This document shows specifics on HDMI bit rates, supported resolution types, and why the cable is limited by the devices limitations.

1. HDMI(R) Bit Rates per Resolution
Video Signal & Color in Color bit TMDS rate Single Link LWC Cable
Color Depth H lines V lines Frames bits/pixel Mode (Gbps) Rate (Gbps) Comment Supports? LWC Version
480p60 8-bit 858 480 60 24 1 0.25 0.74 HDMIv1.3 Standard Speed Yes E-HDM-M
720p60 8-bit 1650 750 60 24 1 0.74 2.23 HDMIv1.3 Standard Speed Yes E-HDM-M
1080i30 8-bit 2200 1125 30 24 1 0.74 2.23 HDMIv1.3 Standard Speed Yes E-HDM-M
1080p60 8-bit 2200 1125 60 24 1 1.49 4.46 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM
1080p24 8-bit 2200 1125 24 24 1 0.59 1.78 HDMIv1.3 Standard Speed Yes E-HDM-M
1080p24 10-bit 2200 1125 24 30 1.25 0.74 2.23 HDMIv1.3 Standard Speed Yes E-HDM-M
1080p60 10-bit 2200 1125 60 30 1.25 1.86 5.57 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM
1080p24 12-bit 2200 1125 24 36 1.5 0.89 2.67 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM
1080p60 12-bit 2200 1125 60 36 1.5 2.23 6.68 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM
1080p24 16-bit 2200 1125 24 48 2 1.19 3.56 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM
1080p60 16-bit 2200 1125 60 48 2 2.97 8.91 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM
Digital Signals are not measured in frequencies, resolutions, or refresh rates. They are measured in bit rates. The abbreviation "bps" is "Bits Per Second". A prefix
for the number is usually applied as in Mbps = Megabits per second, Gbps = Gigabits per second. The "Single Link Rate (Gbps)" column above shows the bit rate for
the resolution based upon the refresh rate and color depth. Examples of other signals that use bps are USB, Firewire, DVI, DisplayPort, DFP, and Modems
LWC currently tests standard speed cables to 4.95 Gbps, this is based upon the original HDMI 1.0 specification. The HDMI 1.2 spec established cable testing and
operation at 2.25 Gbps so we test over 2x the required level. HDMI 1.3 established a second higher threshold of 10.2 Gbps and labeled the old 1.2 spec level as
Category 1, the new higher level is known as Category 2. Our E-HDSM-M series is tested to 10.2 Gbps to 10m.
The small letter prefix after the spec is not a factor when applying the ratings. I.e. HDMIv1.3a, HDMIv1.3b etc. These are revision codes to the document where text
has been updated or changed. The cable performance specification remains unchanged.
We field questions asking for a 120 Hz HDMI cable. Currently there is no source that can supply this refresh and the TV's that advertise this are actually using a
1080p24 input and clocking their refresh by a 5x factor (I.e. TV screen refreshes 5x when source refreshes once). The benefits of this are currently being debated.
An example of a 120Hz refresh 1080p bit rate is supplied below.
Video Signal & Color in Color bit TMDS rate Single Link LWC Cable
Color Depth H lines V lines Frames bits/pixel Mode (Gbps) Rate (Gbps) Comment Supports?
1080p120 8-bit 2200 1125 120 24 1 2.97 8.91 HDMIv1.3 High Speed Yes E-HDSM-M, DLX-HDSM