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Free Tool
Calculate the uncompressed bandwidth of a video signal and instantly see which interfaces (HDMI, SDI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt) can handle it.
Signal requires
9.95 Gbps
3840x2160 @ 60fps, 10-bit 4:2:2
Enter your interface bandwidth above or select a preset to check compatibility.
When planning an AV system, you need to know whether your cables, switchers, and converters can handle the video bandwidth required by your signal. An uncompressed 4K60 10-bit 4:2:2 signal, for example, requires about 12 Gbps — more than a single HD-SDI link can carry, but well within HDMI 2.0 spec.
Uncompressed video bandwidth is: Width x Height x Frame Rate x Bit Depth x Colour Channels. Chroma subsampling (4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0) reduces the data rate by lowering colour resolution. This calculator accounts for all these variables to give you an accurate Gbps figure.
HDMI 1.4 supports 10.2 Gbps (enough for 4K30 4:2:0 8-bit). HDMI 2.0 supports 18 Gbps (4K60 4:2:0 or 4K30 4:4:4). HDMI 2.1 supports 48 Gbps, unlocking 4K120 and 8K60.
SDI is used in professional broadcast and comes in fixed data rates: HD-SDI at 1.485 Gbps, 3G-SDI at 2.97 Gbps, 6G-SDI at 6 Gbps, and 12G-SDI at 11.88 Gbps. Quad-link 12G-SDI can handle 8K signals.
4:4:4 is full colour resolution — essential for graphics and text. 4:2:2 is the broadcast standard and halves the chroma data. 4:2:0 quarters it and is used in streaming and consumer delivery. Choosing the right subsampling affects both bandwidth and image quality.
Use this calculator alongside H2R Gear to diagram your entire signal path. See which cables connect where and confirm every link in the chain can carry your video signal.
Ready to get organised?
Start using H2R Gear to plan your next setup.