Cable classification


There are clear technical requirements that an HDMI cable must meet, everything else is from the evil one. Therefore, if the goal is not to overpay too much, it would be best to study the specifications of your TV or monitor, then see what the signal transmission source (game console, receiver) can offer and dance from this data. Moreover, all HDMI cables have a clear classification, which is easy to understand.

  • HDMI Standard (HDMI version 1.3) ― Transfer rate up to 2.25Gbps, maximum Full HD resolution at 60Hz.
  • HDMI High Speed (HDMI version 1.4) — transfer rate from 8.16 Gbps, maximum resolution of 4K at 30 Hz, support for 3D content in FullHD.
  • HDMI Premium High Speed (HDMI Version 2.0) — 18Gbps transfer rate, maximum resolution 4K @ 60Hz, support for HDR content.
  • HDMI Ultra High Speed (HDMI version 2.1) — 48Gbps transfer rate, maximum resolution 8K @ 60Hz.

Although HDMI 2.1 is the newest standard, there are plenty of 1.4 devices on the market. Usually, its capabilities are enough to display high-quality content, it simply will not support high dynamic range video (HDR and Dolby Vision) or high refresh rates.

Sometimes manufacturers "forget" to indicate the version of the cable, replacing it with a bunch of useless information like hertz or maximum resolution.

Will my old HDMI cable work with my new TV or monitor?


Will do. All new HDMI standards are backwards compatible with earlier versions, so a Premium High Speed HDMI 2.0 cable will work with a regular PlayStation 4 in its version 1.4 format. Another question is that if you want to unlock the capabilities of a new TV, the old cable may not be suitable. It was designed for the standard of yesteryear and the corresponding bandwidth, so its bandwidth will not be enough to transmit a complex signal (for example, 4K + 120 Hz). In addition, for some new features like the audio return channel, additional pairs of wires in the cable were used, which were not in the old versions.

What cut is needed?


The plug is an important characteristic that you can determine yourself. According to the specification, the types of HDMI connectors are designated in Latin letters: A, B, C, D, E. The classic connector that is used everywhere is HDMI A. Connectors C and D are denoted by the words mini and micro and are used in mobile and photo equipment. Connector E is equipped with a lock for secure fixation, such connectors are used in industry and automotive technology.

What is the optimal length?


The length of standard cables can be from 0.75 to 10 metres with a bunch of options in between. It is not worth taking a cable that is too long; if bends and fractures appear, the quality of the broadcast will deteriorate or the sound or image will completely disappear. Moreover, for most owners of modern TVs and monitors, a standard one and a half metre cable is enough.

How to choose a quality long cable?


However, there are often cases when you need a really long cable, for example, to transfer an image from a monitor to a projector in a lecture hall, or to display a presentation on a large screen in a conference room. In this case, approach the purchase with triple responsibility, because the length above 10 metres is not regulated by HDMI standards and can bring a lot of unpleasant surprises.

According to the founder of the Swedish company SUPRA Cables, Tom Jenwig, the longer the cable, the more factors that affect signal degradation. All electrical signals contain small packets of energy, and as long as the conductor cannot be cooled in a vacuum, there will be little energy loss along the entire signal path. At some point, the loss of voltage causes the signal to be so blurred that the receiver is unable to distinguish 0 from 1. It cannot overcome the basics of physics.

A useful measure when choosing a long cable is the cross-sectional area of the conductors. The longer the cable, the thicker the conductor diameter must be. Usually, the diameter is indicated in accordance with the American wire gauge AWG — the higher the value, the thinner the conductor. Unfortunately, there is no official formula for calculating the ratio of cable length and thickness, but the following recommendations can be found on the network:

  • Up to 5 metres — 28AWG
  • Up to 10 metres — 26AWG
  • Up to 15 metres — 24AWG
  • Up to 20 metres — 22AWG

To simplify, a good HDMI cable with optimal area conductors and high-quality shielding cannot, in principle, be thin.

Should I buy an expensive cable from an A-brand?


The quality of the cable is extremely important when we talk about analogue technology. The analogue signal at the input and output can be drastically different and wire materials play an important role in this. With a number, everything is different: the stream of zeros and ones either passes in an absolutely complete set, or does not pass at all. Therefore, no matter how hard marketers try to tell you about the coolness of expensive HDMI cables that used silver and gold, practice shows that they are not much different from simple cables for 5-10 bucks apiece.

It is advisable to buy an expensive HDMI cable only in some special cases. For example, if you need a proven cable of non-standard length, 15 or 25 metres. Or if you are planning to build a full-fledged cinema at home. Replacing a low-quality failed cable is an expensive pleasure, it is better to do everything right right away. In all other cases, just a high-quality certified cable with an adequate price tag will be enough.

How not to run into a lousy cable

You don’t need to overpay, but you don’t need to desperately save either. A good cable is assembled from high-quality materials, it does not tear in the hands, the connectors look reliable, the protective coating does not peel off, the cross section of the conductors is true. If all conductors have a normal cross-sectional area, and shielding is generally done well, then a good HDMI cable cannot be as thin as a headphone wire. On specialized forums, there are photographs of Chinese cables, literally assembled from past material. How do you like the idea of making a shielding braid from chocolate foil? With a very penny cable, classic HDMI problems can occur, such as blurring or discoloration of the image, sound loss, reduced resolution, or no picture at all.

Don't trust marketing. Sometimes cable manufacturers write outright nonsense that should impress a gullible buyer. For example, that the cable works best with 240Hz monitors, or that it provides better colour reproduction when Jupiter enters Capricorn. All these are common tricks, not some unique features that automatically raise the cost of the cable. If you are not sure whether the cable supports HDR content transfer or AMD Freesync, go back to the official cable classification, everything is described there.

There is an opinion that gilding is the best option for protection against oxidation. In fact, it has increased resistance and wears out quickly, so many manufacturers use nickel, chromium or titanium nitride coatings, which are mainly used in new versions of cables. It will also not be superfluous if there is a ferrite filter on the cable (a small ring or cylinder closer to the edge of the cable), which is an additional filter against high-frequency external interference.

Also, before buying, carefully inspect the surface of the wire so that there are no creases and bends in which the internal wires could be pinched. Over time, bent conductors suffer physical stress, stretching the copper crystals and thereby changing the impedance of the conductor. As a result, signal transmission problems, visual artifacts and image loss.