Upgrading Your AV Receiver Wiring for 4K and Beyond

As technology advances and resolutions improve, the wiring in your home theater system may start to show its age. Cables that were cutting edge a few years ago may not be able to keep up with the latest and greatest in video and audio standards. If you've recently upgraded to a 4K or HDR TV, it's time to take a look at your AV receiver wiring to make sure it can handle the increased bandwidth of modern content. In this blog post, we'll walk through the different types of wiring upgrades you may need to support 4K resolution and high dynamic range.

HDMI Upgrades

HDMI has become the universal connection for modern home theaters, carrying both audio and video over a single cable. However, not all HDMI cables are created equal when it comes to supporting the latest standards.

HDMI Version

The HDMI version your cables support will determine the resolutions and features they are capable of passing through. The minimum recommended version to fully support 4K and HDR is HDMI 2.0. HDMI 2.0 cables have the bandwidth to handle 4K resolutions up to 60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma sampling as well as HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. Cables following the older HDMI 1.4 standard may struggle or be unable to pass through the full capabilities of 4K HDR content.

Cable Length

In addition to HDMI version, cable length matters as well. The longer an HDMI cable runs, the more potential there is for signal degradation over its wire. Most manufacturers recommend a maximum length of 15-25 feet for 4K HDR content. For longer runs between components, you may need fiber optic HDMI cables which are more resistant to signal loss over distance.

So when upgrading for 4K, check the HDMI version on your existing cables and replace any that are HDMI 1.4 or older. Also replace any longer cables that may be susceptible to interference. Stick with HDMI 2.0 or newer certified premium cables for the best likelihood of issues-free 4K playback.

HDMI Port Upgrades

While you're upgrading cables, pay attention to the HDMI ports on your AV receiver as well. Newer models include HDMI ports that support the latest standards but older units may be limited. For example, HDMI ports supporting only HDMI 1.4 or HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 1.4 copy protection will be unable to pass full 4K HDR from streaming devices.

If your AV receiver is more than a few years old, it may be worth upgrading to a newer model with HDMI 2.1 ports for peace of mind that all your inputs and outputs can pass full high resolution video. Otherwise you risk bandwidth limitations or incompatibilities that cause flaky playback.

Speakers and Surround Sound

Moving beyond video, upgrading your AV receiver itself enables you to take full advantage of object-based surround sound formats that leverage speakers in new positions. However, your speaker wiring also needs consideration for modern audio standards.

Speaker Gauge

Thinner speaker wire with higher gauge numbers like 22 or 24 may have been suitable for older 5.1 setups but could struggle to handle lossless object-based formats at higher resolutions. Heavier 14 or 16 gauge speaker wire ensures your home theater system has the bandwidth to pass the larger audio files of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D without loss of quality.

Speaker Configuration

If your AV receiver supports newer immersive audio standards, consider expanding or upgrading your speaker configuration as well. At a minimum, add height or in-ceiling speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X effects to reach the full potential of modern soundtracks. Audyssey MultEQ calibration also enables optimized playback for any new speakers added.

Digital Optical and Coaxial Connectivity

For some older AV receivers, digital connections like optical Toslink or coaxial may be the primary means of transmitting lossless multichannel audio from sources like Blu-ray players. However, these legacy connections often lack the bandwidth for object-based audio formats.

Optical cables are limited to Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 while coaxial tops out around Dolby Digital Plus. Neither can pass the larger Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio files required for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

If your AV receiver relies on these connections as inputs, consider upgrading it to one with HDMI inputs (with HDCP 2.2 compliance if using 4K sources) instead. HDMI is the future-proof choice for carrying the highest quality audio and is backwards compatible with legacy codecs as well.

Power and Cabling

Finally, don't neglect the power cabling supplying your AV receiver and its connected equipment. Power issues can lead to errors, dropouts or other problems, especially when hardware is trying to handle high bandwidth video and audio.

Make sure your AV receiver and other components are receiving clean, consistent power from quality power conditioners, surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). These help filter noises and regulate voltage to sensitive electronics.

For simpler systems, quality power cords can also reduce interference. While they seem trivial, proper power setup helps creates a rock-solid foundation for your home theater to perform at its best.

Conclusion

By upgrading HDMI cables, adding new speaker runs, and examining power supplies, your home theater can be ready to make the most of rising standards in home entertainment. Even small changes like new cabling can unlock an improved experience with 4K, HDR and object-based audio. Taking the time to "future proof" wiring prolongs the life of investments in both the AV receiver itself and new playback sources. With the right upgrades, you'll be equipped to enjoy the latest innovations for years to come.