Which HDMI cable to buy: why you need high bandwidth and good copper. How to choose an hdmi cable to connect your computer to your TV

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Modern world impossible to imagine without high technology. And every year they only improve. One great example of improving the quality of transmitted data is the HDMI cable.

Its use is becoming increasingly widespread today, because the possibilities of this type of connection are very extensive. Next, we will consider the design features of the HDMI cable and the subtleties of its selection. If suddenly you forgot to change the keyboard layout, your question may turn into “rfr ds hfnm hdmi cable", but the essence remains the same.

Purpose and characteristics of the cable

From the abbreviation HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) it is clear that the cable is designed to transmit digital video data to high resolution and multi-channel audio data. It went on sale back in 2002 and to this day has been repeatedly subjected to changes, or rather, additions, which ultimately led to the creation of a highly effective means of connecting a signal source to a receiver even over long distances. The HDMI cable is also equipped with HDCP data copy protection technology, which gives you confidence that your information is protected from intruders.

Characteristics of a modern HDMI cable:

throughput ranges from 4.9 to 15.8 Gbps, which is quite enough for watching high-definition movies and 3D modeling;
difference in cable lengths - at home up to 15 meters, when using amplifiers - up to 35 meters;
support for CEC and AV.link control protocols.

How to choose an HDMI cable for your home? In order to answer this question, you need to decide on its length. If it is necessary to connect the receiver and source at distances of more than 1.5 meters, an intermediate amplifier is provided, which will be built into the cable. But then its cost will be quite high. Alternative option- purchase an external equalizer, which, however, will also require costs. It all depends on the final cost of the components and your financial capabilities.

Cable design

Choosing an HDMI cable always starts with quality, so in order not to make a mistake, you need to have information about its design.

By design, HDMI cables may differ in the presence or absence of ferrite rings. They are installed at both ends to suppress interference. This technology many manufacturers use it on all products whose length is more than 1.5 meters. This is due to the fact that as the length of the connections increases, the characteristic impedance also increases, which also increases with the increase in the frequency of the transmitted data. Plus, the cable is long and runs near other sources electromagnetic radiation will also cause interference therein. The magnetic ability of ferrite ensures effective suppression extraneous signals when transmitting data using an HDMI cable.

A cable up to 1.5 meters long consists of:

external insulation;
aluminum foil screen;
shielding braid made of copper wire, which is then sealed;
intermediate polypropylene shell;
separately shielded twisted pairs fifth category for video signals (sync and 3 primary colors), and all screens have copper wire for soldering;
twisted pair without shield for SDA and SCL signals;
separate lines for power and control;
two connectors.

Based on the above, we can answer the question of how to choose an HDMI cable:

firstly, it is necessary that there are ferrite rings on it;
secondly, its diameter should be quite large, this indicates the presence of all the necessary screens;
thirdly, if the cable is long, the amplifier must either be built into it or installed at the receiver input.

Types of cables

Since 2002, 8 varieties of HDMI cables have been released, starting with version 1.0 and ending with 1.4. Each version was supplemented with new supported standards and functions. Today, 4 types are in greatest demand, which are marked with capital Latin letters A, B, C, D.

The main ones are types A and B. C and D represent an addition and modification of the first type. The changes consist of minimizing the plug and connector, which are called mini and micro, respectively.

To answer the question of how to choose an HDMI cable to connect a monitor, just check the brand of the connector on the monitor itself and on the video card. If the connector types do not match, various adapters and extensions are available for sale.

Application area

The scope of application of HDMI cable is very wide, this is due to the mass production of equipment with appropriate connectors and data transmission standards. HDMI connection technology is widely used both in home systems, for example, to improve the quality of video transmitted to a monitor or large TV, and in cars - for transmitting data from rear and front cameras, as well as for connecting a multimedia system and displays, mounted in the backs of the front seats.

The question of how to choose an HDMI cable can be answered by deciding where it will be used. If it will be used in security systems and the installation will take place on the street, then the cable should be used as thick as possible. Increasing the cross-section of the wire, even with increasing its length, will not change wave resistance, which should be no more than 100 Ohms.

Application in home multimedia systems

How to choose an HDMI cable for 3D viewing? Everything depends on him technical feasibility, which should allow data to be transferred to high frequencies with low interference, and also support 4K UltraHD and 3D technology.

Such cables have a postscript in the name “HIGHT SPEED”. These include devices version 1.4 and higher. After the release of this standard, another variety appeared, which differs additional opportunity connecting to a network, for example, to connect equipment to a router with Wi-Fi. Such cables also have the postscript “ETHERNET”.

Using HDMI cables in automotive data systems

In cars, STANDART AUTOMOTIVE cables are used to transmit images from the multimedia system to additional displays. They are specially designed for use in conditions of sudden temperature changes and high vibrations. They also differ in the type of connector that has additional mechanisms and latches that help securely fix it in the socket.

The choice of HDMI cables for a car is simplified thanks to one standard and unified marking “STANDART AUTOMOTIVE”. Most manufacturers of multimedia systems use this particular standard, but sometimes other types of connectors are also found.

Benefits of HDMI Data Transfer

The undeniable advantages of data transmission via HDMI is the speed, which is achieved through the use of digital encoding of video and audio signals. And this became a huge advantage over composite, component and S-Video. In addition, most modern HDMI cables also support transmission sound signals, which are also presented in digital form.

Choosing a cable type: to summarize

So how to choose the right HDMI cable? To answer this question, you need to do the following:

find out the type of connector and its form factor on your device;
determine the required cable length as accurately as possible, because its cost depends on this;
identify the conditions of its operation: for example, if it is subject to vibrations, then thicker options should be chosen. It's connected with design features cable.

When purchasing new modern equipment, many are increasingly asking the question: how to choose an HDMI cable for a monitor or for a TV? The answer is extremely simple, because quite a lot of devices with such an interface are now being produced. It is of the same standard in monitors and televisions. The most commonly used type is A “HIGHT SPEED”, and the rest are used in mobile devices: laptops, routers, etc. Before purchasing a cable, you must determine the standard of the connector in your device and its length.

For many years on the global market for home cinema and connectivity Ethernet networks used newest type cable called HDMI. All this allows you to avoid transmitting data in completely analog form, as was common in outdated RCA cables. Now it is possible and necessary to transmit information in a completely digitized form and there will be no loss of data, video or sound in principle. But before you choose desired type cables, you should understand them properly.

How to do it right choose

First of all, you should pay attention to the categories. If the TV supports a fairly low resolution (up to 1080 pixels), it is quite possible to choose an HDMI cable of the 1st category, which can transmit data over internal network and Ethernet.

For HD TVs, it is advisable to immediately purchase a category 2 cable that is capable of supporting a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The picture quality will be at its best high level- no pixels will be visible...

Moreover, the thickness may vary. If you pay attention to the American AWG (American Wire Gauge) standard, a 30AWG cable will be very different from a 24 AWG cable. The first type will be much thinner than the last. For example, 30AWG will have a thickness ranging from 6-7.3mm, while 24AWG will have a thickness ranging from 9-10.5mm. Naturally, the thicker the cable, the better the quality of the resulting picture. But not as high as some buyers might think, since, as mentioned above, everything is transferred in a completely digitized form.

If computers are connected to a fiber optic line, then to connect them you should choose a High Speed HDMI cable, which will have 19 conductors, 5 of which are connected in pairs, which allows for much better transmission of audio and video information (TMDS).

Particular attention will have to be paid to the length of the bay. It has already become a kind of standard that their length should not be more than 5 m. If a length of more than 15-20 m is required, then the buyer needs to be prepared in advance for a slight decrease in picture quality, since as the cable length increases, its resistance will increase.

The best companies manufacturing HDMI cables

That’s probably all you need to know when buying a cable, you just need to pay special attention to which HDMI company is better to choose, because now there are an insane number of them on the market and make right choice I will help:

ProLink

Conclusion

Here are the three most popular companies that are represented on our market, ProLink and Belkin are different good quality for the right price. I personally use Belkin 5 meters long, which is enough for most needs, but if you have other needs, you can take a 50 meter cable, but its price will be steep... You can also buy unknown brands, but these cables quickly break down, yes and you won’t recognize their characteristics, because most often they come in a regular package or even without it. Enjoy the shopping!

HDMI is a technology for wired transmission of digital signals, which are subsequently converted into images, video and audio. Today it is the most common transmission option and is used in almost all computer technology, where video information output is provided - from smartphones to personal computers.

The port has 19 pins in all variations. The connector is also divided into several types, based on which you need to buy the required cable or adapter for it. The following types are available:

Port types can be distinguished by appearance or by special marking in the form of one Latin letter(not available on all ports).

Cable length information

For general consumption, HDMI cables up to 10 meters long are sold, but they can also be up to 20 meters, which is quite enough for the average user. Various enterprises, data centers, IT companies can purchase cables of 20, 50, 80 and even more than 100 meters for their needs. For home use, you should not take a cable “with a reserve”; a 5 or 7.5 m option will be quite sufficient.

Cables for home use are made mainly from special copper, which easily conducts the signal to non- long distances. However, the quality of playback depends on the type of copper from which the cable is made and its thickness.

For example, models made of specially treated copper, marked “Standard”, with a thickness of about 24 AWG (this is a cross-sectional area equal to approximately 0.204 mm 2) can transmit a signal over a distance of no more than 10 meters at a resolution of 720x1080 pixels with a screen refresh rate of 75 MHz . A similar cable, but made using the technology " High speed"(you can find the designation High Speed) with a thickness of 28 AWG (area in diameter 0.08 mm 2) is already capable of transmitting a signal in quality 1080 × 2160 pixels with a frequency of 340 MHz.

Pay attention to the screen refresh rate of the cable (it is indicated in technical documentation or written on the packaging). For comfortable viewing of videos and games, the human eye needs about 60-70 MHz. Therefore, you need to chase the numbers and quality of the output signal only in cases where:

Your monitor and video card support 4K resolution and you would like to use their capabilities 100%;
If you are a professional video editor and/or 3D renderer.

The speed and quality of signal transmission depends on the length, so it is best to buy a cable with a short length. If for some reason you need a longer model, then it is better to pay attention to options with the following markings:

HDMI Versions

Thanks to the joint efforts of six large IT companies, HDMI 1.0 was released in 2002. Today, almost all further improvements and advancements this connector is carried out by the American company Silicon Image. In 2013, the most modern version– 2.0, which is not compatible with other versions, so it is better to buy an HDMI cable of this version only if you are sure that the port on your computer/TV/monitor/other equipment also has this version.

The recommended version to buy is 1.4, which was released in 2009, as it is compatible with versions 1.3 and 1.3b, which were released in 2006 and 2007 and are the most common. Version 1.4 has certain modifications - 1.4a, 1.4b, which are also compatible with 1.4 without modifications, 1.3, 1.3b versions.

Cable types version 1.4

Since this is the version recommended for purchase, let’s take a closer look at it. There are five varieties in total: Standard, High Speed, Standard with Ethernet, High Speed with Ethernet and Standard Automotive. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Standard – suitable for connecting undemanding devices for home use. Supports 720p resolution. Has the following characteristics:

Standard with Ethernet - has identical characteristics to the standard analogue, the only difference is that it supports an Internet connection, capable of transmitting data at a speed of no more than 100 Mbit/s in two directions.

High speed or Speed High. It supports Deep Color, 3D and ARC technologies. The latter needs to be considered in more detail. Audio Return Channel – allows you to transmit full audio along with video. Previously, in order to achieve excellent sound quality, for example, on a TV connected to a laptop, it was necessary to use an additional headset. Maximum working resolution is 4096×2160 (4K). The following specifications are available:

5 Gbit/s – maximum throughput threshold;
24 bits – maximum color depth;
165 MP is the maximum allowable frequency band.

There is a high-speed version with Internet support. Internet data transfer speed is also 100 Mbps.
Standard Automotive - used in cars and can only be connected to E-type HDMI. The specifications for this variety are similar to the standard version. The only exception is the increased degree of protection and the built-in ARC system, which is not included in the standard wire.

The performance of the cable is influenced not only by its characteristics, material of manufacture, but also by the build quality, which is not written anywhere and is difficult to determine at first glance. Use these tips to save a little and choose best option. List of recommendations:

There is a common misconception that cables with gold-plated contacts conduct signals better. This is not true, gold plating is applied to protect the contacts from moisture and mechanical influences. Therefore, it is better to choose conductors with nickel, chrome or titanium coating, as they provide better protection and are cheaper (with the exception of titanium coating). If you use the cable at home, there is no point in buying a cable with additional contact protection;
Those who need to transmit a signal over a distance of more than 10 meters are advised to pay attention to the presence of a built-in repeater to amplify the signal, or to buy a special amplifier. Pay attention to the cross-sectional area (measured in AWG) - the smaller its value, the better the signal will be transmitted over long distances;
Try to buy cables with shielding or special protection in the form of cylindrical thickenings. It is designed to support optimal quality transmission (prevents interference) even on very thin cables.

To make the right choice, you need to take into account all the characteristics of the cable and the built-in HDMI port. If the cable and port do not match, you will need to either buy a special adapter or completely replace the cable.

Today we will figure out how to choose an HDMI cable. Nowadays, you can’t live without it.

All modern televisions, panels, monitors, projectors, multimedia content playback devices, game consoles, photo and video, have this interface “on board”.

You will be very surprised when you find out that the difference in the cost of an HDMI cable, for example, only 3 meters long, can reach several thousand rubles! At the same time, you will most likely never see the difference between the most expensive and the cheapest model. Naturally, all kinds of experts, professionals and connoisseurs, will find a lot of differences in color rendition, quality of audio and video signals, etc., and will insist on their own. But for the average person there will be no difference between them.

1. Cheap or expensive?

Fans computer games conducted an experiment on the effect of the price of an HDMI cable on image quality. They purchased several cables, costing from $5 to $100 (note that there are cables that are much more expensive). By connecting game console to the monitor, they displayed the same image and took a screenshot of it. For verification accuracy, we calculated them checksums. These amounts coincided, which proves 100 percent identity of the resulting images! Conclusion: if there is no difference, why pay more?!

There is one nuance in this test: only video was tested, without sound. Meanwhile, it is the ability to transmit both video and audio signals that distinguishes the HDMI standard from DVI.

So, we did another study. Also, having taken several cheap and expensive cables (mega-expensive cables costing $700 were not included in the test, logically assuming that paying for a cable as for a TV is simply stupid), we began to play audio. So there was no difference here either! Although again the same experts, professionals and connoisseurs allegedly saw that the image on the expensive cable was slightly better than on others...

In endless debates, supporters of expensive HDMI cables always talk about these nuances.

How might a more expensive cable actually differ? The manufacturer can make it thicker, the insulation more advanced (most often, just more beautiful and original), which will help avoid interference, and convey the image in pristine quality. But what kind of interference can there be on a 2, 3 meter cable???

So, an expensive German cable in a pretentious box, which costs about 10,000 rubles (just think about this figure!!!), is simply imposed on wealthy clients who want to be better than others in everything, by sellers who, in turn, have a large revenue. So, manufacturers of premium cables and sellers of expensive stores will always defend their case.

2. HDMI cable version

Here lies a secret that, oddly enough, many people (especially managers of large retail chains) do not know. As you know, the HDMI consortium officially numbers versions of its standard. On this moment the most common are HDMI versions 1.4, 1.4a and 1.4b. And a couple of years ago the HDMI 2.0 version was announced. You can read about the differences in versions on Wikipedia.

However, the HDMI consortium itself officially prohibits indicating the HDMI version on equipment and accessories. So, if you see an HDMI version on some packaging, you can safely say that the manufacturer does not know trivial things about the products they produce. Worth thinking...

What kind are there? HDMI types cable?

	Standard HDMI cable Standard HDMI cable designed to fit most applications home use, and tested for reliable transmission video, with a resolution of 1080i or 720p - HD resolutions that are widely used in cable and satellite television, digital HD broadcasts and when using upscale DVD players.
	Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet This type of cable provides the same basic efficiency as the standard HDMI cable described above (720p or 1080i video resolution), plus an additional, dedicated data channel known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel for connecting devices into a network. The HDMI Ethernet Channel function is only available when both connected devices support this function.
	Car HDMI cable Designed for laying cables inside vehicles equipped with on-board HD video systems. Tested to perform reliably under specific conditions and able to withstand the extreme stresses generated by vehicle engine operation, such as vibration and high and low temperatures.
	High Speed HDMI Cable The High Speed HDMI cable is designed and tested to deliver video resolutions of 1080p and higher, including advanced imaging technologies such as 4K, 3D, and Deep Color. If you use any of these technologies, or if you are connecting a 1080p display to a 1080p content source such as a Blu-ray Disc player, then this cable is recommended.
	High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet This type of cable provides the same basic efficiency as the high-speed HDMI cable described above (video resolution 1080p or more), plus an additional, special data channel called the HDMI Ethernet Channel for connecting devices into a network. The HDMI Ethernet Channel function is only available when both connected devices support this function.

Here are examples from the official website of the HDMI consortium of how it should and should not look.

3. How long is the HDMI cable?

The HDMI Consortium website states that the signal is guaranteed high definition can be transmitted over a distance of up to 10 meters without loss. Over 10 meters - no guarantee. However, you can buy HDMI cables for 15, 20, 25 and even 30 meters! They are thicker than their counterparts and use higher quality materials. There are models with a built-in amplifier - HDMI cable with repeater.

The cable thickness is characterized by the AWG value. AWG is an American wire gauge. The higher this value, the thinner the cable. The longer the HDMI cable, the thicker it should be. Recommendations for cable thickness are:

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

The length of the cable greatly affects its cost.

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.

You need to read the documentation for the devices you are connecting, find out exactly what connectors they have and select the appropriate cable. There are cables with different connectors on both sides. Also, for connecting devices with different types connectors, there are all kinds of HDMI adapters and adapters.

5. External differences of HDMI cable

Braid
Most often the outer braid is PVC. Flexible and durable. But more expensive models may have nylon braid.

Additional protection
Some cables may have ferrite rings to eliminate RF interference.

Conductor
Most often made from 99.99% oxygen-free copper. The contacts are gold-plated. This ensures durability and reliability.

Screen
Most often, triple shielding is used.

All of the above properties are now inherent in almost all HDMI cables. If earlier this was some kind of highlight, now it can already be called a mandatory condition.

View
Most often the cable is round, but sometimes, for ease of installation, it is flat.

Color
In addition to all of the above, HD cable is available in a variety of colors. Standard color black, but if you are a fan of Apple products, you can easily find a white HDMI cable. There are cables in other colors - these are completely for aesthetes.

Connectors
This is usually a straight connector, with both ends at right angles. But you can find an HDMI cable with movable connectors, which will greatly simplify installation.

Manufacturer
Unlike analog cables, HDMI transmits digital signal, therefore, they are less critical of the materials used for conductors, connectors and solder. Those. The main thing in HDMI should be workmanship and reliability!

6. Conclusion

So, to choose a good HDMI cable you don’t need to know much:

More expensive does not mean better. However, too low price the product should alert you! It is wiser to choose models in the mid-price category.
Buy High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet.
Do not buy a cable that clearly states the HDMI version - it is a cable that is not manufactured to HDMI Consortium standards.
Pay attention to the type of connectors.
Accurately calculate the length of the cable, as its cost will greatly depend on this. You should not leave an extra 2-3 meters of cable “just in case”, as is usually the case with “twisted pair” or television cable.
When choosing a cable, do not chase flashy labels and beautiful packaging. All these are just marketing ploys aimed at artificially increasing the price of the product.
After purchasing an HDMI cable, be sure to configure your TV correctly - this can significantly affect the quality of the sound and reproduced picture.

Using long HDMI cables is not always advisable. As a rule, it is not specified in the specification maximum length connections via HDMI, however, signal attenuation (depending, among other things, on the conductor material and cable quality) is often a consequence of using a cable that is too long.

Let's first consider the operation of HDMI cables version 1.4 of two categories.

"Standart" - represented by cables tested in operation at a frequency of 74.5 MHz, operating with 720p and 1080p image resolution.
"High Speed" are cables tested at 340 MHz, operating at 1080p and 2160p resolution.

In our catalog you can buy an HDMI-HDMI VCon cable; to transmit a signal over a longer length, you can use a cable that has built-in signal amplifiers.

Different categories of cables are characterized by certain indicators, including attenuation, noise immunity, and differential impedance. Therefore, a 5 m "Standard" cable can be manufactured inexpensively from 28 AWG or 0.081 mm2 conductor. If you use more expensive materials and an improved design, with a 24 AWG or 0.205 mm2 conductor, the cable length for maximum efficient signal transmission can be 12-15 meters. HDMI cable 15 meters.

If the cable length is more than 15 m and there is no sound or image when connecting HDMI, it is worth using additional technologies and devices. The most common of them, when there is no signal when working with HDMI, are signal restorers, equalizers, amplifiers, and fiber optic cables.

The signal restorer synchronizes the signal coming from the device, bringing it to the original HDMI specification. To work, you need to connect the restorer to the end of the HDMI cable (directly next to the display). The device has small size, however, it does restore a 1080p signal (the signal is improved even if the HDMI cable does not support given speed transmission) and can be used with conductors up to 40 m long.

Signal amplifiers (signal extender and signal booster) - in the case when HDMI connection there is no signal or it is not strong enough, the devices allow you to increase its power, which makes it possible to transmit information via an HDMI cable up to 30 m long. Often amplifiers are built into long cables by the manufacturer. HDMI cable 30 meters.

For high-quality signal transmission over a distance of several tens of meters, equalizers can also be used. The device not only amplifies the incoming signal, but also eliminates unwanted interference while maintaining bright colors and without distorting dynamic characteristics HD technologies. If there is a need to transfer HDMI signal over very long distances (100-500 m), it is advisable to use fiber optic cable.

It can be concluded that HDMI technology- it's either all or nothing. When enough strong signal guaranteed to receive high high-quality image, but if there is no signal or it is very weak when connecting HDMI, the image will either not be there at all or will have noticeable distortion. To solve the problem of insufficient image quality, the methods listed above or replacing a cable with inappropriate length and characteristics can be used. You can purchase all types of HDMI cables from our company, which represents products from trusted manufacturers.