How to choose the right HDMI cable. Its purpose

Many modern LED TVs equipped with all possible ports, one of which will be an HDMI connector. It is designed to connect additional devices and transmission of audio and video signals. Whether it's a 4k Ultra HD movie on a laptop or the Xbox 360 gaming platform, in order to display the picture from them on the screen you will need a good HDMI cable. It would seem that such a useful thing should come with a new TV, but this is not always the case. The user is often forced to buy it himself. And, before choosing an HDMI cable for your TV in 2017, it would be good to find out about its types, cost and latest versions. When you go to an electronics store, you can easily make a mistake and buy a Chinese counterfeit. Sometimes, even consultants cannot distinguish it from the original, and it is almost impossible to check an HDMI cable for quality. In addition, the price for it can be very high. To avoid a low-quality purchase and spend your money wisely, TV-Prost experts give brief recommendations on choosing such an accessory.

Application area

The transmission of high-quality content is ensured by the HDMI cable for the TV. Its throughput can reach 18 Gbit/s. This protocol was developed in 2002 and is widely used in all household appliances. This cable not only transmits high-quality picture and clear sound to the TV, but also saves space. So one copes with the function of five or six ordinary cords. An HDMI cable is used to connect a laptop to a TV and other equipment. For example, using a cord, a user can connect a computer to a monitor or a digital video camera. Most often we see a connection between a TV and a game console or Blu-Ray player using an HDMI cable. It has become so popular that equipment manufacturers supply all popular devices with this connector, such as digital set-top boxes, projectors and computers.

More details in the video:

Expensive or cheap

The cost of cables depends on the manufacturer and the quality of the cord itself. You can buy it for either 250 rubles or 3000. The higher the price category, the better the connection and transmission of the necessary content will be. It is recommended to pay attention to cords from well-known manufacturers. Speaking about which company to choose an HDMI cable - these are ProLink, Belkin and Sven. Accordingly, these companies are now leaders in sales of HDMI cables for connecting a computer to a TV.

Types and versions

HDMI cables are divided into several types:

• Standard is the most common type. Its bandwidth is 720r. It is used in everyday life to connect home equipment. For example, to connect a monitor to a computer, printer or game console.
• Standard with ETHERNET - as the name suggests, this cord is designed to connect to the Internet. It has an additional round of wires that facilitate data transfer. Use this wire to connect the router to the TV. Signal transmission is equal to 720p.
• High-speed HDMI cable - designed for 4k Ultra HD television. It is capable of transmitting images to the highest quality screen with a resolution of up to 3840*2160 pixels.
• High-speed with ETHERNET - also designed for digital equipment in 4k Ultra HD format, but at the same time has the ability to work with the Internet. Thanks to this species, the user can watch their favorite content from the servers.

Regardless of the type, this cord has different versions that affect the data transfer speed. Before choosing an HDMI cable for your TV in 2017, find out which version your model supports. Almost all modern devices support HDMI 2.0 and buying a cord with a smaller version is not advisable. In mid-2017, manufacturers announced the release of a newer 2.1 standard on TV, which will handle even an 8k UHD signal. All we have to do is wait, but for now 2.0 is the optimal version.

Advice! If you have a good TV in terms of image quality, which has a screen resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels (4k Ultra HD format), you need to choose a high-speed HDMI cable with Ethernet (High Speed) version 2.0!

Despite the variety of different devices for connecting digital devices, the user most often needs only one HDMI cable for the TV. Selecting it will not be difficult if you understand its functions in detail. First you need to determine how long the wire is needed. Lengths up to 25 meters are available on sale, but experts do not recommend purchasing such a cord. Typically, the length affects the throughput; accordingly, a long cord can bring with it not only a high-quality picture, but also various interference. Accordingly, for a new TV the average price category It is better not to take a cord longer than 10 meters.

The quality of data transmission is affected not only by the length of the cord. An HDMI cable is made from a variety of materials that can absorb some of the information being transmitted. For example, the standard type is made of oxygen-free copper, and the high-speed type is made of copper. This difference contributes to the transmission speed and picture quality on the TV screen. If the user wants to purchase a quality product, it is recommended to choose a wire with an admixture of expensive metals. This option will no longer lose image clarity or audio playback.

The choice of thickness directly depends on the length. The longer the cord, the thicker the HDMI cable for your TV should be. It is worth focusing on the following data.

1. A thickness of 7 mm corresponds to a cable length of up to 5 m;
2. Length from 5m to 10m corresponds to thickness 8mm;
3. From 15m in length, a thickness of 9mm is used.

Each type of equipment has a different input hole designed for an HDMI cable. Connectors are designated by letters or the words micro and mini.

To preserve transmitted data and protect against interference, a special weave is used to cover the cable. The essence of this procedure is that each pair of wires is well protected from external factors. This type of assembly will extend the service life, since the wire is protected from external damage.

More information about such a cord and more can be found in the video:

Conclusion

Which HDMI cable should you choose? Firstly, it should be no longer than 10 meters so that the TV image and transmission speed are maintained at a good level. The thickness, accordingly, is not less than 7 mm. Secondly, the material from which the wire is made must contain an admixture of expensive metals. Thirdly, it is recommended to choose a cable that is shielded under the braid. Fourthly, don't save money. The more expensive the cord, the higher its capacity and level of reliability. Before choosing an HDMI cable for your TV, decide in advance what equipment you are purchasing it for. Each equipment has an individual connector.

tv-prost.ru

How to choose an HDMI cable for a computer, TV or set-top box

It's very hard to meet today modern device for playing media that does not have an HDMI connector. IN Lately this type The connector has become traditional for signal transmission (HD), so the question of how to choose an HDMI cable often faces many people. Many devices are equipped with HDMI outputs: BluRay players, TVs, DVD players, xbox 360, but they are not always included with the device. Therefore, to the owner specified devices you have to buy them yourself.

Popularity of HDMI cables

Despite the huge demand for all devices with HDMI output, this cable owes its popularity precisely to the xbox 360 game consoles and, of course, to televisions. The modern gaming console xbox 360 was developed by a giant in the world of computer technology - by Microsoft. The Xbox 360 console is a third-generation console that allows you to play online and download popular media content (demo versions of games, music trailers). Being the main competitor of Sony PlayStation3, Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360 console quickly took the lead in this market segment, which became an impetus for cable manufacturers with the corresponding output.

Regarding televisions, there is no need to comment here. TV remains the most popular type of product among audio and video equipment. It is found in almost every home, so the demand for the products described is very difficult to overestimate. Every owner of a TV or Xbox 360 sooner or later is faced with the question of which hdmi cable to choose and what criteria to follow.

Cost is everything

When choosing an HDMI cable, the main criterion is cost. Here user opinions differ unevenly. The vast majority of people say that you need to buy the simplest cables. This opinion is based on the fact that the standard digital transmission information is strictly regulated. In other words, HDMI for TV, Xbox 360 and other devices either can transfer data or it cannot. Therefore, the brand and its quality do not matter.

Once upon a time, gamers and xbox 360 fans conducted special research to identify the relationship between the cost of an HDMI cable and image quality. A wide variety of models were purchased, ranging from the cheapest to analogues costing hundreds of dollars. The result of the experiment is that image quality has nothing to do with cost. In this case, the testing did not take into account sound quality at all, but it is unlikely that it would have differed.

Of course, how to choose an HDMI cable is everyone’s business, but according to experts, you shouldn’t choose an outright “cheap” one. Here we're talking about about the durability of the product. Good cables for TV they are thicker, have a higher quality winding, so their cost is slightly higher.

Types of HDMI cable

To understand which cable will be most optimal, the consumer needs to understand the types of products. You need to understand the features, advantages and disadvantages of each model. Only after this can certain conclusions be drawn.

Modern HDMI cables come in the following types:

• standard - guarantees signal transmission with a resolution of 720p;
• standard with Ethernet. This option has similar throughput, but it comes with an additional twisted pair cable for connecting to the network. When using a cable like this for a TV that has the function of connecting to World Wide Web, the latter can connect to the router via Wi-Fi. If the TV does not have a Wi-Fi module, it can be connected to the router via twisted pair cable;
• high-speed - makes it possible to transmit images in 4K resolution (3840×2160) and is characterized by high throughput;
• high-speed with Ethernet - has high throughput and is additionally equipped with a twisted pair cable for connecting devices to the network;
• automotive - designed for use in difficult circumstances (with high temperatures, strong vibrations). It is often used in cars, which is why it got its name.

To answer the question of how to choose an HDMI cable, knowing the main types of these products and knowing the cost is not enough. For the correct final decision, you need to listen to some recommendations.

Thus, you can often hear that a connector with a gold-plated contact displays audio and video data much more clearly. In practice, the role of this gold plating is to protect the contacts from corrosion, which increases resistance and reduces signal level. At the same time, other methods, for example, chrome plating and nickel plating, can provide reliable corrosion resistance.

Generally, digital signal does not make high demands on an HDMI cable for a TV, xbox 360 and other devices, however, “artifacts” can arise as a result of serious violations of production technology: incorrectly selected conductor cross-section, lack of a signal amplifier when transmitting it over a serious distance.

There is a traditional rule: the longer the cable is chosen, the larger the diameter it should have. The cable diameter is designated according to the American wire gauge AWG (a higher value corresponds to a smaller diameter). There is a recommended ratio between this parameter and the length of the HDMI cable. It looks like this:

• 5 m - 28AWG;
• 10 m - 26AWG;
• 15 m - 24AWG;
• 20m - 22AWG.

An important criterion for choosing an HDMI cable is shielding. It provides good protection against internal and external interference. Most the best option The twisted pair principle is considered, where each signal pair (positive and negative wires) is intertwined with ground along the entire length of the wire. Such shielding dramatically reduces interference. To eliminate external interference, shielding made of braid and foil is used.

tehznatok.com

Connecting the TV to the computer via HDMI cable: instructions

A pressing problem for many users today is expanding the image from a personal computer to a home plasma display. “We connect the TV to the computer via HDMI, but there is no image,” - this is exactly how negative sounds come from the mouths of computer equipment owners.

In this article, the reader will become acquainted not only with the method of connecting an additional display to a PC or laptop, but will also learn about correct settings equipment. He will also be interested in recommendations from experts in the field of IT technologies.

About the goals pursued

The larger the diagonal of the LCD screen, the more comfortable it is to view multimedia and the better the image detail in games and software. A film on a TV from a computer will allow you to see the smallest details, and a fan of a dynamic toy will feel the reality of the events taking place on the plasma screen. In fact, there are many advantages of using such a symbiosis, and all of them relate to the comfortable work or leisure of the user.

In recent years, many users have become interested in Internet television. Why pay money to the provider if you can watch your favorite channels for free from the official website of the television company? Therefore, the question is: “How to connect a computer to a TV?” sounds more and more often in the media. But so far things are going badly with ready-made solutions.

Computer hardware capabilities

It’s better to start with the technical capabilities of a personal computer or laptop. The fact is that it is not enough to buy an HDMI cable for your computer. It will be possible to connect to the TV only if there is an appropriate digital video output on the PC. Therefore, the user needs to familiarize himself with all the outputs of the system unit and find the desired port. It can be located on the video card or on the motherboard of the computer and on one of the ends of the mobile laptop.

There are devices that do not have an HDMI connector. It is quite possible to find analog video output VGA (D-Sub) or digital DVI ports with DisplayPort on older PCs. Here everything depends to a large extent on the TV, which should have similar inputs. Having picked up required cable for TV, you will always find the opportunity to display the image from the computer.

TV availability

But modern liquid crystal devices with HDMI ports have no problems - all manufacturers provide their equipment with the popular interface. Often they are not limited to one port at the factory and provide the user with the opportunity to connect several sources to output images via HDMI.

Larger LCD displays have a slightly different problem. We are talking about the resolution of the reproduced image and the frame rate. Before connecting a computer and a TV via HDMI, the user needs to familiarize themselves with the technical characteristics of both devices, compare their video signal transmission capabilities and find a parameter that will be supported by both the plasma and the PC. Often, all equipment manufacturers strive to ensure that equipment supports FullHD resolution (1920x1080) at a frequency of 60 Hz. True, there are exceptions that create problems for users.

Operation of devices of different generations

In situations involving connecting two devices with different interfaces(HDMI, VGA), users are often surprised why the computer does not see the TV via HDMI. The explanation is simple - it is impossible to connect equipment of different generations by combining analog and digital signals with one cable. In such situations, no adapter will solve the problem - you need a converter that can decode the signal at the hardware level.

Fortunately, foreign auctions offer ready-made solutions that can solve all users’ problems with video signal transmission between devices of different generations. The cost of one converter is in the range of 20-30 USD. That is, what attracts potential buyer. All the necessary cables for video transmission are always included with the converter, so the algorithm for solving the problem is simple: buy a converter and connect the TV to the computer via HDMI.

When the required interface is not available

Not all computers and TVs have an HDMI port - that's a fact. But you shouldn’t get upset ahead of time, since with obsolete devices the problem can always be solved. The fact is that old equipment is focused on transmitting an analog signal. Let by image quality this technology and lags behind, however, it has an order of magnitude fewer problems with the compatibility of different standards. Combining S-Vidio, VGA or RCA interfaces is much easier than converting analog signal to digital.

The user just needs to buy a cable for the TV and connect both devices. There are also many inconveniences that users will have to face. Firstly, audio cannot be transmitted over an interface cable. Accordingly, you need to buy another cable. Secondly, during operation, the sound card of a computer or laptop will not be able to create an individual audio stream for the TV. Accordingly, you can forget about the convenience of sharing a computer and TV.

The right approach to buying a cable

Problems may also arise for the user when choosing the wrong HDMI cable. The fact is that a digital video signal is not capable of being transmitted over long distances via cable without loss of quality. Therefore, the future owner needs to decide on the length before buying an HDMI cable for a computer to a TV.

The main thing is to always remember that the longer the quality cable, the higher its cost. It is necessary to measure the distance between the PC and the liquid crystal display (of course, not in line of sight, but taking into account the installation) and find a cable of the appropriate length on the market. Yes, it is customary for buyers to purchase wires with a reserve, but it should be small, since often the excess is rarely in demand - more often they just collect dust behind the TV or behind the computer. The main thing here is to find a middle ground in terms of the “cost - cable length” ratio.

Real offers from manufacturers

It is not easy to choose a cable for a TV of the HDMI-HDMI form factor on the market. Any buyer can verify this for himself; just look at the prices and assortment. It is logical to assume that expensive accessories have a high price only because they are made by serious brands. There is truth to this, but as a rule of thumb, the more expensive the HDMI cable, the less likely it is that the video signal will deteriorate over a long distance. In fact, you have to pay for quality. Chinese consumer goods have no place in the domestic market.

IT experts recommend paying attention to the brand name (for example, Prolink, Cablexpert, Viewcon, Belkin), as well as focusing on the quality of the winding and the presence of ferrite filters near the connectors (barrels near the contacts). If an HDMI cable is required, the length of which exceeds 30 meters, then the user cannot do without a signal amplifier. The device is expensive, but copes with the assigned tasks 100%.

Physical connection of two devices

This article is not about potential difference from a school physics course, but the user still needs to know that there is a small amount of voltage on the video ports when the equipment is plugged into the mains. electric charge. Naturally, when connecting two devices, equipment with a large charge will transfer energy through the cable to the port of the connected device. Often the TV turns out to be more powerful, which, when connected, burns the output on the computer’s video card. Therefore, before connecting your computer to the TV via HDMI, you need to turn off the power to one of the devices (unplug the plug from the socket). Naturally, this problem avoids all users who have grounding in their home.

Another problem that the buyer may encounter is the lack of a video signal when connecting the cable or the image transmission with noise. There is no need to touch the settings of your TV or computer - 99% of the time the problem is a low-quality cable. It needs to be replaced. In general, experts recommend checking the HDMI cable directly in the store to avoid connection problems.

TV settings

It will not be difficult for the owner of the liquid crystal display to press the “Source” button on the device’s remote control and select the desired signal source. All ports on the TV panel are registered and numbered, so all that remains is to combine the software part with the hardware part. Don't expect the PC image to appear on the screen right away. The main thing here is to get the display ready to receive a video signal. This will complete the setup of connecting the TV to the computer via HDMI. All that remains is to configure the video output of your PC or laptop.

Many users are owners of home theaters, receivers, TV tuners and other video and audio equipment that are connected to an LCD TV. Naturally, a situation may arise when all HDMI ports are busy. Many users are unlikely to want to physically rearrange the HDMI cable when working with a computer, so another solution is proposed. The video signal from the laptop can be transmitted to a tuner or receiver. In fact, there is no difference, since manufacturers use a single standard for transmitting images via HDMI.

Modern platforms

When it comes to the Windows 10 or MacOS operating systems, there are practically no configuration issues. The user only needs to restart the computer for the device to detect and connect new display. The more modern the technology, the more efficient it is automatic setting– often via HDMI the signal is transmitted from the computer to the TV in FullHD format with a frequency of 60-65 Hz.

But there are exceptions, and they are primarily related to the video device driver. Therefore, there is no need to try to get the TV to work correctly from the remote control. remote control, only this will help fine tuning video cards. The main thing is to always remember that you need to change the parameters not global, but just one port, otherwise, through negligence, you can destroy the signal to the PC monitor, which will be very difficult to restore.

Working with drivers

Making a TV work like a computer monitor via HDMI, although difficult, is quite possible. There are many ways to do this, which the reader will get to know. Owners of the Windows operating system versions 7,8 and 10 need to go to the control panel and select “Screen”.

By going to the “Setting screen parameters” tab, the user will find that the operating system has already detected the connected TV, but is not yet transmitting the image to it. The Multiple Displays option allows you to connect your TV as an additional monitor to your computer. The list contains several options from which the user is asked to make a choice:

1. Duplicate these screens. The contents of the computer desktop will be displayed on the TV screen, and all actions performed by the user will be visible on both displays.
2. Expand these screens. The most interesting setting, which allows you to virtually increase the desktop area (both vertically and horizontally).
3. Show desktop on screen no. Manually assigning a port for video output is not popular among users.

Driver configuration features

It's easy to send a signal to a TV, but adjusting the picture quality and transferring sound from a computer to a TV is not so easy. First, you need to decide on the extension of the desktop - diagonally or vertically. Experts recommend focusing on the physical location of the TV in the room relative to the PC monitor. On the control panel, in the “Screen Resolution” menu, you need to use the mouse to place icon No. 2 relative to icon No. 1 so that it is convenient to move desktop objects between displays.

The second step is to adjust the TV screen resolution. The main thing here is to select a parameter that is supported by the connected display, otherwise a failure will occur and the video output port will be disabled. By clicking the "Advanced Settings" button, the user can select the display refresh rate, however, IT experts do not recommend changing the frequency unless the video card and TV support the 4K (144 Hz) standard. After making all the settings, you need to save the changes and exit the control panel.

Tricks with sound transmission

All users know that an HDMI cable transmits not only high-quality images, but also sound, but there is no corresponding setting in the display resolution settings. With audio transmission, everything is simple - at the hardware level, the sound is sent to an additional screen along with video. That is, the user just needs to move the video player window onto the TV display with the mouse. The sound will be muted in the computer speakers, but the sound will be activated in the TV speakers.

It is worth noting that mobile device or a computer is capable at the hardware level of supporting several video devices connected via HDMI and transmitting to them different image and provide them with sound accompaniment. True, there are exceptions, and they depend on the video adapter and sound card. Low-performance devices sometimes malfunction; they simply do not have enough power to process digital video signals and high-quality audio.

Alternative driver setup

Not only using Windows You can configure the video to be transmitted to the TV screen. Owners of discrete video cards have the opportunity to ensure high-quality transmission using a video adapter driver (Nvidia or Radeon). The setup algorithm is still the same: we connect the TV to the computer via HDMI and set the HDMI signal source from the remote control.

But then the proprietary software of the video card manufacturer is used. Going to the application control panel Nvidia GeForce Experience or AMD Catalyst Control Center, you need to find the “Display” tab. One of the sub-items this menu, is responsible for setting up multiple displays.

Feedback from users

Often, when connecting a TV to a computer or laptop, device owners encounter problems that they try to solve together in the media. Most of the negativity that is found in reviews is associated with low-quality HDMI cables that were purchased at foreign auctions or in stores at a low price. A greedy person pays twice - all users who decide to save money on purchasing an HDMI cable should be aware of this.

After adjusting display settings and saving, did the image on the main monitor disappear? This is the second problem that users often have to face. The reason is quite simple - the parameters of the main monitor have undergone changes. There is only one recommendation here - when connecting a TV to a computer, you need to control your actions. Number 1 in the system is always the main monitor - its settings cannot be changed. You can do whatever you want with the remaining numbers (2,3,4).

Finally

Yes, in order to create convenience for yourself, the user needs a little time and investment. You simply cannot do without this. There are instructions that spell out all the steps, they need to be followed clearly:

• buy an HDMI cable;
• connect the TV to the computer via HDMI;
• configure the video adapter driver;
• enjoy watching.

The algorithm is simple, but there is a lot of work to be done. In fact, there is nothing complicated, the main thing is to follow the recommendations of experts and carry out strictly specified actions. Only after receiving an image from a computer or laptop on the TV screen and making sure that there is sound transmission, can you go into additional settings and make fine adjustments.

Today it is very difficult to find a modern multimedia playback device that does not have an HDMI connector. Recently, this type of connector has become traditional for signal transmission (HD), so the question of how to choose an HDMI cable often faces many people. Many devices are equipped with HDMI outputs: BluRay players, TVs, DVD players, xbox 360, but they are not always included with the device. Therefore, the owner of these devices has to buy them himself.

Popularity of HDMI cables

Despite the huge demand for all devices with an HDMI output, this cable owes its popularity specifically to the xbox 360 game consoles and, of course, televisions. The modern gaming console xbox 360 was developed by a giant in the world of computer technology - Microsoft. The Xbox 360 console is a third-generation console that allows you to play online and download popular media content (demo versions of games, music trailers). Being the main competitor of Sony PlayStation3, Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360 console quickly took the lead in this market segment, which became an impetus for cable manufacturers with the corresponding output.

Regarding televisions, there is no need to comment here. TV remains the most popular type of product among audio and video equipment. It is found in almost every home, so the demand for the products described is very difficult to overestimate. Every owner of a TV or Xbox 360 sooner or later is faced with the question of which hdmi cable to choose and what criteria to follow.

Cost is everything

When choosing an HDMI cable, the main criterion is cost. Here user opinions differ unevenly. The vast majority of people say that you need to buy the simplest cables. This opinion is based on the fact that the standard for digital transmission of information is strictly regulated. In other words, HDMI for TV, Xbox 360 and other devices either can transfer data or it cannot. Therefore, the brand and its quality do not matter.

Once upon a time, gamers and xbox 360 fans conducted special research to identify the relationship between the cost of an HDMI cable and image quality. A wide variety of models were purchased, ranging from the cheapest to analogues costing hundreds of dollars. The result of the experiment is that image quality has nothing to do with cost. In this case, the testing did not take into account sound quality at all, but it is unlikely that it would have differed.

Of course, how to choose an HDMI cable is everyone’s business, but according to experts, you shouldn’t choose an outright “cheap” one. Here we are talking about the durability of the product. Good TV cables are thicker and have higher quality windings, so their cost is slightly higher.

Types of HDMI cable

To understand which cable will be most optimal, the consumer needs to understand the types of products. You need to understand the features, advantages and disadvantages of each model. Only after this can certain conclusions be drawn.

Modern HDMI cables come in the following types:

• standard - guarantees signal transmission with a resolution of 720p;
• standard with Ethernet. This option has similar throughput, but it comes with an additional twisted pair cable for connecting to the network. When using such a cable for a TV that is equipped with the function of connecting to the World Wide Web, the latter can connect to the router via Wi-Fi. If the TV does not have a Wi-Fi module, it can be connected to the router via twisted pair cable;
• high-speed - makes it possible to transmit images in 4K resolution (3840×2160) and is characterized by high throughput;
• high-speed with Ethernet - has high throughput and is additionally equipped with a twisted pair cable for connecting devices to the network;
• automotive - designed for operation in difficult circumstances (at high temperatures, strong vibrations). It is often used in cars, which is why it got its name.

To answer the question of how to choose an HDMI cable, knowing the main types of these products and knowing the cost is not enough. For the correct final decision, you need to listen to some recommendations.

Thus, you can often hear that a connector with a gold-plated contact displays audio and video data much more clearly. In practice, the role of this gold plating is to protect the contacts from corrosion, which increases resistance and reduces signal level. At the same time, other methods, for example, chrome plating and nickel plating, can provide reliable corrosion resistance.

In general, a digital signal does not place high demands on an HDMI cable for a TV, xbox 360 and other devices, however, “artifacts” can arise as a result of serious violations of production technology: incorrectly selected conductor cross-section, lack of a signal amplifier when transmitting it over a serious distance.

There is a traditional rule: the longer the cable is chosen, the larger the diameter it should have. The cable diameter is designated according to the American wire gauge AWG (a higher value corresponds to a smaller diameter). There is a recommended ratio between this parameter and the length of the HDMI cable. It looks like this:

• 5 m - 28AWG;
• 10 m - 26AWG;
• 15 m - 24AWG;
• 20m - 22AWG.

An important criterion for choosing an HDMI cable is shielding. It provides good protection against internal and external interference. The best option is considered to be the twisted pair principle, where each signal pair (positive and negative wires) is intertwined with ground along the entire length of the wire. Such shielding dramatically reduces interference. To eliminate external interference, shielding made of braid and foil is used.

In previous articles we already connected to a laptop via an HDMI cable.

As always, opinions were divided regarding the choice. Some say that simple cheap cables for 400-500 rubles (100-125 UAH) are enough. Others insist that there is a significant difference between cheap and expensive, and if you want high-quality image or especially 3D and excellent sound, it’s worth looking at a cable that’s at least an order of magnitude more expensive. Let's look at the arguments of some and others.

Part of the population that recommends simple HDMI cables are based on the fact that the digital data transmission standard is strictly regulated. That is, the cable either transmits data or not. And if it’s an HDMI cable, it doesn’t matter how or by whom it was made. It either works or it doesn't. There is an interesting point in favor of these arguments.

For those who will not read, I will tell you the essence briefly. Gamers conducted an experiment on the effect of the price of an HDMI cable on image quality. They purchased several cables, from the cheapest ones for $5 to quite expensive ones of about $100. Using these cables, they displayed the same image either on a monitor or on a TV and took a screenshot of it. For verification accuracy, their checksums were calculated. These amounts matched. This means that the screenshots are completely, 100% identical. Therefore, why pay more?

There is one nuance in testing. Only video was tested. Nobody said anything about the sound. In the same article about HDMI cables on 3D News, another study was conducted. We also took a bunch of wires, 2 meters long, from cheap to expensive, and tested them. We didn’t take the mega expensive ones at $700 because it’s stupid to pay for cable as for the TV on which all this will be tested. All cables passed the tests perfectly. There is also one nuance here. Allegedly, on the most expensive HDMI cable the image was slightly better than on others. It is these two nuances that the other half clings to, recommending more expensive cables for purchase.

They justify their choice in favor of more expensive HDMI cables by the fact that manufacturers make the wires thicker, the insulation is more advanced and, accordingly, there is less interference and the picture is of higher quality.

I (probably like most) am not good with microcircuits, signals, and I saw an oscilloscope once in a physics lesson, so when I read one, I am with both hands with them. I’m starting to read others, it also seems to be true.

For myself, I decided that when choosing an expensive HDMI cable, it will be much better in terms of reliability and ease of use. That is, it will be more convenient to connect, disconnect, fold and carry. If this is important to you, then listen to this guy

and choose a good HDMI cable. If you, like me, need to connect it once and forget it, then you can choose rubles for 400-500.

When watching the video above, it is clear that the store needs to increase sales and naturally they will offer more expensive cables since there will be people who are willing to pay that amount for them. But, if you are interested in the question of choosing an HDMI cable (and you are interested in it because you are reading this article) you are clearly not one of these people. Therefore, I propose to buy a normal cable, the shorter the better, for 500-1000 Russian rubles and enjoy the content in the same way as those lucky ones who paid many times more.

There is another way to be convinced by your own experience. Using the consumer rights law, you can buy a cheap cable and an expensive one. Try both on your equipment and keep the one you want.

HDMI cable version

Once we have decided that a cheap cable is enough, we need to pay attention to the version. On this moment common: 1.4, 1.4a, 1.4b and 2.0. There are no 2.0 cables on sale yet, but there are old HDMI cables version 1.3. They're good too, but why buy old when you can add a couple of dollars and get more modern version. If you have a TV or projector that supports 4K UltraHD or 3D resolution, then at least 1.4. You can read the capabilities and characteristics for each standard on Wikipedia.

With the release of HDMI version 1.4, 5 cable standards appeared:

I thought not to give this classification of cables, but after I myself came across a cable marked as above

I decided to write.

If you need a long HDMI cable

In this case, it is advisable to pay attention to the thickness of the cable. Recommendations on the Internet are as follows. The longer the HDMI cable, the thicker it should be

5m - 7mm (28AWG)
10m - 8mm (26AWG)
15m - 9mm (24AWG)
20m - 10mm (22AWG)

AWG is American Wire Gauge. The higher the value, the thinner the cable. That is. The thicker the cable, the more likely it uses thicker wires and/or more sophisticated insulation. As a result, the signal can be transmitted further without loss.

The thicker the better. By at least more reliable).

HDMI cable connectors

At the moment, 4 HDMI cable connectors are common.

Standard or full size - Type A, Type C mini and Type D -micro. The fourth is Type E used in the automotive industry.

Conclusion

When choosing an HDMI cable, we decide on the connectors, what would happen without adapters. Select version 1.4 and higher or High Speed ​​type. We calculate the length more accurately, since the cost of the cable greatly depends on this, and we buy thicker cables for reasonable money.

Due to the rapid development of IT technologies, a large number of people want to be aware of the intricacies of choosing a cable with an HDMI interface. Among such a variety of products on the market, inexperienced users can easily get confused. And so let's look at the nuances of purchasing a cord with the required interface.

In principle, HDMI has long been present in everyday life, although this circumstance still does not add competence to some people. And in order to dispel buyers’ doubts, we note that HDMI has reduced dimensions compared to DVI. Also, unlike the once popular video interface, it is equipped with protection that prevents data copying.

This type of cord is used in the communication of the following devices:

• Connecting a PC, laptop, tablet to a TV, computer monitor, projector.
• Connecting a DVD player to TV.
• Message of game consoles, Blu-ray and other components.

Previously, the maximum length of the cord was limited to only 10 meters - if this distance was exceeded, artifacts or complete signal attenuation were possible. The solution was to use extenders and repeaters to transmit content over tens of meters.

Even now, misinformation is circulating among consumers - some people believe that a 10-meter wire supposedly represents the peak of high-quality information transmission without amplifiers. Now you can broadcast video without using any amplifiers up to 40 meters. Moreover, a cable up to 25 meters quietly transmits a signal without amplification. And on cables 30 and 40 meters long there is a built-in loss compensator. Which not only amplifies the digital signal over such a long distance, but also transmits it with a picture resolution of up to 4096p (4Kx2K).

For devices operating over long distances

Such products have a built-in distortion compensator. Therefore, technology has made it possible to exchange films over such considerable distances without the use of devices that amplify the signal.

Undoubtedly, stores are ready to offer longer cords to interested audiences. Thus, the desires of users can be satisfied by 60-meter HDMI cords produced. However, for such a length it is better to use twisted pair extension cords. Which will help you connect equipment located at a distance from each other from 40 meters to 150 meters without cascading. If you need a distance of more than 150 meters, then using a cascade system of some extenders you can extend the signal up to 300 meters!

The interface discussed in this article was the fruit of the work of several popular market players, including Philips and Sony. The first version of the cable was released in 2002 and to this day the product has not lost its position among the large assortment of computer devices. It is obvious that there is continuous improvement of the HDMI standard, confirmed with the release of a new version.

Having undergone a series of updates, the interface in question was released in 2.0 format. This version replaces 1.4, which will soon be 10 years old, and is designed to improve the quality of transmitted video. Although the previous version of HDMI also works with 4K Ultra HD mode, it lacks the required bandwidth. After all, four times the Full HD 1080p format is not capable of functioning normally at 10.2 GB/s.

Benefit of Specification 2.0

HDMI 1.4 capabilities are designed for a maximum resolution of 3840x2160 (4K) using frequencies such as 24, 25 and 30 hertz. It is also possible to play content with picture sizes of 4096x2160 and a frequency of 24 hertz, which corresponds to a full fourfold increase in the aforementioned Full HD.

However, such characteristics cannot make outdated version 1.4 is a good choice for watching videos with frequently changing frames, such as dynamic toys, action films filled with special effects, or broadcast sports. Today, using 2160p24/2160p30 you can only while away the time watching long-running television series, in particular melodramas.

Increased throughput and more

Naturally, the new generation 2.0 standard supports Ultra HD 4K, but its throughput has already increased to 18 Gb/s.

This technology contains the following innovative solutions:

• Increased number of audio channels to 32 (4 times more than version 1.4).
• The maximum frequency of the audio track is 1536 kHz.
• Parallel transmission of information to 2 devices using 1 display.
• Audio can now be sent across 4 channels to different people.
• Added 21:9 aspect ratio compatibility.
• Image and sound are now synchronized dynamically.
• Add-on for data exchange with remote controls(CEC).
• The color depth is 10 - 12 bits when watching movies in Ultra HD.

HDMI cable types

The many versions inherent in HDMI can confuse the average user. There are currently five types of specifications, the most recent of which was released at the end of 2017. Additional confusion arises from the fact that although the different specifications are interchangeable, the types of connectors are different. When the world saw version 1.3 12 years ago, all specifications of the interface under discussion were divided into 2 categories - standard and high-speed.

However, in addition to these two categories, all HDMI cord models are divided into four types, because they all have different purposes in use. An incorrectly selected type of cable can seriously distort the output picture. Lack of synchronization of video and audio streams is also one of the consequences of using the wrong wire.

Undemanding basic standard

The budget standard category of HDMI cables recognizes images in 720p or 1080i quality. The frequency at which such a cord operates is 75 MHz. You can use the communication of devices that do not have any special requirements for content resolution; These include plasma, LCD panels, and DVD players. The quality of the final image, as well as the sound, is not a priority here. Bandwidth of the basic type HDMI cord does not exceed 4.9 Gbps (and is often within 2.25 Gbps), color quality (depth) is 24 bits, and streaming is a maximum of 165 MP. This is the only type of cable produced that does not support the audio return channel.

ARC, 10.2 Gbit/s and other advantages of High Speed

As for High Speed, it is compatible with popular types of video content encoding. The manufacturer has also implemented ARC support, allowing you to avoid connecting another wire to transmit audio data.

The equipment that is planned to be connected must be able to work with such a reverse audio channel. For user guidance, manufacturers of relevant components indicate the combination of capital letters ARC.

The high speed HDMI cable is suitable for communication with the following devices:

• Player HDD type from Blu-ray.
• Satellite TV receiver.
• LCD panel and plasma.

Cables in this category provide video transmission in 1080p to 4K quality. The throughput in this case is twice as high as that of its predecessor - 10.2 Gbit/s. The color depth has also doubled, and the frequency band has increased to 1080 megapixels.

Two options with Ethernet channel and car cable

A standard cord with an Ethernet channel includes all the parameters of a basic standard cable, and also allows you to transfer content in both directions at a bitrate of 100 Mbps. But such speed can be achieved by implementing Ethernet HDMI in connected equipment.

It is possible to create high-speed communication with the Internet and broadcast data to other devices connected using an HDMI cable. The developers have implemented the operation of this category of cords with a reverse sound transmission channel.

A high-speed cable type with Ethernet support additionally allows you to transport information at a maximum of 100 megabits per second. Finally, there is a cable designed to connect HDMI devices to the on-board computer and other devices built into the car.

HDMI cable connectors

Now it’s worth touching on the types of connectors installed on devices with the technology in question:

• The basic connector, marked with the letter A, is in demand in home use and is capable of connecting TVs, projectors, DVD players.
• Micro HDMI (C) and mini HDMI (D) are designed for communication portable equipment like smartphones, tablet computers or cameras.

Standard HDMI connector 19 pin 13.9 mm by 4.45 mm. The mini connector is used in cameras, cameras, mobile phones and has the technical parameters of a full wire. Size 6.4 mm by 2.8 mm. Micro is used in phones and tablets and is half the size of mini.

Looking through various pages on the Internet, you can come across various guides regarding giving preference to one or another wire with the interface being discussed. Users try to highlight their own patterns of choosing a specific model.

The metal from which the cable was made plays a role in determining its performance characteristics. But still, during the purchase there is no opportunity to fully test the operation of the cord. Therefore, the consumer can only trust the chosen developer and subsequently test the product independently. In fact, such a strategy can to some extent be called trial and error. Fortunately, in this difficult matter there are certain observations that make sense to take into account.

Is gold plating really reliable?

There is a statement that gold plating on the plugs improves the clarity of the transmitted content. But gold is used to avoid corrosion that interferes with the stable transportation of data. However, nickel plating, for example, provides less contact abrasion. Another option is to purchase chrome-plated wires. The applied gold is too soft and is not suitable for permanent cable removal.

It has become popular to coat the plugs with titanium nitride as opposed to gold, thus increasing the strength of the cable. Therefore, titanium nitride will be a better choice if the cord is used in high humidity. However, the catch is that these two protections are not easy to distinguish visually. But on the other hand, the quality of the data obtained will not differ radically.

Sources of signal distortion

As a rule, digital transportation does not place special demands on the wire used. However, due to non-compliance with all the details during production, some distortions may occur.

Another reason for artifacts is broadcasting content over tens of meters without amplifiers. HDMI cables may vary in length, but due to manufacturing features they transmit data equally. It is also worth not forgetting about the cross-section - thanks to its increase to 0.205 mm 2, you can easily send data up to 25 meters.

As a result, it turns out that the cross-sectional area of ​​the cable is directly proportional to the required length. The current article has already given an example of AWG, a conductor sizing unit used in the United States. A larger AWG value means a shorter HDMI cable length.

Length to cross section ratio

For a cable length of 5 meters, a diameter of 7 mm is sufficient, which corresponds to 28 AWG. 10 meter wire for quality signal It is better to buy with a cross-sectional area equal to 8 mm (marked as 26 AWG). The cable should be another millimeter thicker at a length of 15 meters or 24 AWG. When using a 20-meter cord, it would be more rational to give preference to a model with 22 AWG, i.e. with 10 mm in diameter.

Another nuance is that with a large cross-section, good wire insulation is used. Combining these factors allows us to achieve high-quality transportation of digital content. And new HDMI models are compatible with previously released versions. And although the digital format of video broadcasting is not too demanding on the cord of this interface, it is still better to focus on the above cross sections.

Additional interference warning

Shielding technology allows you to protect the wire from interference. Similar to how a twisted pair cable works, the plus and minus of the signal pair are intertwined with the minus along the entire length of the cable. This design reduces interference caused by the signal core. In addition, the foil prevents the influence of external interference.

Another means of improving the stability of content transmission is to use ferrite cylinders or rings. Filtering in this way allows you to prevent the influence of external interference that has a high frequency. In total, it can be argued that the satisfactory transverse area of ​​the cord, combined with decent shielding, makes it quite thick.

A Significant Advantage of HDMI

There are people who have not forgotten about the S-Video standard used with a composite conductor. Although, of course, with the help of the HDMI interface it became possible to achieve a new level of quality. However, users are unlikely to appreciate this when watching the final video. The obvious benefit comes from watching mediocre quality content.

The soundtrack itself is transmitted at a decent level. Support for an 8-channel audio track with a bit depth of 24 bits and a sampling frequency of 192 kHz has been implemented. Fans of technologies such as Dolby TrueHD will appreciate the innovations that HDMI brings.

One such cable replaces 8 in the case of traditional analogue broadcasting. Naturally, most connoisseurs of high-quality sound are willing to part with such a clutter of wires.

Types of HDMI

The question of identifying a specific version of the released cord is of interest to a considerable number of users. However, the first step is to delve deeper into the characteristics of currently manufactured models.

It all started with the fact that the company HDMI Licensing LLC, which released the standard, was formed by the joint work of several popular organizations. Her brainchild was intended to replace the SCART socket, which was fading into history, which, in principle, was achieved.

At the physical level, the cable under discussion includes 19 conductors, which are connected by a single braid. The latter, in turn, contains the provided insulation layers. In the first version, 4.9 Gbps was the minimum HDMI bandwidth. A good level of reproduction of the resulting image is available due to the absence of a compression mechanism.

Change of product names

As already reported above, version 1.0 was released back in 2002, taking its place on the market. But soon the developers worked annually to modernize the cable family. The result of their efforts has already been 13 released versions of the cords. The latest version 2.1 was introduced at the beginning of 2017.

Naturally, manufacturers sought to increase the performance of HDMI cables and improve other performance parameters. Attention was also paid to increasing functionality.

It’s not surprising to get confused with such a range of products on the market. And the company agreed to no longer use numbers when grading products. In 2009, the world saw a version with integrated support for 4K×2K and Fast Ethernet connection technology (1.4). Since then, there have been five types of standards, including two basic, two high-speed and one automotive.

HDMI standard

Models of this type can be easily used in the vast majority of devices present in our everyday life.

The HDMI standard has the following characteristics:

• The maximum resolution of transmitted content is usually 720p or 1080i, much less often 1080p.
• The lowest performance is only 4.9 Gbit/s.
• Sampling frequency - 74.25 megahertz.
• 24-bit color depth.

This option cannot provide excellent clarity of display and sound, so it is suitable for broadcasting basic signals with connected undemanding devices. Artifacts will be present here, therefore, for example, this type of cable is unlikely to be suitable for true film buffs.

HDMI with Ethernet standard

These cords contain all the features of the previous standard (including supported 720p/1080i resolution), but there is also a way to send content up to 100 Mbps. This is an Ethernet communication channel suitable for the domestic needs of most consumers.

The operating features of this type of cable are as follows:

• Mandatory support for the Ethernet HDMI jack by all communicating devices (only under this condition does it make sense to count on effective work technology).
• Parallel to the connection to the World Wide Web, the ability to transfer information to other components connected in the manner described above.
• Audio return channel, missing in the basic standard version.

Car version HDMI

The next category of models for the intended purpose has found its application in audio systems of mobile equipment. Largely used by car audio installers. It is characterized by resistance to difficult operating environments, for example, constant vibrations, fluctuations in air temperature or high humidity.

The current version is maximally adapted for use in portable and transportable devices, as evidenced by the following functionality:

• Communication of media systems with a standard on-board computer, which is an integral part of new generation cars.
• Stable signal transmission during operation.
• The presence of a lock that prevents spontaneous interruption of contact between vehicle devices.

High Speed ​​HDMI

This type of conductor opens the way to enjoying the excellent quality of the resulting picture. The variety of connected devices here is impressive - these include plasma, LCD TVs, game consoles, and players, including those working with 3-dimensional image broadcast technology.

Due to the fact that the high-speed HDMI cable transmits 1080p, it can be equated to the progressive 2.0 standard. In addition to 3D, the cable supports the following functionality:

• Using the 4K extension, which has an image size of 4096x2160.
• Working with Deep Color technology.
• The maximum performance here already reaches 10.2 Gbit/s.
• The color performance has also doubled, to 48 bits.
• The frequency range has expanded to 340 MHz.

Best option for 3D movies

This type of cord connects to other HDMI models without any problems. However, for these purposes you need to use a connector belonging to type A. Of course, High Speed ​​stands out among basic models and the metals used in production, and the diameter. In addition, the differences also relate to the shielding principle and the level of dielectric manufacturing.

The bottom line is that the price of the issue here is clearly higher than in the case of standard HDMI. On the other hand, the alternative in the form of an analog format for displaying video content is no cheaper. Therefore, it makes sense to fork out a little for the digital option of broadcasting data. Otherwise, you will then have to watch films without a three-dimensional format.

High Speed ​​HDMI and Ethernet

This type of cable has all the advantages of its predecessor. However, the developers have also introduced support for Ethernet, which allows you to transfer up to 100 megabits per second. But it is obvious that the capabilities provided by the manufacturer are fully revealed only if all connected gadgets are compatible with Ethernet HDMI technology.

Nowadays, this type of connection between various devices can be called the best solution to the issue of high-quality content transmission. The inherent versatility of such a standard guarantees its relevance in the long term.

Wide functionality also contributes to the demand for the designated cable with an additional channel.

Connecting to old TVs

Some consumers still use old-generation television equipment. The operation of such devices occurs satisfactorily, but it may be necessary to “make friends” with other devices. Owners of devices from previous years of production are already ready to use special adapters.

In this case, it seems to some people that the most simple solution will go out and buy a newer TV. But a serious obstacle here is the price of the issue - not everyone is ready for such expenses. And it is unlikely that the gradual reduction in price of LCD panels will change the situation. For this category of users there is an economical solution that does not require major changes in the interior and, as a result, in the personal budget.

Converting the signal to analogue form

We are talking about buying a converter that can connect an “antique” TV and a laptop, PC, set-top box and other devices. Its name is HDMI to RCA, but it must be a converter, since you can often find adapters with the same designation.

But only converters are capable of actively transforming digital data encoding into an analog format - adapters cannot do this function. This technique is also described as HDMI “tulip” and works with resolutions of 480p - 1080i inclusive. The output jack of the device accepts 480i (NTSC standard) and 756i (PAL standard). The color system can be selected, and power is supplied via the USB cord included with the converter.

Phone-TV

Establishing a connection between a mobile phone and a TV can also be implemented if such a need arises. Some people are confident that to successfully resolve this issue, you need to acquire a micro-USB-HDMI cable. On one side it has a micro-USB output, and the other end must be connected to the HDMI socket.

However, everything here is somewhat more complicated than it first seems, and for the smooth operation of the tandem described above, two-way compatibility with MHL is required. This obliges television equipment to have an HDMI/MHL port in its arsenal. However, this functionality is not available everywhere. But if everything is good in this regard, then the matter is limited only to the purchase of the specified adapter.

Some differences between the cords sold

Another point that is worth paying attention to when choosing the appropriate wire. Manufacturers produce models with different numbers of contacts. Samsung has 11 contacts, but other manufacturers supply the adapter with only 5 contacts.

If we do not forget about this fact, then all cables have the same layout - two micro-USB and HDMI connectors at their ends. Otherwise, no adjustments are needed in the operation of the devices. All that remains is to select a specific mode in the settings of the device from which the signal is transmitted.

But if suddenly the TV does not “know” what MHL is, then a USB to HDMI adapter will come to the rescue, although in fact it is the same adapter. Its task is to transform MHL into a TV-readable format. The charger from any kit can act as a power source for such an adapter.

Conclusion and other HDMI functionality

In addition to the parameters described above, the popular interface has several more advantages in its arsenal. Thus, there is backward compatibility with devices using outdated DVI technology.

In addition, data transmission is organized over distances of up to several hundred meters via a fiber-optic cord. But there is a possibility of cable failure here, since it is already considered an active device. In the event of such force majeure, the wires will need to be replaced.

The latest version of HDMI 2.1 transmits up to 48 Gbit in one second, the maximum resolution is 10K, and the display refresh rate reaches 120Hz. It is possible that the capabilities covered may be increased in future versions of the interface.

In specialized publications for true lovers high sound and crystal-clear images, a consensus of expert opinions has long been formed and is steadily maintained, according to which the price of connecting wires should be approximately 10% of the total cost of a decent audio-video complex. These figures appeared back in the days of analog High-End equipment for audiophiles, but the transition to digital technology little has changed. In other words, even today on the market you can easily find digital cables at prices not only hundreds, but even thousands of dollars apiece.

But think about it, have you ever met people who are absolutely seriously convinced that the picture quality in a video clip downloaded from a site like YouTube can be significantly improved by connecting the computer to the Internet via a more expensive and high-quality Ethernet cable?

This kit is for home theater costs about 20,000 rubles. Following the logic of connoisseurs of beauty, an HDMI cable for it must be selected for no less than 2000. And if you are not greedy and charge for 4000, the picture takes on a special velvety quality and copper-nickel harmonics sound exquisitely cocky

The question can be perceived as rhetorical, because it is unlikely that a person who has at least an approximate understanding of the principles of digital recording and data transmission will come up with such a strange idea. After all, according to this kind of idea, it turns out that the same file, consisting of absolutely the same zeros and ones, will be reproduced by the computer differently - depending on whether these bits entered it through an expensive cord or through a cheap one.

No matter how wild such conclusions may sound, in a specific community of people under the conventional name “audiophiles” there are a sufficient number of enthusiasts who occupy exactly this position. Thus, the famous company Denon was probably one of the first to notice such an unusual view of true connoisseurs of beauty on digital technologies. And she grasped the essence of what was happening very clearly: if there are enough people in the world who are simply bursting with the desire to spend as much money as possible on technology, then why not help them with this?

And now a completely unique product appeared on the market - digital cable The Denon AK-DL1, 1.5 meters long and priced - depending on where you buy it - from $500 to $1,000 or more apiece, is "an ultra-premium cable designed specifically for audiophile enthusiasts." Functionally no different from a standard Ethernet cable, but “constructed from the highest purity copper wire and high-quality connectors, the AK-DL1 cable brings every nuance of digital playback from any of Denon's DVD players with Denon Link digital interconnect capability to the corresponding Denon receiver with Denon Link connector" ( This was, it must be clarified, in the mid-2000s, even before the advent of the universal digital interfaceHDMIfor high-definition and bitrate media transmission, when every reputable company came up with its own digital interconnect technology in its flagship components. Denon called it Denon Link - approx. author).

When you imagine that we are talking about an ordinary, in fact, power cord, the description of the Denon AK-DL1 super-duper cable (which is still sold on the Internet, and costs about $1000 on Amazon.com) reads as something surreal: “To prevent losses data caused by electromagnetic noise and interference, these cables use high-level tin alloy shielding not typically available in commercial cabling systems. In addition, for optimal signal transmission, the cable is equipped with marks on the direction of signal movement. This cable has been designed with the utmost attention to detail, using high quality insulation combined with woven braid to reduce vibration and add durability to the product. The rounded shape of the connector prevents it from breaking."...

Now, as we know, the era of HDMI dominance has arrived in the field of interconnections for household appliances. For outsiders and people with technical knowledge, this may seem very strange, but on the forums of audiophiles, film buffs and, for some time now, gamers, who have also joined the world of high-quality video and sound, there are still very heated, sometimes even fierce, debates around the hypothetical superiority expensive HDMI cables.

When you look at these debates from the outside, you get the strong impression that in the world of true connoisseurs of beauty, the idea of ​​a fundamental difference between digital and analog information transmission causes some kind of internal protest and general discomfort. They still believe that only a very expensive cable can provide maximum picture quality. And the essentially “binary” approach to the delivery of digital information—the data is either received intact or not—is perceived by such people with skepticism and great distrust. Well, in their opinion, a cheap HDMI cable for a couple of hundred rubles cannot produce the same crystal-clear picture on a home theater screen as a solid cable costing, say, fifteen to twenty thousand Russian money.

Among the many advantages digital processing information specifically in this context, of particular interest are the possibilities of formal, mathematically absolutely rigorous comparison of images provided by different cables.

In January of this year, one of these tests was carried out by English gaming enthusiasts who regularly participate in the life of the E uro Gamer.net website.

Having fundamentally and completely abandoned the known methods of testing hypotheses based on the subjective perceptions of people from a group of volunteer subjects, here the researchers chose a purely technical path of analysis. For testing, we took four HDMI cables 2 meters long, ranging in price from one and a half to a hundred pounds sterling (remember, 1 pound is about 46 rubles). Since the research was carried out on the basis of game consoles, the range of these price limits included standard cables from the Xbox 360 Elite game consoles (about 30 pounds) and from the Sony PlayStation 3 (about 18 pounds).

What technical answer has been invented as an alternative to the unreliable human perception? The researchers decided that the most effective way to compare was to capture exactly the same video signal on different cables, and then compare the captured output files using a standard verification procedure, a checksum such as an MD5 hash function. It is clear that if the values ​​of the checksums are the same, it means that the corresponding sets of data - in other words, the pictures of the image - are completely identical, regardless of the cable used.

As a practical solution to the generally non-trivial problem of surgically accurate video capture in a broadband data stream, it was decided to take a full, lossless compression 24-bit screenshot of some advanced game with the highest available resolution of 1080p. Gran Turismo 5 was a fairly obvious choice, a TrueHD capture card was used to capture the screenshot, and the checksum hash value was calculated using the publicly available program HashCalc.

The test results were compiled by the researchers into a single table, which, in their words, “demonstrates the total victory of common sense and reasonable economy.” That is, the output pictures for all cables turned out to be completely identical - bit for bit - regardless of how much was spent on the connecting cord - a hundred pounds or just £1.5. Any working HDMI cable, as determined by rigorous mathematical methods, will guarantee you a flawless picture - as great as the screen you have can handle.

Like any experiment implemented in practice, this test cannot be called flawless in all respects. The main disadvantage here, of course, is that the researchers analyzed not a moving, but a static HD picture. This was due to the fact that, given the existing technical capabilities and features of image rendering in game consoles, it is not possible to select several times absolutely identical fragments of a dynamic video stream.

However, as the researchers emphasize, even under these test conditions, the image viewer available in the console, XMB Photo Viewer, produced an image with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, updating it 60 times per second, while simultaneously playing an uncompressed audio stream. That is, we are talking about effectively the maximum output that is implied for the game when using HDMI cables.

If the results of this “formal-mathematical” testing of a static picture still do not convince anyone, then there is another, very recent example of tests of a different kind. In the May issue of one of the most famous computer magazines, PC Magazine, employees of the editorial testing laboratory published the results of their own comparative analyzes for HDMI cables from significantly different price categories.

PCMag's lab tested five cables of different brands, but of the same length, costing from $3 to $120 each. As in the tests of gamers, here they also did not expand the range to very expensive cords costing about $700 (like the AudioQuest brand known among connoisseurs), but based on other considerations. If in the previous case, the testers, according to them, simply did not have the extra funds for such wasteful expenses, then PCMag decided not to do this due to the stupidity of the idea itself - well, a cable cannot cost as much as a completely decent HD TV.

The current generation of the HDMI standard requires that all cables meeting version 1.4 specifications be capable of delivering 10.2 gigabits per second of bandwidth. The reality of the current market is that when choosing cables for testing, testers simply could not find ones offhand that did not support HDMI 1.4. In other words, if a cable is compatible with the HDMI 1.4 standard, it means that it passes through all the signal necessary for full and high-quality playback of video and audio content.

All cables tested had the same two-meter length and connected Sony TV Bravia KDL-46EX720 3D HDTV with LG BD670 Blu-ray player. The player output only produced a video signal with a maximum resolution of 1080p. And to check the signal quality, three different types tests: technical evaluation of picture quality, double-blind picture test according to human perception and 3D support test.

For technical quality assessment, a special Blu-ray disc with a set of test utilities HQV video benchmark was used. For each of the cables, a set of video tests was run to check the quality of the video signal through various manipulations with the image, frame synchronization and color separation capabilities. These types of tests include numerous static and animated pictures that allow you to effectively identify possible problems with the image on the display. All five cables passed the HQV test suite brilliantly (with the exception of one minor test, which did not pass well with each of the cords, which most likely indicated a problem with the functionality of a particular player).

The so-called “double-blind” video test included the participation of five volunteers who volunteered to give their subjective assessments of the picture quality (the term “double-blind” here means that during each specific test, neither the subjects nor the testers know in advance what kind of cable is being tested ). All of them were shown the same scene from "Predators" 5 times, played with Blu-ray disc. None of the test viewers could detect any noticeable difference between the $3 cord and the $120 cable. Not to mention other intermediate cables from this wide price range.

Finally, for 3D tests, a disc with the film “Avatar” was loaded into the player in order to use its example to test the ability of the cables to fully work with the HDMI 1.4 standard and main feature the latter is the transfer of a “volumetric” image. Again, absolutely all the tested cables, including the cheapest one, easily and without defects transmitted everything between the player and the display, even the most complex and intense scenes.

How painful it is to admit that a mongrel cable with special Chinese gold plating without a grain of gold provides the same result as an analogue that costs a hundred times more!

In short, the absolutely clear result of these tests is as follows: for the vast majority of configurations consumer electronics, capable of playing high-definition video, there is absolutely no difference whether the components are connected using a $3 noname HDMI cable purchased on eBay or a $120 cable purchased at a luxury electronics store. Because all the most stringent tests failed to reveal absolutely no difference in the image quality produced by the cheapest and most expensive cables...

This material would, of course, be incomplete if it did not contain several important comments about the features of HDMI technology. It is no coincidence that the conclusions of the researchers who conducted the tests include the caveat that the results of their testing are valid for the “vast majority of configurations” - which means the length of the connecting cables is about 2-3 meters or less. Because the most important feature of a twisted-pair HDMI cable is that it is simply not designed to transmit a broadband signal over significant distances (according to the specifications, no more than 10 meters without repeater amplifiers).

To make the “generic defects” of the HDMI cable, which is a direct descendant of the DVI interface, clearer, it is enough to point out that the signals here are transmitted significantly differently than, say, in high-speed local networks, where twisted pair cable is also widely used, but the distances reliable transmission there is much more signal.

Network protocols are always two-way communication with error correction. That is, any packet that does not reach the recipient on a computer network can be resent. And the video signal in an HDMI cable (as in DVI) is a unidirectional stream that flows continuously, without any pauses to check and correct transmission errors. The stream simply flows to the recipient, and flows very quickly, regardless of what comes out at the end.

The HDMI cable looks quite intimidating in cross-section, but do not forget that, in addition to the video signal, audio also passes through it, plus it has now become fashionable to pass it through HDMI Ethernet (up to 100 Mbit/s in version 1.4). However, wire remains wire, and even a very “stuffed” cable simply cannot cost more than a few hundred rubles

In addition, in the cable HDMI signals They are not sequential, but parallel. Three color signals travel along three pairs of wires, and the fourth pair carries a clock signal. For high-quality image transmission, these signals must in no case fall out of synchronization with each other and with the clock frequency. For short transmission lengths this is relatively easy to achieve, but as the cable length increases and at very high signal frequencies, ensuring such synchronization becomes extremely difficult.

In other words, inevitable interference and failures appear here too. However, an important circumstance that needs to be noted is that interference in digital and analog cables are things that are significantly different in their external result. A damaged digital signal can be easily identified at first glance even by the most inexperienced viewer - by the appearance of characteristic artifacts on the screen (colored stripes, squares) or simply by the scattering of the picture. It can be said that this is not at all about better picture or worse, but the cable works as it should, or it doesn’t.

By the way, even the Bible speaks about such a binary approach: “But let your word be: yes, yes; no no; and anything beyond this is from the evil one” (Matt. 5:37). One inevitably wonders from what root audiophile passions grow...