The HDMI 2.1 format showcases the ability to display content at 4K resolution as well as high refresh rates, specifically for the latest gaming consoles as well as high-powered computers.
Recently, the HDMI Licensing Administrator has introduced a new update to the HDMI 2.1a format by introducing the HDMI Power Cable function to the format. This function is used to ensure that an HDMI cable has sufficient power to send data from the source to the display without data loss.
Typically, an active HDMI cable will come with a USB Type-B or Type-C plug head to supply power to this HDMI cable, but with the HDMI Power Cable function, this function can be used with only one plug head.
The difference here is that both the media source and the HDMI cable used need to come with HDMI Power Cable support in order to use. For regular users, this function will also be loaded onto an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable that has a length exceeding a few meters to ensure it has enough power to send large amounts of data from the source to the screen display.
HDMI also shows how to use this cable, as unlike a typical passive HDMI cable, it has directions that need to be installed precisely for this additional power flow. HDMI also says that this cable can be used with devices that come with support for other HDMI formats.