- A
4K at 60Hz
Why wrong: HDMI 1.4 cannot output 4K at 60Hz; that requires HDMI 2.0.
- B
1080p at 120Hz
Why wrong: The scenario asks for 4K, and HDMI 1.4 can do 4K at 30Hz, not 1080p at 120Hz.
- C
4K at 30Hz
HDMI 1.4 is limited to 4K at 30Hz, so this is the maximum the laptop can output.
- D
1440p at 60Hz
Why wrong: While HDMI 1.4 can do 1440p at 60Hz, the customer wants 4K, and the question asks for maximum resolution.
Question 803 of 1,020
HDMI 1.4 and 4K Resolution: Why You Get 30Hz
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A customer wants to connect a laptop to a 4K TV for a presentation. The laptop has an HDMI 1.4 port, and the TV supports HDMI 2.0. What is the maximum resolution and refresh rate the customer can expect?
Quick Answer
The answer is 4K at 30Hz. This limitation occurs because HDMI 1.4, the version on the laptop’s port, has a maximum bandwidth of 10.2 Gbps, which is only sufficient to carry a 4K resolution signal at a 30Hz refresh rate. Even though the TV supports HDMI 2.0 and can handle 4K at 60Hz, the connection is forced to the lowest common denominator—the laptop’s output port. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of HDMI version capabilities and bandwidth bottlenecks, often appearing as a “what is the maximum” question where the trap is assuming the display’s higher spec determines the outcome. Remember the memory tip: “1.4 is for 30, 2.0 is for 60”—the port version always sets the ceiling.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
4K at 30Hz
HDMI 1.4 is limited to a maximum data rate of 10.2 Gbps, which supports 4K (3840×2160) only at 30Hz due to insufficient bandwidth for 60Hz. The TV's HDMI 2.0 capability does not increase the laptop's output; the connection operates at the lower version's capabilities. Thus, the maximum achievable is 4K at 30Hz.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
4K at 60Hz
Why it's wrong here
HDMI 1.4 cannot output 4K at 60Hz; that requires HDMI 2.0.
- ✗
1080p at 120Hz
Why it's wrong here
The scenario asks for 4K, and HDMI 1.4 can do 4K at 30Hz, not 1080p at 120Hz.
- ✓
4K at 30Hz
Why this is correct
HDMI 1.4 is limited to 4K at 30Hz, so this is the maximum the laptop can output.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
1440p at 60Hz
Why it's wrong here
While HDMI 1.4 can do 1440p at 60Hz, the customer wants 4K, and the question asks for maximum resolution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
This question tests the misconception that the display's higher HDMI version will override the source's lower version, leading candidates to choose 4K at 60Hz (Option A) without recognizing that the laptop's HDMI 1.4 port is the limiting factor.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
HDMI 1.4 cannot output 4K at 60Hz; that requires HDMI 2.0.
Scenario analysis trap
The scenario asks for 4K, and HDMI 1.4 can do 4K at 30Hz, not 1080p at 120Hz.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HDMI 1.4 uses TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) with a 340 MHz pixel clock, limiting 4K to 30Hz at 8-bit color depth without chroma subsampling (4:4:4). To achieve 4K at 60Hz, HDMI 2.0 increased the pixel clock to 600 MHz and introduced 18 Gbps bandwidth, but backward compatibility forces the link to negotiate the lowest common version. In real-world scenarios, users often mistakenly assume the TV's HDMI 2.0 port will 'upgrade' the laptop's output, but the source device's HDMI version is the bottleneck.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Display Devices — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 4K at 30Hz — HDMI 1.4 is limited to a maximum data rate of 10.2 Gbps, which supports 4K (3840×2160) only at 30Hz due to insufficient bandwidth for 60Hz. The TV's HDMI 2.0 capability does not increase the laptop's output; the connection operates at the lower version's capabilities. Thus, the maximum achievable is 4K at 30Hz.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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