ARC is a feature introduced with
interface v1.4.
You do not need an "HDMI cable with ARC", for example - you need the
devices at each end to have ARC.
From HDMI.org itself:
http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_1_4/arc.aspx
Quote:
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All HDMI cables will support Audio Return Channel functionality when connected to Audio Return Channel-enabled devices. You can use your existing HDMI cables or choose a different cable type.
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http://www.hdmi.org/consumer/finding_right_cable.aspx
As before, the official specification says that there are two main types of cable - Standard and High Speed - and each of those can be found with or without Ethernet.
Standard cables are certified for 720p and 1080i, High Speed cables are certified for 1080p, 3D, 4K, etc.
Yes, as qasdfdsaq pointed out that does not necessarily mean that only High Speed cables can "handle" 1080p, but as I said in my original post it is what each type is
certified to "handle".
Some Standard cables may well be able to do 1080p etc., but they were not
tested and certified to do so, while there will other Standard cables that could be of sufficiently poor quality that they really can only do 1080i and not 1080p (as with where you say some cheap cables may have problems with 1080p but not 1080i).
So, I would always go for High Speed, to make sure.
As for bandwidth...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Version_comparison
The max. bandwidth of interface v1.3 and v1.4 is the same (10.2Gbps), even though v1.4 adds additional 3D support, 4K@30, etc.
Interface v2.0, which adds 4K@50/60 etc., has a higher max. bandwidth of 18Gbps... yet *still* works with High Speed cables.
http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_2_0/
http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdm...i_2_0_faq.aspx
Quote:
Can existing HDMI cables support the higher bandwidths of HDMI 2.0 Specification?
Yes, existing High Speed HDMI Cables (wire only) will support the new higher bandwidths (up to 18Gbps).
HDMI 2.0 specification defined a new, more efficient signaling method, for speeds above 1.4b limits (10.2Gbps), to allow higher bandwidths (up to 18Gbps) over existing High Speed HDMI Wire Cables.
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Does HDMI 2.0 require new cables?
No, HDMI 2.0 features will work with existing HDMI cables. Higher bandwidth features, such as 4K@50/60 (2160p) video formats, will require existing High Speed HDMI cables (Category 2 cables).
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