HDMI cable from iMac M1 to non-apple television not working

[Bayer]

Hi, Everyone!

I tried to connect my iMac M1 to my Samsung TV using a HDMI cable using an adapter, but it does not work. Does anyone know why? Does it need a special type of HDMI cable?

Thank you!

 

[TonyAguila]

Hi, Everyone!

I tried to connect my iMac M1 to my Samsung TV using a HDMI cable using an adapter, but it does not work. Does anyone know why? Does it need a special type of HDMI cable?

Thank you!

Not all HDMI cables are equal. The latest HDMI protocol is 2.1a. If you cable is “old,” it might be pre-2.0. I have a version 2.0 cable connecting my Intel Mac mini to my 4K Roku TV and it works fine. I also bought a 2.1 (not 2.1a) cable to connect my Mac Studio to my LG 4K HDR monitor and it worked but found it inferior to using Display Port. I will be trying a Thunderbolt 4 cable next, as soon as my order comes in.

Didn’t mean to be confusing—I just wanted to impress on you that there are a lot of variables with HDMI. If you wish to give it another try, and if you think your present cable is not up to the present standards, I suggest getting 2.1 or 2.1a. The latter should be labeled as 8K HDMI since anything before it, even 2.1, is not 8K-certified, I believe. Get the shortest length that you will need, even though HDMI is quite forgiving in that area, up to 20 feet, I think, but the less cable length, the less the problems due to impedance. They are surprisingly “cheap” compared to Thunderbolt 4 cables. $129 for a 1.8 meter cable from Apple?! Ouch!

P.S. I forgot to ask about the “adapter” you are using with the cable. What kind is it? Maybe the problem might be coming from it, not from the cable.

 

[Bayer]

Thank you for your reply! I use a CableCreation hub meant for the new iMac, which has the HDMI socket. The cable I have is rather old; I shall look for a 8k version.