard. Wi-Fi: One of two important connections that you won't see on the connector panel of your smart TV is Wi-Fi. If possible, we recommend connecting smart TVs over Ethernet. While most people will opt for Wi-Fi to connect their smart TV for streaming and other online uses, Ethernet will actually offer a higher data transfer rate, and is free from the interference that Wi-Fi can sometimes experience in crowded environments with lots of wireless devices. Learn more in our guide What is HDMI ARC?Įthernet: Ethernet or Local Area Network (LAN) is a wired connection to your home network. The biggest improvement eARC offers is support for full-resolution audio signal, meaning that it supports Dolby Atmos and other uncompressed sound formats. It offers two-way communication between devices over a single HDMI connection, letting you use a single HDMI cable to connect a TV and soundbar, using that single HDMI as both an input and an audio output.Ī newer version of ARC is included in HDMI 2.0 and 2.1, called enhanced audio return channel (eARC). If you find yourself with more devices than you have ports, you should probably get one of the best cheap HDMI switchers to add some extra connections.įind out more about the latest HDMI offerings in our article What is HDMI 2.1? Here’s everything you need to know.ĪRC or eARC: It's also likely that one of those HDMI ports will be labelled ARC, which is short for Audio Return Channel, a feature of some HDMI connections. Generally speaking, most current TVs have 3 or 4 HDMI ports (we recommend opting for more when you can). HDMI 2.1 - used by the latest game consoles and found on higher-end TVs, HDMI 2.1 offers more bandwidth for supporting higher frame rates, up to 8K resolution, and a number of distinct features.HDMI 2.0b - An update to HDMI 2.0 that added support for Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) video, which is a different form of HDR used in TV broadcasting.HDMI 2.0a - An update to HDMI 2.0 that added support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) metadata.Unless specifically identified as HDMI 2.1, this is the most common HMDI version in use on today's TVs. HDMI 2.0 - Supports 4K picture and refresh rates up to 60Hz.HDMI 1.4 - Supports 1080p and 720p video and sound, but generally isn't used on modern 4K TVs.More often however, you'll need to dig into the user's manual or find the product page for your TV and look at the technical specifications to determine which are which. If you're lucky, these are clearly marked on your TV, along with identifying what standard they use. ![]() In fact there are three primary versions of HDMI that you're likely to find on today's TVs, each with slightly different capabilities and features. ![]()
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