Vivify Launches UHS HDMI 2.1 48G Cables: 8K Monitors Era Comes Closer

News
By Anton Shilov
published

UHS HDMI cables for gamers are now here

(Image credit: Vivify)

Vivify has announced its first HDMI 2.1 cables that support a 48 Gbps bandwidth and may be used to connect 8K Ultra-HD televisions to PCs and next-generation consoles. Vivify is not a truly well-known brand for cables as it is mostly focused on cables for gamers, but this might make the announcement somewhat more noteworthy as the product launch emphasizes that HDMI 2.1 and 8K are indeed coming to the gaming industry.

When HDMI Forum announced the HDMI 2.1 specification three years ago, it essentially decoupled features from transport and allowed makers of consumer electronics to use the new brand with any cables that support certain HDMI 2.1 capabilities, but not all of them. For example, HDMI 2.1 supports such new features as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Media Switching (QMS), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and eARC that do not need 48G cables for content with up to 4Kp60 resolution and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling. As a result, there are now HDMI 2.1 and Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 48G cables that offer different levels of HDMI support. But there are more nuances.

(Image credit: Vivify)

The first HDMI 2.1 48G cables were unveiled back in late 2018, but at the time HDMI Forum did not have any certification program or at least compliance tests which could ensure that interconnections work fine at high data rates and support all the features properly. HDMI Forum planned to make its UHS HDMI cable certification program available last year and introduced it this January. Therefore, cable makers are now rolling out their certified UHS HDMI products. One of such companies is indeed Vivify.

Being a premium brand, Vivify introduced two UHS HDMI cables: the copper Xenos W31 with a two-meter (6.5 feet) length as well as a premium Arquus W75 fiber optical cable that is 4.5 meters (15 feet) long. The Xenos W31 is priced at $19.99 and is available at Amazon. The longer UHS HDMI cable will be naturally considerably more expensive when it hits the market at a later date.

(Image credit: Vivify)
Anton Shilov
Anton Shilov
Freelance News Writer

Anton Shilov is a Freelance News Writer at Tom’s Hardware US. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Paul Basso
    It is the same pinout and copper that HDMI 1,0, 1.4, 2.0
    I remember those over expensive HDMI cable that basically provided the same image and qualitry that the cheap ones. Probably will be difference in extra long cable but short ones surely will be the same
    Reply
  • Paul Basso said:
    It is the same pinout and copper that HDMI 1,0, 1.4, 2.0
    I remember those over expensive HDMI cable that basically provided the same image and qualitry that the cheap ones. Probably will be difference in extra long cable but short ones surely will be the same
    😁 yes. I had a salesman trying to sell me gold plated cables saying they would make the signals better LOL
    Reply
  • sizzling
    Paul Basso said:
    It is the same pinout and copper that HDMI 1,0, 1.4, 2.0
    I remember those over expensive HDMI cable that basically provided the same image and qualitry that the cheap ones. Probably will be difference in extra long cable but short ones surely will be the same
    I used to think the same but I’ve been looking at 2.1 48Gbps cables this week so I can run 4K 120Hz. All the cheaper cables on Amazon UK claiming to support 8k / 4K 120Hz had reviews saying they did not work. It seemed the good reviews were from people who didn’t actually need 48Gbps. I’ve tried 2 cheap cables so far and they don’t work at 4K 120Hz.
    Reply
  • OnFlight1978
    Admin said:
    Gaming brand brings UHS HDMI cables for GeForce RTX 3090 and 8K monitors.

    Vivify Launches UHS HDMI 2.1 48G Cables: 8K Monitors Era Comes Closer : Read more

    In the article it states "Therefore, cable makers are now rolling out their certified UHS HDMI products. One of such companies is indeed Vivify. "

    I contacted Vivify to verify before purchasing and their support provided the following response:

    Thank you for reaching out to us. The XENOS W31 doesn’t have the Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cable Certification but is all 8K compatible(eARC. etc). As a VIVIFY guarantee, if the cable does not work under a normal use during the warranty period, VIVIFY will replace a new one.
    It seems to conflict with what's posted in the article or perhaps it's my misunderstanding ...?
    Reply