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You’ve just unboxed that new TV or gaming system, only to face a series of identical HDMI ports located on the back. They all appear the same, leading to the belief that they all function identically. This assumption is at the core of several prevalent HDMI myths, and it’s a key reason many individuals fail to achieve the display quality they invested in with their televisions.
Not every HDMI port is identical, even on a single device. Certain ports may offer higher refresh rates and superior audio formats, while others may not. Connecting your console or streaming device to the “wrong” HDMI port can subtly degrade picture quality, increase input lag, or disable features that your TV openly promotes.
Grasping how HDMI ports and standards truly function is essential for maximizing the image, sound, and performance from your setup without squandering money and letting features go unused.