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
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.