If you’re still using old HDMI cables it may be time to upgrade as both the next-gen Xbox codenamed Project Scarlett and the Playstation 5 plan to support features that will require a high (18 Gbps) or ultra high (32 Gbps) speed HDMI cable to fully take advantage of.

Here’s what we know about Project Scarlett so far:

Microsoft is aiming for 4K @ 60 FPS Gameplay Phil Spencer stated in an interview with Gamespot that “People love 60 frames-per-second games, so getting games to run at 4K 60 [FPS] I think will be a real design goal for us.”

4K Blu-ray and Video Streaming  Much like the Xbox One S, Project Scarlett will be able to support UHD Blu-ray discs as well as video streaming in 4K HDR. To watch 4K videos with all the goodies enabled such as HDR and Dolby Atmos, you’ll need a high bandwidth HDMI cable.

Support for Variable Refresh Rate and Automatic Low-Latency Mode (ALLM) Variable refresh rate aims to reduce frame drops, screen tearing, and image jitters to enable smooth gameplay. Automatic Low-Latency Mode will automatically set your TV to “game mode” or an equivalent in order to decrease latency while gaming. Games should feel more responsive and you won’t need to wade through clunky menus everytime you want to game.

On the Sony side the following has been revealed:

Will Support 8K On the Sony side, Playstation system architect Mark Cerny stated that the next-gen console “will support 8K”.

Will Be Capable of 4K @ 120hz Sony one-ups Microsoft with Jim Ryan, president and CEO of Sony’s Playstation division, stating that the Playstation 5 will offer ultra-high definition 4K visuals at 120Hz. If you want to take advantage of 4K @ 120Hz or 8K you’ll need an HDMI 2.1 cable with bandwidth capability of up to 48 Gbps.

Of course, there are more details not covered here. For a quick recap see the image below courtesy of IGN.


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