Use HDMI for devices that send your TV a picture and sound—streaming players, consoles, disc players, cable boxes and computers. Use USB only for functions your specific TV supports, such as playing files from storage or connecting approved peripherals. A soundbar or receiver belongs in the HDMI socket marked ARC or eARC when both devices support it.
HDMI and USB are designed for different jobs
The connectors can sit beside each other on a television, but they are not interchangeable inputs. HDMI is the normal connection for an external source that generates video and audio. Sony’s TV help guide describes HDMI as carrying digital video and audio on one cable. A streaming box, game console, Blu-ray player, set-top box or laptop normally sends its display signal through HDMI.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
USB is controlled by the television’s software. The TV may recognize a flash drive, hard disk, camera, keyboard or another peripheral, but only if that model supports the device, file system, formats and intended function. A USB socket can also supply power to an attached device without accepting its video signal. Plugging a streaming stick or console into USB therefore does not turn USB into a general video input.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Port labels matter because two sockets with the same shape can have different capabilities. Sony notes that connector types and shapes vary by TV, and a model may reserve one USB socket for service or updates while another supports media playback. Read the exact model manual before buying a cable, drive or adapter.
#1 Best Overall
- Superior Display, Swift Connectivity: Elevate your viewing experience to unparalleled clarity with 8K@60Hz, and enjoy smoother visuals and reduced lag with support for 4K@120Hz and 4K@60Hz.
- Quick and Seamless Video Transfer: With the latest HDMI technology, stream or transfer videos without interruptions, and witness the power of up to 48 Gbps in bandwidth, ensuring consistently clear content.
- Lasts Longer, Performs Stronger: This cable is designed to withstand up to 1,000 bends throughout its lifespan, meaning fewer replacements and continuous peace of mind.
- One Cable, Many Solutions: Whether you're connecting tablets, laptops, HDMI devices, projectors, or desktop screens, this cable effortlessly connects them all.
- What You Get: HDMI Cable (6 ft, 8K), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Quick comparison: USB or HDMI?
| Question | HDMI | USB |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Receives an external video-and-audio source | Performs TV-specific storage, playback, recording or peripheral functions |
| Typical devices | Streaming player, console, disc player, cable box, computer | Flash drive, external storage, camera, keyboard, mouse or other supported accessory |
| Signal direction | Device sends picture and sound to the TV; ARC/eARC can send TV audio back to an audio system | Depends on the TV function; it is not normally a video-input path for a source device |
| Format limits | Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, HDCP and gaming features depend on the TV input, source and settings | File system, capacity, codecs, power limits and recording support depend on the TV model |
| Cable concern | Choose a cable category that matches the required signal, such as Premium High Speed for compatible 4K/HDR or Ultra High Speed for compatible 8K/HDR setups | Use the storage or peripheral connection specified by the TV manual |
| Port labeling | Look for HDMI IN and, for audio return, ARC or eARC | Look for a media-capable USB port; a service or update label may indicate a different purpose |
Which port should each device use?
| Device or use | Usual TV connection | Checks before connecting |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming player | HDMI IN | Use a compatible HDMI input and provide power as specified by the player and TV manuals. USB power alone does not establish video compatibility. |
| Game console | HDMI IN | Check the input’s supported resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and ALLM features, then set the console to a mode the TV accepts. |
| Blu-ray or other disc player | HDMI IN | Match the player’s output resolution and HDR mode to the TV input; HDCP compatibility can affect protected content. |
| Cable or satellite box | HDMI IN | Select the corresponding HDMI input and use the box’s recommended output settings and cable. |
| Laptop or desktop | HDMI IN, or a compatible adapter to HDMI | Set an output resolution and refresh rate supported by the TV. Confirm that the computer connector and adapter carry video, not just charging or data. |
| Soundbar or AV receiver with audio return | HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC | Both devices must support the same ARC/eARC capability; enable HDMI-CEC and the related audio-return setting. |
| USB flash drive or external storage | USB | Verify playback or recording support, file system, capacity, file types and codecs for the exact TV model. |
| Digital camera or camcorder | USB if listed by the TV manual; otherwise the camera’s supported video output | Check how the camera presents files or video and whether the TV accepts that connection mode. |
| Keyboard, mouse, webcam or other peripheral | USB only when the model documentation lists support | A USB connector by itself does not guarantee driver or application support. |
Streaming players and consoles
Connect the player or console’s HDMI output to an HDMI IN socket on the TV, select that input with the remote, and connect power according to the device instructions. Some small streaming players can draw power from a TV USB socket, but that is only an electrical convenience. The player still sends its picture and sound through HDMI, and the TV may not provide enough current on every USB port. If the player restarts, displays a low-power warning or fails to start, use the supplied power adapter or the power method specified in its manual.
For a console, the HDMI socket’s capabilities can determine whether you get 4K, HDR, high refresh rate, variable refresh rate (VRR) or automatic low-latency mode (ALLM). If a console offers a feature but the picture is limited, try the TV input identified for enhanced or high-bandwidth signals, enable the model’s applicable HDMI signal format, and select a supported output mode on the console. The exact labels and menu names vary by television.
Computers
A computer with a full-size HDMI output can connect directly. A device with USB-C, Mini DisplayPort or another connector needs an adapter or dock that explicitly supports video output and the desired resolution and refresh rate. Do not assume that every USB-C port carries a display signal. After connecting, choose the TV as a display in the operating system and set a mode the TV manual lists as supported. If the image is cropped, use the TV’s aspect or picture-size control and the computer’s display-scaling settings rather than changing cables at random.
Rank #2
- 4K HDMI UHD Transmission, Stunning Audio & Visual for Home Theater & Gaming： Enhanced with gold-plated connectors for high-speed, interference-free signal transmission. Supports 4K*2K UHD resolution (3840×2160), delivering crystal-clear imagery and full HD stereo sound—perfect for immersive home theater movie nights, gaming marathons and big-screen TV viewing
- High-Speed Bandwidth, Instant Transmission for Real-Time Playback： Fully compliant with High-Speed HDMI cable 2.0 standard for max-speed data transfer. Blazing-fast transmission of audio, video and image files with zero buffering, ideal for 4K streaming, real-time gaming and seamless laptop-to-projector presentations. Plug-and-play design, no driver installation needed for effortless one-step connection
- HDMI 2.0 Standard Compliant, Universal Compatibility for All A/V Devices： Built to fully comply with official HDMI 2.0 standards after rigorous professional quality testing. Featuring broad backward compatibility with HDMI 1.4/1.3/1.2 generations, this cable effortlessly pairs with smart TVs, game consoles, Blu-ray players, projectors, laptops and set-top boxes. Enjoy stable plug-and-play connectivity across every piece of your home audio-visual gear.
- Premium Crafted Material, Ultra Durable for Daily Home Use & Frequent Use： Exclusive SR joint design at both ends to prevent joint cracking at the source. Rigorously lab-tested to withstand over 15,000 bends without performance loss, built to endure daily plug-and-unplug, messy entertainment area setups and regular home use—ensuring long-lasting durability against daily wear and tear hdmi cable
- 100% Component Inspected, Uncompromising Quality for Long-Term A/V Enjoyment： Every single component of the cable undergoes multiple rigorous lab tests for performance and sturdiness. Only flawlessly tested parts are selected for assembly, guaranteeing top-tier product performance and extended service life with strict quality control—reliable for years of home theater, gaming and everyday big-screen use hdmi
Disc players and set-top boxes
These sources are HDMI devices even when they include USB sockets of their own. HDMI carries the player’s menu, video and sound to the TV. Protected movies can also require HDCP compatibility between the source, cable and TV. If menus appear but a movie does not, update the source as directed by its manufacturer and check the TV and source HDCP and signal-format requirements.
How to choose the right HDMI input and cable
Do not choose a port solely by its physical position or by an HDMI version number printed on a package. Capability is determined by the specific TV input, source device, cable and settings. Look for labels such as 4K, 120 Hz, 8K, HDR, gaming, ARC or eARC, then confirm the meaning in the manual.
- Resolution and refresh rate: Verify that the selected input accepts the combination your source will output. A TV may support a high refresh rate on one HDMI socket but not another.
- HDR: Confirm that the TV input and source both support the HDR format you intend to use and that the relevant enhanced-signal setting is enabled.
- HDCP: Protected streaming and disc content may require compatible HDCP versions throughout the connection.
- VRR and ALLM: Gaming features are optional capabilities, not automatic results of having an HDMI connector.
- Signal-format settings: Some televisions ship with an input in a standard mode and require you to select an enhanced, high-bandwidth or similar option in the settings menu.
For compatible 4K content, Sony’s guidance calls for a Premium High Speed HDMI cable and an appropriate HDMI signal-format setting. Roku’s guidance for compatible arrangements specifies Premium High Speed HDMI for 4K/HDR and Ultra High Speed HDMI for 8K/HDR. Treat these as signal-dependent recommendations, not a promise that every 4K television needs the same cable. The source, TV input and intended frame rate must all support the target mode.
Rank #3
- 【Crystal-Clear Visuals: Experience Unmatched 8K Clarity】 Elevate your home entertainment with our 8K HDMI cable 15ft . Supporting 48Gbps High Speed, indulge in seamless transitions between 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz resolutions for crystal-clear visuals. Experience the vibrancy of Dynamic HDR, immersive 3D visuals, and HDCP2.2 & 2.3 compliance for an unparalleled viewing experience
- 【Gaming Excellence: Elevate Your Gaming with Next-Level Performance】 Our enhanced 8K long HDMI cable amplifies gaming experiences. Featuring an advanced audio return channel (eARC), enjoy superior high-definition audio compared to standard 4K cables. Bid farewell to picture freezes and tears with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, ensuring smoother gameplay. This 15 ft HDMI cable is your ultimate choice for exceptional gaming performance across all compatible devices
- 【Seamless Compatibility: Versatile Connections Across Devices】 Backward compatible from HDMI versions 2.1 to 1.1, our 8K HDMI 2.1 cable 15 ft seamlessly connects laptops, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, monitors, Series X/S, CX C9 B9, AMD, Nvidia RTX 3080/3090, and various HDMI output devices. Immerse yourself in the latest high-bitrate audio formats including DTS Master, DTS:X, Atoms, and enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) across various setups, from 4K/8K UHD TVs to projectors and A/V Receivers
- 【Durable Performance: Sleek & Durable Copper Build for Longevity】 Crafted with advanced copper wire technology, our HDMI 15ft cable ensures greater bandwidth and durability. Experience minimal signal attenuation, superior interference resistance, and increased carrying capacity compared to traditional wires. It's the ideal choice for pre-built HDMI 2.1 cables, ensuring long-term performance without future cable replacement costs during home upgrades
- 【Lifetime Support & Precision: Quality Assurance and Bidirectional Transmission】 At Highwings, quality and customer support are top priorities. Enjoy lifetime support with our 8K long HDMI cable 15 ft. Our customer service team is available within 13 hours to assist with any cable-related issues. Remember, our cables support bidirectional transmission and are designed for optimal performance, ensuring the perfect picture on your chosen display device
A short, certified cable of the appropriate category is usually a safer choice than an expensive cable advertised only with a version number. If a long run is required, follow the TV and source manufacturers’ guidance and test the complete setup at the required resolution and refresh rate.
Recommended Free Tools
Soundbar or receiver: use ARC or eARC
When the TV and audio system support audio return, connect the soundbar or receiver to the TV’s HDMI socket labeled ARC or eARC. This lets the TV send audio from its internal apps, antenna or other sources back to the audio system over the HDMI cable, reducing the need for a separate audio lead.
- Locate the TV HDMI port explicitly marked ARC or eARC. Do not assume that every HDMI input has audio-return capability.
- Connect that port to the soundbar or receiver’s HDMI ARC/eARC port. Use the cable type recommended by the manufacturers, especially when you plan to use higher-bandwidth eARC formats.
- Open the TV’s sound or external-input settings and enable HDMI-CEC and ARC/eARC. The brands of these controls differ, so use the labels in the TV and audio manuals.
- Select the audio system as the TV’s output and choose a compatible digital-audio format. If the devices negotiate only ARC, use the formats that ARC supports.
- Test an internal TV app and an HDMI source. If one works and the other does not, check that source’s audio-output setting and the TV’s pass-through or digital-audio option.
eARC can carry additional uncompressed audio formats, but those enhancements require eARC support on both the TV and audio device. If only one component has eARC, a compatible ARC connection may still work with fewer audio options. When the soundbar or receiver has no ARC/eARC input, follow the TV manual for another supported connection, such as optical audio.
Rank #4
- 【HDMI 2.1 Certification】Only 1% of HDMI cables on the market have passed HDMI 2.1 certification. Scan with the QR code Scanner app for verification
- 【120Hz/144Hz Gaming Excellence】Elevate your gaming experience with smooth 4K@120Hz gameplay for PS5 and Xbox, and ultra-responsive 4K@144Hz for PC. Whether you’re pushing your console or PC to the limit, enjoy unparalleled performance across all platforms(Requires game to support 4K@120Hz)
- 【Exclusive "E-Braid" Technology】Experience unprecedented durability with our unique double-layer fishnet winding and nylon braiding techniques. Copper cores and ferrite magnetic beads ensure uninterrupted signals, eliminating black screens and flickering
- 【HDMI 2.1-48Gbps Bandwidth】Unleash the full potential of your devices with lightning-fast data transfer rates, ensuring seamless connectivity for all your high-definition needs
- 【Next-Level Resolution Support】Dive into the future with support for mind-blowing resolutions, including 10K 8K@60Hz, 12-bit; 5K@120Hz/90Hz, 12-bit; 4K@144Hz/120Hz, 12-bit; and 2K@240Hz/165Hz
Using a USB drive for movies, music or photos
USB playback is model-specific. A television may accept one drive format and reject another, recognize some video containers but not others, or support a codec for playback while excluding it from recording. A product specification for Sony’s XR-85X90K, for example, lists two side USB ports and a defined set of playback codecs; those details apply to that model, not to all televisions.
- Find the exact model number on the TV’s rear label or in its settings and open the manufacturer’s support page or manual.
- Confirm which USB socket supports media playback. Avoid a port identified only for service, diagnostics or software updates unless the manual also lists playback.
- Check the accepted file system, maximum capacity, supported photo, audio and video containers, codecs, subtitle rules and any recording restrictions.
- Format or prepare the drive using a computer only after backing up its contents. Formatting erases existing files.
- Copy a small test file in a listed format, eject the drive safely, connect it to the TV and open the media-player or input menu.
- If the file is listed but will not play, compare its video and audio codecs—not just its filename extension—with the TV’s specification.
Large portable drives can draw more power than a particular USB socket supplies. A drive may disconnect, fail to appear or make the TV restart. Use the power arrangement approved in the manual, try another supported USB input, or use externally powered storage when the manufacturer permits it. If the drive’s body blocks an adjacent socket, move it to another permitted input rather than forcing the connector sideways.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCan a streaming stick use USB instead of HDMI?
Usually, no. A streaming stick’s video output is designed for HDMI. The TV’s USB port may power the stick, but it generally does not receive the stick’s picture. Connect the stick to HDMI and use USB only for power when the TV and stick documentation explicitly allow that arrangement. If the TV cannot supply stable power, use the stick’s external power adapter.
Best Value
- IN THE BOX: HDMI cable (A Male to A Male) for connecting 2 HDMI-enabled devices; 3 feet long in Black
- DEVICE COMPATIBLE: Connects Blu-ray players, Fire TV, Apple TV, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and computers to TVs, displays, A/V receivers, and more
- SUPPORTS 4K VIDEO: Supports 4K video at 60 Hz, 2160p, 48-bit/px color depth, as well as bandwidth up to 18Gbps, Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return Channel (ARC)
- EASY CONNECTION: Share an Internet connection among multiple devices (no need for a separate Ethernet cable)
- BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE: Works with earlier versions to allow for use with a wide range of HDMI-enabled devices
Troubleshooting by symptom
No picture from an HDMI source
- Confirm that the cable is connected to the source’s HDMI output and the TV’s HDMI IN, then select the matching input.
- Try the TV input recommended for the source’s resolution or gaming mode.
- Power off the source and TV, reconnect the cable firmly, then power the TV on before the source.
- Set the source temporarily to a basic resolution and refresh rate known to be accepted by the TV.
- Check the TV’s HDMI signal-format setting and the source’s HDR, color and HDCP options.
- Substitute a known-good cable of the category recommended for the signal. If another source works on the same input, the original source or its settings may be responsible.
Picture appears but is limited to a lower quality
Check the individual input’s supported resolution and refresh rate, enable its enhanced or high-bandwidth mode if the manual requires it, and verify the source output settings. A cable that works for ordinary HD may not reliably carry a higher-bandwidth 4K/HDR or high-refresh signal. Replace it with the appropriate Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed category when the TV and source call for that class.
USB drive is not recognized
- Make sure the socket supports media playback rather than service or updates only.
- Confirm the drive’s file system and capacity are listed as compatible.
- Test a smaller drive and a single file in a supported format.
- Check power requirements, especially for portable hard disks.
- Safely eject the drive from the computer and reconnect it directly to the TV without an unapproved hub.
USB file is visible but will not play
Compare the file’s container, video codec, audio codec, resolution, frame rate and subtitle format with the TV’s published playback list. Converting the file to a supported format may help, but do not assume that changing the extension changes the codec. Recording support is a separate feature and may require a particular drive type or TV setup.
No sound through the soundbar
- Verify that both ends use the ARC/eARC-labeled HDMI sockets.
- Enable HDMI-CEC and ARC/eARC on both devices.
- Set the TV’s audio output to the external system and try a compatible digital-audio mode.
- Confirm whether the soundbar and TV both support eARC; otherwise use ARC-compatible formats.
- Test another TV source and, if necessary, follow the manual’s optical-audio procedure.
A practical port-selection checklist
- Does the device send a live picture and sound? Start with HDMI.
- Is it a file-storage or peripheral task explicitly supported by the TV? Use USB.
- Is the device a soundbar or receiver returning TV audio? Use the HDMI ARC/eARC port.
- Do you need 4K/HDR, high refresh rate, VRR, ALLM or 8K? Match the source, input, settings and cable category.
- Does the connector require an adapter? Verify that the adapter carries video and supports the required signal.
- Are you relying on a USB drive? Check file system, capacity, codecs, power and playback or recording support for the exact model.
- Are two ports physically identical? Read their labels and the model manual; shape alone does not reveal their features.
The reliable rule is simple: HDMI is the TV’s general path for external video sources, while USB is a model-specific tool for storage and supported accessories. ARC and eARC are HDMI functions reserved for compatible audio return, so the label and the manuals determine the correct connection.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
