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  • How to Choose an HDMI Cable


    Choosing an HDMI cable can be a complex task. There are several factors that must be considered in order to select the best HDMI cable to meet the user’s requirements:

    • HDMI standards compliance
    • HDMI Cable Categories
    • Cable length
    • Cable quality
    • Active cables
    • HDMI devices
    • Price

    HDMI Cable

    HDMI Standards Compliance

    Each HDMI cable is rated to comply with a specific revision of the HDMI standards. A cable rated for HDMI 1.2a should meet the requirements of HDMI 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2, but is not guaranteed to meet the standards for HDMI 1.3.

    HDMI Cable Categories

    The HDMI standards define two cable categories. Category 1 HDMI cables support HDTV resolutions and frame rates. Category 2 cables are required for higher resolutions or higher frame rates.

    Cable Length

    The HDMI specification does not define a maximum cable length. HDMI cables are commonly available in 3′ to 50′ lengths.

    Purchasing a cable longer than necessary will cost more money, but it will also increase signal loss due to attenuation.

    Cable Quality

    All other factors being equal, a cable that is built to higher tolerances using better materials will outperform a cable that is built merely to meet a standards specification. In addition, these premium cables will often provide longer service lives.

    An HDMI cable can be made using 28 AWG wire, but a 24 AWG wire will create a sturdier cable that is more resistant to attenuation.

    As with traditional analog stereo cables, premium HDMI cables are often furnished with gold plated connectors to ensure the best possible signal quality.

    Active Cables

    For specialized high end applications, some manufacturers are selling active HDMI cables. These cables use a variety of technologies that involve boosting the transmission distance or quality through the addition of electrical power to the cable connection.

    Some of these active cables run over fiber optics or Cat-5 cable.

    HDMI Devices

    Another approach to supporting extremely long cable runs is to chain multiple HDMI cables together with amplifiers, repeaters, or equalizers.

    Price

    An HDMI cable only has to be good enough to support the equipment that it connects. It is useless to pay for a premium gold plated HDMI cable for a low end television set.

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    5 comments
    1. david

      30 July, 2019 at 9:11 am

      Which hdmi cable is suitable for the Zotac 98000 gt graphics card and fhd monitor?

      Reply
    2. agtrier

      10 July, 2015 at 2:03 pm

      The only use case for the mentioned “gold plated” HDMI cable is when the TV set is located in a caustic environment. That kind of environment where, of course, no TV set should ever be – even less a (human) viewer… in short: you don’t need them.

      Reply
    3. Amit Sapra

      10 March, 2011 at 11:33 am

      I wish to connect my LCD to My Laptop, I need to know the exact specifications of a good quality cable and also its approximate cost. Thanks and Wishes – Amit Sapra

      Reply
      • Annie liu

        26 June, 2013 at 7:54 am

        now the good quality is 1.4 version HDMI cable with high purity oxygen free copper conductor. Of course,its outsider is not important.If you requirement is too high. You only need pvc jacket.

        Reply
    4. bert

      5 March, 2011 at 5:40 pm

      exactly the info I was looking for Thanks much!

      Reply
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