The simple answer to the question “do monitors have HDMI ports” is yes, they do. Almost all modern monitors come with HDMI ports. HDMI, one of the most common multimedia interfaces, is abundant on computer monitors.
However, there may be cases where your monitor may not feature an HDMI port at all. If you have an old monitor, it should include the HDMI port.
Hence, to confirm whether your monitor has an HDMI port, check its port panel or the spec sheet.
The exact number and the version of the HDMI port on the monitor varies from model to model. So that you know, not all HDMI ports are the same. Some carry a higher bandwidth compared to others.
Generally, home and office users often use run-of-the-mill full HD monitors with one HDMI 1.4 port. Professional, enthusiast or gaming-grade monitors can have multiple newer-generation HDMI 2.0 or even HDMI 2.1 ports.
In the following text, I will discuss the HDMI interface and whether you can find HDMI ports on monitors.
A Primer on HDMI Versions
Before we delve deeper into the topic, it is worth pointing out that HDMI ports are unequal. Some are more robust than others, and their version determines that.
New HDMI Port versions can carry more data compared to their older counterparts. New HDMI interfaces can support higher resolution and frame rates.
The following table explains this in detail:
| HDMI Version | Max Resolution | Max Refresh Rate | Max Bandwidth (Gbit/s) | Effective Bandwidth (Gbit/s) | HDR? | Audio Technology Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 1.0 | 1080p | 1080p @ 60 Hz | 4.95 | 3.96 | No | - 8 Audio Channels |
| HDMI 1.1/1.2 | 1440p | 1440p @ 30 Hz | 4.95 | 3.96 | No | - 8 Audio Channels -Super Audio CDs |
| HDMI 1.3/1.4 | 4096 x 2160 (4K) | 120 Hz @ FHD Resolution 30 Hz @ 4k Resolution 24 Hz @ 4k Resolution | 10.2 | 8.16 | No | - 8 Audio Channels - ARC - Dolby TrueHD - DTS-HD |
| HDMI 2.0 | 4096 x 2160 (4K) | 60 Hz @ 4K Resolution | 18 | 14.40 | Yes | - 32 audio channels, - Dynamic Resolution Adaptation (DRA) - High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding (HE-AAC) |
| HDMI 2.1 | Upto 10240 x 4320 (10K) | Upto 120Hz @ 10K | 48 | 42.67 | Yes | - 32 audio channels - eARC |
Checking the Version of HDMI Port on Your Monitor
Unfortunately, since all HDMI ports look the same, the only definitive way to check what version of HDMI port you have on your monitor is through its spec sheet.
Most monitor spec sheets tell you precisely the version of HDMI port they have, such as this one below for HP 24mh:
In case a monitor does not specify the version of the HDMI port it has, you can deduce it by looking at its max resolution and refresh rate.
For instance, if a monitor supports 4k resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate, we can deduce that the port conforms to HDMI 2.0 since the older HDMI 1.4 can only support 4K @ 30Hz.
Learn More Here: How to Check HDMI Port Version?
So Do Monitors Have HDMI Ports?
Undoubtedly, most monitors, particularly those released in the last decade or so, have HDMI ports.
In rare instances, if you have a very old LCD monitor, it may miss out on the HDMI port and instead feature a VGA or a DVI-D port.
There are two ways to check whether your monitors have HDMI ports.
- Physically Checking the Video Ports On Your Monitor
- Referring to the Specsheet
- Physically Checking the Video Ports on Your Monitor
1. Physically Checking the Video Ports on Your Monitor
You can physically look at the monitor’s video ports to check if it has an HDMI port.
You will first need to know what an HDMI port looks like. The port seems like a USB port but has a trapezium-like body instead of a square shape.
There are also different HDMI connectors. However, we only concern ourselves with the Type A ports.
Once you can identify what an HDMI port looks like, you can use the knowledge to check whether your monitor has an HDMI port.
2. Referring to the Specsheet
I already discussed this earlier for checking the version of the HDMI port.
Hence, naturally, you can also use the spec sheet to verify whether you have an HDMI port on your monitor and, if so, how many.
Take the spec sheet for ASUS Tuf Gaming VG28UQL1A; for instance, this premium gaming monitor does not have one but four HDMI ports. Two conform to HDMI 2.0 specs, whereas the others work to HDMI 2.1.
While having 4xHDMI ports on a monitor is undoubtedly an overkill – what could you possibly attach to so many ports – but they do give you the luxury of plugging in your PC in one port, gaming console in the other, and perhaps other multimedia devices in the rest of the slots.
Some Monitors Have No HDMI Ports
It is undoubtedly possible for monitors to have no HDMI port; however, this is generally observed on very old monitors released more than a decade ago or so.
Take Acer V6 V226HQL, for instance. This monitor was released in 2014, and it lacks an HDMI port. It only features a VGA and a DVI port.
Also Read:
FAQ
Can Monitors Have two HDMI Ports?
Yes, monitors can have two or even more HDMI ports. While most monitors often feature various ports such as one HDMI, one DP, one VGA, one DVI-D, etc., on some monitors, you can find multiple HDMI ports just because this is the most common port out there.
Why Do Monitors Have Multiple HDMI Ports?
Some monitors may feature two or more HDMI ports for convenience. Since HDMI ports are found on various multimedia devices, you can use the two ports on a monitor to add two devices simultaneously.
You can use one port for your PC while the other for your gaming console, for instance, and you can switch between the two using the control buttons on the monitor – similar to changing a TV channel.
Some premium monitors also have PiP or Picture-in-Picture features, allowing you to simultaneously see the source of two or more HDMI ports on one screen.
Also Read: Do Monitors Come with HDMI Cables?
Final Words
So the answer to the question “do monitors have HDMI ports?” is a resounding yes.
While the older monitors may lack one, if you have a monitor that was bought in the last decade and was mainly bought in previous years, there is a high chance it would have an HDMI port.
