Hey everyone! I recently did some testing with my RTX 5070 PC connected to a 4K 120Hz HDR TV. At first, I used a 5-meter HDMI cable and immediately noticed some banding, washed-out colors, and flickering text. I then switched to a shorter, thicker HDMI cable, which improved the image quality to 4K at 60Hz, but I still couldn't get 120Hz. So, I decided to buy an Ugreen HDMI 2.1 cable for about $15, which fixed most of the issues and I could finally enjoy 4K at 60Hz without banding. However, when I tried to enable HDR, I faced flickering and strange colors again. Plus, I found out that I could only achieve 120Hz at 1080p. I'm wondering if there's anything more I can do, like getting a DisplayPort adapter for my monitor, that could help improve what I'm seeing. Any thoughts?
4 Answers
It sounds like your experience really showcases how crucial the right HDMI cable is! If the cables you initially tried were older versions, they might not have been able to handle the 4K 120Hz signal properly. I've heard complaints similar to yours regarding that TCL TV model—it seems to be marketed with misleading specs. Stick with high-quality cables that specify they support the required standards.
For sure! If you're going for 4K 120Hz with HDR, you need a "very high speed" HDMI cable. Otherwise, you risk flickering or resolution limits based on the cable's specs. I faced that issue with my 4K 144Hz monitor until I upgraded my cable, and it made a huge difference!
Honestly, it sounds like that TCL model is a bit misleading in its advertising. While some TVs might claim to support 4K 120Hz, they can actually display 120Hz only at lower resolutions, like 1080p. You’re not alone in facing these issues; many have noticed the same with similar setups.
Yeah, I get the feeling I got a bit tricked! I'll have to look more into the specs next time.
Absolutely, but it's tricky! If you're seeing flickering or weird colors, it usually means the cable isn't up to par with what your setup demands. HDMI 1.4 cables, for example, can only do 4K at 30Hz at best. So if your cable doesn't match the specs needed for higher refresh rates or HDR, you'll definitely notice problems. It's all about bandwidth capabilities!
Right! I had a cheap HDMI cable once that claimed to be 2.0 but couldn't handle HDR properly. It's annoying how many manufacturers cut corners.
I totally agree! I had a similar experience when I switched cables. You think you're covered, but sometimes those older cables just don’t cut it anymore.