Can HDMI Support 3440×1440 Resolution?

Yes, HDMI CAN support 3440×1440 Resolution. However, having the proper HDMI port and a suitable cable to help it would be best. Hence, whether HDMI can support 3440×1440 depends on a few factors.

You see, there are different versions of HDMI ports and speeds at which the HDMI cables are rated.

You need to ensure that your display devices, such as the monitor, and the source device, such as the computer, support the correct ports and the version of HDMI.

In the following text, I will discuss HDMI and its support for the UWQHD resolution, i.e., 3440×1440.

What is 3440×1440 Resolution?

3440×1440 is also called the UWQHD or Ultra Wide Quad High Definition Resolution.

Displays conforming to this Resolution have a 21:9 aspect ratio compared to the 16:9 aspect ratio of standard widescreen displays.

This Resolution is often found on premium-grade monitors for gaming or professional editing.

As far as professional work goes, this Resolution is preferred by video editors as it gives them an excellent comprehensive view of their timeline and the workspace.

MSI Optix MPG341CQR
Source: MSI Optix MPG341CQR

Is 3440 x 1440 4K?

No, UWQHD resolution is NOT the same as 4K. 4K UHD has a resolution of 3840 x 2160. Real 4K has a resolution of 4096 x 2160.

So Can HDMI Support 3440 x 1440 Resolution?

The short answer to this query is Yes, HDMI CAN support this Resolution if you have the compatible version.

How well the Resolution is supported depends upon the version of the HDMI port, though.

There are different versions of HDMI ports. The most common HDMI port is HDMI 1.4. But the best HDMI port at the moment is HDMI 2.1.

HDMI VersionMax ResolutionMax Refresh RateMax Bandwidth
(Gbit/s)
Effective Bandwidth
(Gbit/s)
HDR?Audio Technology
Supported
HDMI 1.01080p1080p @ 60 Hz4.953.96No– 8 Audio Channels
HDMI 1.1/1.21440p1440p @ 30 Hz4.953.96No– 8 Audio Channels
-Super Audio CDs
HDMI 1.3/1.44096 x 2160 (4K)120 Hz @ FHD Resolution
30 Hz @ 4k Resolution
24 Hz @ 4k Resolution
10.28.16No– 8 Audio Channels
– ARC
– Dolby TrueHD
– DTS-HD
HDMI 2.04096 x 2160 (4K)60 Hz @ 4K Resolution1814.40Yes– 32 audio channels,
– Dynamic Resolution Adaptation (DRA)
– High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (HE-AAC)
HDMI 2.1Upto 10240 x 4320 (10K)Upto 120Hz @ 10K4842.67Yes– 32 audio channels
– eARC

The table above shows the different HDMI versions and the maximum Resolution and refresh rate they can support.

HDMI 1.4 can support up to 4K resolution. Since 3440×1440 is lower than 4K, HDMI 1.4 supports it too.

However, HDMI 1.4 CANNOT support 3440 x 1440 at a 60Hz refresh rate! This is because HDMI 1.4 does not have enough bandwidth.

HDM1 1.4 can support the typical 1920 x 1080 at 120 Hz. However, with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, you would be lucky to get a consistent refresh rate of 50 Hz with HDMI 1.4.

To support 3440 x 1440 with at least a 60 Hz refresh rate, you will need to have HDMI 2.0 at least.

HDMI 2.0 is generally found on relatively newer PCs. While dedicated graphics cards have featured HDMI 2.0 for a long time, HDMI ports on laptops or desktop motherboard I/O panels commonly adhere to HDMI 1.4.

So long story short, while even the essential HDMI 1.4 can support 3440 x 1440, you must have HDMI 2.0 to support this Resolution at the respectable 60 Hz refresh rate.

Does HDMI Support 3440 x 1440 at 100 Hz or 120 Hz, or 144Hz Refresh Rates?

That depends upon whether you have HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, or HDMI 2.1

HDMI 1.4 has a max bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps (8.16 Gbps effective). HDMI 2.0 has a max bandwidth of 18 Gbps (14.40 Gbps effective).

Here I would like to point you to two popular online calculators you can use to test how much data your monitor would generate and, thus, if an HDMI port can support it.

So basically, with an 8-bit color depth, a 3440×1440 display would generate:

  • 76 Gbps at 100Hz
  • 46 Gbps at 120 Hz
  • 88 Gbps at 144Hz

Hence, you will need at least an HDMI 2.0 for supporting 3440 x 1440 at 100 Hz and an HDMI 2.1 for supporting 120 or 144 Hz refresh rates.

However, take note that this is without HDR enabled. With HDR enabled, each pixel takes 10 or 12 bits (depending on your HDR version).

With HDR enabled and a higher color bit depth of the monitor, the video interface will generate more data and thus may require a newer HDMI version.

Both the Source and the Display Need to Have the Compatible HDMI Port

To make the 3440 x 1440 resolution work on HDMI with 60 Hz or more, you need to have at least an HDMI 2.0 port, not just on the monitor but also on the source (i.e., PC / laptop).

You cannot have HDMI 2.0 input port on the monitor and connect it to HDMI 1.4 output on your PC and expect a 3440 x 1440 resolution to work at 60 Hz.

The HDMI 1.4 will essentially be the bottleneck here.

You Also Need to Have the Right Cable?

Depending upon your monitor’s refresh rate and color depth, you must choose the right type of HDMI cable.

Regular gaming monitors typically have a color depth of 8 (16 million colors). A professional ultra-wide screen monitor intended for editing work could have a color depth of 10-bit (1 billion colors) or even 12-bit.

So basically, the higher the color depth and the higher the refresh rate you seek to achieve with the monitors, the more robust an HDMI cable you need.

As such, there are different standards for HDMI cables. Each cable type carries a certification for the speed it is designed for.

These include:

  • Standard HDMI: Your average run-of-the-mill HDMI cable for 720P or 1080P screens.
  • High Speed: These have a max bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps. Great for up to 4K Resolution @ 30 Hz refresh rate.
  • Premium High Speed: Great for up to 4k @ 60Hz, HDR, and High Color Depth. Have bandwidth of 18 Gbps max.
  • Ultra High Speed: Great for up to 8K @ 60 Hz or 4K @120Hz with high color depth. Have max bandwidth of 48 Gbps.

The more advanced certification a cable carries, the more expensive it would be naturally.

Premium
Premium Certified HDMI Cable

For 3440 x 1440, I recommend you go for cable with the Premium High-Speed certification, as this can ensure that you can maintain a 60 Hz or more refresh rate at high resolutions.

The best part about these cables is that they are designed to support monitors with a high color bit depth.

Also Read: How to Check HDMI Cable Version?

Final Words

The answer to “Can HDMI Support 3440×1440 resolution?” is a yes. However, you must have at least an HDMI 2.0 on your PC and monitor to support this Resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What Other Ports Support 3440×1440 Resolution?

DP 1.2 is one of the most popular ports to connect displays with higher than FHD resolution. Therefore, if you are missing an HDMI 1.4, try it with a DP 1.2 port.

DP 1.2 can support up to 4K resolution at 60Hz.

Other ports that support 3440×1440 at 60Hz or beyond are the newer iteration of HDMI, such as HDMI 2.1, as well as the newer iteration of Display Port, such as DP 1.3, DP 1.4, and DP 2.0.

2. Can VGA and DVI Port Support 3440×1440?

No, the VGA and the DVI ports do not support UWQHD resolution. They do not have sufficient bandwidth.
VGA supports a maximum of 2048×1536 (QXGA) resolution, whereas DVI supports a maximum of 2560×1600 resolution.

3. Do I need a special cable to support 3440×1440 resolution over HDMI?

To support 3440×1440 resolution over HDMI, you will need a High-Speed HDMI cable that supports at least HDMI 1.4. It’s important to note that not all HDMI cables are created equal, so make sure to choose a cable that is rated for the resolution and features you need.

4. Can I connect multiple displays with 3440×1440 resolution using HDMI?

Yes, you can connect multiple displays with 3440×1440 resolution using HDMI, but you will need a graphics card that supports multiple HDMI outputs.

You may also need a HDMI splitter or hub to connect multiple displays to a single HDMI port on your computer or device.

5. How do I troubleshoot display issues when using HDMI for 3440×1440 resolution?

If you’re experiencing display issues when using HDMI for 3440×1440 resolution, there are a few things you can try.

First, make sure that your HDMI cable is securely connected to both your computer or device and your display. You may also want to try a different HDMI cable or port. If you’re still having issues, try adjusting your display settings or updating your graphics drivers.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to consult the documentation for your computer or display or contact the manufacturer’s customer support for further assistance.

Also Read: Can I Plug HDMI 2.1 Cable Into a 1.4 Port?

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Author:

Pratik

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