Understanding HDMI Cables

HDMI specification numbers should not dictate your cable purchase unless it is a 4K signal involved with your video reproduction. HDMI specifications were written for device manufacturers so the HDMI interface will support features becoming available to the market. All of our cables have been tested by an HDMI Authorized Testing Center (ATC) to meet the bandwidth required to support the features commonly requested by electronics consumers. It is important to note that using a different cable type will not add or even defeat features like 3D, Audio Return Channel or HDMI Ethernet Channel, the device must have been designed with particular features.

There are essentially four standard cable types that apply to the AV market; High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet, High Speed HDMI Cable, Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet, and Standard HDMI Cable. Since all of these cables are backward compatible, we primarily offer the High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet so we can buy in larger volume and offer a lower price.

Of the characteristics that determine if an HDMI cable will function correctly at long lengths the most critical are; conductor size, shielding, and manufacturing tolerance. We have selected HDMI cable suppliers that use only high quality materials and proven manufacturing techniques to guarantee our HDMI cable selection will meet your needs.

If cables will be permanently installed within the walls of your house you will want to install CL2 rated HDMI cables. CL2 rated cables meet NFPA and UL specifications for in-wall cable installation. If you are not going to install the cable in the wall, we offer non-UL listed cables to save you money.

While on the subject of installing a cable in the walls, although active cables feature error correction for inherent loss associated with all copper cables, we often steer people away from this cable type. Any active circuit is vulnerable to electrical surges and spikes by any number of origins. If a cable has been permanently installed behind the wall it will be costly to replace.

The physical size of the HDMI interface can make installation difficult, especially with TVs mounted close to the wall. We offer cable and adapter solutions that help in tight installations. If the route between the source and TV is short we have Super-Slim HDMI cables. We also offer flat HDMI cables that really make installation easier. Keep in mind though, flat HDMI cables are not intended for installation underneath carpet.

There are three commonly used connector types from the HDMI specification. The Type A connector is the full-sized HDMI connector and is the most widely used. The Type C connector or HDMI Mini connector is a little smaller than Type A and is used for portable devices like camcorders. The Type D connector or HDMI Micro connector is less than half the size of the Type A connector and is used with video devices like mobile phones. We offer HDMI Mini and HDMI Micro to Type A cables for use with your portable devices.

With the move to 4K, the options do become a little more complicated. A 4K signal does require a larger bandwidth for proper video reproduction. So you will want to shop for a cable that is rated as Premium High Speed HDMI for up to 4K resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) at up to 60Hz; or for Ultra High Speed HDM which is rated for up to a 10K resolution with HDR at a 120Hz refresh rate (4K video can refresh at up to 240Hz).

HDR is an acronym for ‘High Dynamic Range’. This is really all about the expression of images and is a result of the depth of contrast between light and dark colors that a TV screen can produce. Or as the name directly states, the range of luminance that a television screen is able to render. As a result, TV’s and content using HDR will need more bandwidth in the cable used.

Refresh rate is a number that specifies how many times per second the image on your TV changes, and can also be confusing. With most TVs it's 60 or 120 Hz, though it's rare you'll ever see a TV with that number listed. A higher refresh rate will also increase the needed bandwidth for the cable used. Keep in mind that with HDR and higher refresh rates you will need content that actually takes advantage of those features. If the TV is showing your favorite show on cable or satellite or even the local news, it is not likely you will see the higher rates. A rate of 60 Hz or less is more common in those circumstances, so your source material has to offer 120 or 240 Hz or HDR content for the TV to reproduce it faithfully. And the cable needs to be able to support it as well to properly transmit to the signal to the TV.