HDMI became the standard connection in flat-screen TVs from the mid-2000s, signifying the definitive move to digital technology and replacing analog SCART and CVBS. The standard has since evolved, establishing itself as the de facto interface between TVs and other A/V devices. It continues to offer a single-cable solution while adding more features and keeping up with trends for higher resolutions and refresh rates. In today’s smart TVs, HDMI ports are present, ensuring connectivity with the latest video, gaming, streaming and audio devices.
In the bid to meet demand for higher bandwidth and enhanced features, the most up-to-date HDMI 2.2 specification was introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2025. It supports up to 96Gbps bandwidth and 8 and 16K high definition.
“The HDMI Forum’s continuing mission is to develop specifications to meet the HDMI eco-system’s growing demand for high-performance capabilities and features. This new specification supports the fast-evolving landscape for amazing new technologies and products entering the markets now and in the future,” said HDMI Forum president Chandlee Harrell.
HDMI 2.2 became available to TV and display manufacturers in the first half of 2025, according to an article by James Davidson on TechRadar. This means compliant devices can be expected in 2026 at the earliest.
Keeping up
The global retail market for HDMI cable assemblies reached $2.348 billion in 2024, rising by 6.16 percent over the previous year, according to an article posted on Hunan Beijiesi Information Consulting’s Market Monitor website. Of this total, the breakdown by specification was 24.83 percent for HDMI 1.4, 25.98 percent for HDMI 1.4a, 23.94 percent for HDMI 2.0 and the remainder for earlier versions. Key applications accounting for this demand increase were smart TVs, set-top boxes, laptops, desktop computers, and gaming and audio devices.
In small and midsize smart TVs, HDMI 1.4 connectors and cable assemblies remain widely used, with capabilities of 10.2Gbps bandwidth, 24-bit color depth, 4K resolution or 3840x2160dpi at 30Hz and 3D video support. Meanwhile, HDMI 2.0, with up to 18Gbps, 48 bits, 4K at 60Hz and 3D video, is still adopted in most midsize and large smart TVs.
However, in the midrange and high-end segments of the smart TV market, HDMI 2.1 has gradually taken over the earlier specifications in recent years. This is because the latest version can deliver 48Gbps maximum bandwidth, 8K resolution at 60Hz refresh rate or 4K at 120Hz and 48-bit color depth. In addition, HDMI 2.1 supports up to 32 audio channels and offers eARC, Ethernet, dynamic HDR, VRR, ALLM, QMS and DSC features.
First-tier smart TV brands, such as Hisense, TCL and Xiaomi, already switched to HDMI 2.1 in their new product releases.
As such, many manufacturers of these super high-speed HDMI connectors and cable assemblies are looking forward to benefiting from the shipment of 8k TVs in 2025, which will post a 400 percent increase over the volume reached in 2020 based on Omdia’s forecast. QY Research has projected that HDMI 2.1 will be a $520-million market by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.6 percent from 2024.
Captive market
Thanks to China’s steadily growing smart TV market, HDMI interconnects makers there are counting on sustained demand in the coming years. This application reached $14.79 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit $16.66 billion in 2030 at 2.5 percent CAGR from 2025, according to the Qianzhan Industrial Research Institute.
The report includes the forecast that large 4/8K smart TVs will become mainstream, encouraging interconnects companies to increase their production. Many raised their output by 10 percent in the past year and will continue to do so despite the effect of US tariffs on China’s exports. They have been actively looking for alternative markets domestically and in Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific region and remain optimistic about future opportunities.
Domestically owned manufacturers of HDMI interconnects ship products from factories found in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Changzhou and Ningbo. Ugreen, Samzhe and Choseal are among the leading ones. International players, such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic and Belkin, have production facilities in China as well.
China-made HDMI interconnects
Widely available HDMI interconnects for smart TVs in China are connectors and cable assemblies based on the 1.4, 2.0 and 2.1 specifications.
The connectors, in Type-A male and female versions with 19 pins, have copper alloy contacts with 6 to 50µ gold plating, phosphor bronze PCB terminals and copper alloy shells with nickel coating and thermoplastic housings. These have 0.5A and 40VAC rated current and voltage, 500VAC withstand voltage, 30mohm maximum contact resistance, 100Mohm minimum insulation resistance and -40 to 85 C operating temperature.
The cable assemblies are available in lengths ranging from 1 to 5 meters for copper types and up to 300 meters for fiber-optic versions.
Customization is widely accepted, and most companies ensure their products meet safety standards such as UL, CE and RoHS.
Materials used, including copper, optical fiber, gold, tin and PE, are usually sourced from domestic providers. Their costs are expected to remain stable, but prices of HDMI 2.1 cable assemblies may continue decreasing due to competition.
Here are ready-to-source HDMI connectors and cable assemblies from verified suppliers on GlobalSources.com.
HDMI connector, ≤30mohm contact resistance
Company: Shenzhen Homyet Parts Electronic Co. Ltd
Rated at 40V, 0.5A, the HY-DP-01 HDMI connector from Shenzhen Homyet has ≤30mohm contact and ≥100Mohm insulation resistance, and 500VAC/min dielectric withstand voltage. The minimum insertion force is 44N, the withdrawal force 7 to 25N and the life span 10,000 cycles.
MOQ: 3,000 units
Lead time: 7 days
HDMI connector, copper contacts
Company: Shenzhen MUP Industrial Co. Ltd
From Shenzhen MUP, the H21201-01 HDMI connector has copper contacts, a UL94V-0 base and a copper or SPCC shell. It has 0.5A current rating, 500VAC/min dielectric withstand voltage and -40 to 85 C temperature range. This unit meets RoHS standards.
MOQ: 650 units
Lead time: 14 days
Detachable HDMI 2.1 fiber-optic cable assembly
Company: Suniin Technology Co. Ltd
Suniin offers this CE-marked and RoHS-compliant detachable HDMI 2.1 cable assembly, the SNPF21GEN4AK, which supports 8K resolution at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz and has a bidirectional fiber-optic cable with seven 50/125ohm OM3 fibers.
MOQ: Negotiable
Lead time: 7 days
HDMI 2.1 cable assembly, bending-resistant
Company: Zhongshan Zhenfu Electronics Co. Ltd
The CH-0142-08 from Zhongshan Zhenfu is a braided HDMI 2.1 cable assembly that supports 8K resolution at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. It has gold-plated Type-A connectors with chrome-plated zinc housing. The 28AWG wires have a triple-layer shielding and a cotton yarn sleeve, ensuring the cable can withstand over 3,000 cycles of 90-degree bending.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 25 days
