All You Wanted to Know About HDMI Cables
As you may already know,HDMI cables are the primary way to connect devices to a TV or home theater set-up. HDMI cables can pass video, audio, and limited control signals.
Devices that may have HDMI connections include, TVs, video projectors, monitors, DVD, Blu-ray, ultra HD players, cable/satellite boxes, DVRs, home theater receivers, media streamers, game consoles, PCs and laptops, select digital cameras, camcorders, and smartphones.
HDMI is the established standard for sending both video and sound from a home entertainment device to a TV over one cable. It's the best way to hook up DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray players; video game consoles; and streaming media devices. If you're hooking anything up to your TV that's less than a decade old, HDMI is the way to do it. If you don't already have an HDMI cable (and if your new device doesn't include one), or if you just want to rearrange your home theater setup and find yourself lacking the slack you need, you're going to have to buy a new one.
Shopping for HDMI cables should be a simple process, but a wealth of choices, a wide range of prices, and a handful of potential holes to trip into can make it seem confusing and difficult.
You will notice three basic types of HDMI cables: Standard, High-Speed, and Ultra-High-Speed. However, within each type, there are subcategories.Here are the types of HDMI cables:
- Standard HDMI Cable: These cables are designed for common HDTV broadcast, cable, and satellite TV resolutions (up to 720p and 1080i) with a bandwidth capacity of up to 5 Gbps. It is optimized for HDMI versions 1.0 to 1.2a
- Standard Automotive HDMI Cable: This cable type has the same capabilities as a standard HDMI cable, but is used to connect portable or in-car DVD players and other devices to in-car video displays. Extra shielding is provided to suppress interference from other car electrical systems and wiring.
- High-Speed HDMI Cable: This type of cable is designed to handle video resolutions of 1080p and 4K (30 Hz) as well as provide support for 3D and Deep Color. Bandwidth transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps are supported. It is optimized for HDMI versions 1.3 to 1.4a.
- High-Speed Automotive HDMI Cable: This type supports the same features as High-Speed HDMI cables but is optimized for the automotive environment.
- Premium High-Speed HDMI Cable: This cable type is designed for reliable transfer of 4K/UltraHD resolution video, including 4K/60 Hz, HDR, and expanded color range. Cable bandwidth support is 18 Gbps and is optimized for HDMI versions 2.0/a/b.
- Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable: This cable type includes all of the capabilities of the other cables with added support for 8K video with HDR and even 10k resolution. It supports up to 48 Gbps bandwidth (transfer speed) and is less susceptible to EMI (electromagnetic interference) caused by some wireless devices. This cable type is optimized for HDMI version 2.1.
- HDMI Cables with built in ethernet: There are also Standard, High-Speed, Premium High-Speed, and Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables that may support an additional HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC). These cables are designed to allow multiple HDMI-connected devices to share a single traditional Ethernet connection to a broadband router at speeds of up to 100 Mb/sec. However, this feature is not normally implemented on devices.
When buying an HDMI cable, keep these tips in mind:
- Buy cables with the right connector for your devices.
- Buy the right cable length. Don't buy a cable that's too long, and make sure the length isn't so short that you can't move the components enough to provide easy connection access.
- Don't pay more than you have to. Price doesn't always reflect HDMI cable quality. Also, don't buy inferior cables. If the packaging has an official certification logo, the cable will work with reference to the other specifications listed. There are good quality HDMI cables priced as low as $10 for 6 feet. If you buy online, go through a reputable site such as Amazon, Accell, Monoprice, or CablestoGo.