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Thunderbolt vs. HDMI: Key Differences Explained

thunderbolt hdmi interface display connectivity

This article breaks down the differences between Thunderbolt and HDMI, two common interface types used for connecting devices, especially for display purposes.

Introduction:

HDMI is a widely used display connector found on a variety of electronic devices. Thunderbolt, on the other hand, is primarily used for both video and data applications and is more commonly found on computers.

Thunderbolt Interface

Thunderbolt technology is a high-speed, dual-core I/O protocol designed to offer superior performance compared to older I/O technologies. It boasts a bi-directional speed of 10 Gbps and essentially supersedes the Firewire interface.

Thunderbolt interface Image alt: Thunderbolt interface

Thunderbolt supports both data and video transmission over a single cable, utilizing dual protocols (PCI Express and DisplayPort). It allows daisy-chaining of up to 6 devices. This technology makes it possible to connect laptops to high-performance storage, displays, and multimedia devices via a single cable.

Key features of Thunderbolt:

  • Compatible with existing DisplayPort devices.
  • Utilizes native PCIe and DisplayPort protocol software drivers.
  • Supports power delivery over the cable for bus-powered devices.

There are different versions of Thunderbolt, including Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, and Thunderbolt 3, each offering improved data transfer speeds.

  • Thunderbolt 1: Supports 10 Gbps bi-directional, dual-channel data transfer.
  • Thunderbolt 2: Supports 20 Gbps.
  • Thunderbolt 3: Supports 40 Gbps.

HDMI Interface

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. It is used to connect smart devices to displays and transmits both audio and video signals over a single cable.

HDMI Connector types Image alt: HDMI Connector types

The image above shows the different HDMI connector types, including standard, Mini, Micro, and automotive connection systems.

HDMI Connector pins Image alt: HDMI Connector pins

HDMI cable features:

  • Audio formats: DTS, Dolby, etc.
  • Video formats: 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 480p, etc.
  • Supports PAL/NTPC TV standards
  • Backward compatible with DVI
  • Category 1: Supports a pixel speed of 75 MHz, bandwidth of 2.23 Gbps, and can carry 1080i uncompressed signals.
  • Category 2: Supports a speed of 340 MHz and a bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps, supporting 1440p and WQXGA resolutions.

Difference between Thunderbolt and HDMI

The following table highlights the key differences between Thunderbolt and HDMI:

FeaturesThunderboltHDMI
Display SupportSupports two or higher resolution 5K displays.Supports a single display at a maximum of 4K 60 Hz.
ConnectivitySupports both standard PCI Express and Mini DisplayPort on a single cable.Supports both audio and video signals transfer over a single cable.
Connector TypesThunderbolt 1, 2, and 3. Thunderbolt 1 and 2 support Mini DisplayPort shaped connectors. Thunderbolt 3 supports USB Type-C connectors.HDMI Type A (Standard HDMI), Type C (Mini HDMI), Type D (Micro HDMI), and Type E (Automotive Connection System) based on the connector.
Refresh RateThunderbolt 3 supports refresh rates of 30 to 240 Hz at resolutions up to 1440p and 4K from 30-120 Hz.HDMI is limited to a 30 Hz refresh rate. HDMI 2.0 supports 1080p output at 144 Hz.
Universal SupportInitially, Thunderbolt was limited to Apple devices. Thunderbolt 3 supports other PCs and devices.It is a universal standard for display interfaces, which is ubiquitous.
SpeedThunderbolt 1 supports 10 Gbps, Thunderbolt 2 supports 20 Gbps, and Thunderbolt 3 supports 40 Gbps.HDMI cat-1 supports a bandwidth of 2.23 Gbps, and HDMI cat-2 supports a bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps.
Distance20 Gbps cables support 1-2 meters. 40 Gbps cables support 0.5m to 2 meters. 10 Gbps cables support a maximum distance of up to 100 meters.HDMI cat-1 supports 35 meters, and HDMI cat-2 supports 10 meters.