31 Dec 09 Technical Tips for Getting the Best HDMI Cable

You may become somewhat turned around as you begin looking at the HDMI cables as there are a lot of variances. They come in varying lengths, constructions and quality which all affect the price you will pay. There are also some metrics that have to be considered before buying the HDMI cable.

As you begin your research the first thing is which version to purchase as there are versions which match with certain versions. These are listed like 1.0 or 1.3, you wan to buy the most recent highest rated cable as they will accommodate all the latest technology. They are reverse compatible which means it will still be helpful with older technologies. But if you get the newest, with the clock rate, resolution limitations and bandwidth already established then you will have a cable capable of handling any new components you may buy in the future.

The cable length is also important. You want to choose the shortest cable that will accomplish the task at hand. Longer cables tend to allow for the signal quality to degrade. This is undesirable. However, if you need a cable of a certain length in order to make your connection, you don't have much choice. The shorter cables will give superior quality.

There are also standard and high-speed HDMI cables. Category 1 is considered a standard cable. Category 2 is considered a high-speed HDMI cable. Category 2 is the superior format and can handle 1080p quality. The quality of the cable itself is also very important. While you might not need the most expensive one on the market, better quality cables will be more resilient and last longer. When you have a serious problem to troubleshoot, you want to be able to rule out your cable. It is silly to have your electronics serviced because you have a failing cable. Good quality cables will protect you from wasting money in this way.

HDMI equipment should be certified by the HDMI Compliance Test Specification. This is something you should carefully consider. There are products out there which have not passed this certification. Some will have misleading branding that will give the opposite impression. Take caution to purchase certified cables to guarantee maximum compatibility and quality. The latest cable versions will allow for compatibility with the best technology. Spending a little extra money on a cable could save some expenses down the road. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This is also true when you are chaining together electronics to pass a digital signal.