HDMI Cables

If you’ve shopped for a Curved UHDTV, HDTV, HD Projector, PlayStation 4, or a Blu-Ray Pla­yer, you have probably heard about HDMI cables. It can seem like just one of many connections on televisions or home theater receivers. However, HDMI technology is more than a port on the back of a TV (and the often expensive HDMI cable that fits inside). It’s a set of rules for allowing high-definition electronic devices to communicate and a definitive need when it comes to a home theater installation, tv installation, high definition projector with a projection screen installed in your conference room or even something as simple as in wall wiring for an existing installation.

HDMI Cables are a compact audio-video interface for transferring uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from a HDMI-compliant source device to a compatible HDTV, computer monitor, video projector or digital audio device. HDTVs can display more colors than older sets. This means that HDTVs need more data and need it a lot faster than standard-definition TVs do. If an HDTV can receive this information digitally, it also doesn’t have to spend time or processing power converting the signal from an analog format.

This leads us to HDMI technology. Created by a group of electronics manufacturers, the HDMI standard is a set of guidelines for creating high-bandwidth connections between digital devices. With the right setup, HDMI can make a significant difference in a home-theater system. The current standard can carry 1080p high-definition signals and up, and it supports eight channels of uncompressed audio, enough for a 9.2 surround sound system. HDMI can cut down on the number of cables required to connect components and it can even reduce the number of remote controls needed to watch a movie.

Types of HDMI Cables:

There are 6 HDMI cable types to choose from, each designed to meet a particular performance standard. Here is an overview of the HDMI cable types, their capabilities, and how to tell them apart. And to help consumers and clarify HDMI cable types further, all HDMI cable products will now be required to be labeled by HDMI cable category. Remember to look for these labels when choosing the HDMI cable that is best for your needs.

HDMI 2.0

Here’s where we are now! The until-now most recent version of the HDMI specification was version 1.4.b It specified a number of things, like 4,096 x 2,160 pixel resolution up to 24 frames per second, or 3,820 x 2,160 up to 30fps. If you’ve bought any gear with an HDMI connector in the past few years, it is probably version 1.4.b. It carried over all the features and support from previous versions, plus added 3D , Audio Return Channel, and so on.

With the TV industry moving inexorably toward Ultra HD “4K,” and Curved UHDTV it was clear there needed to be more bandwidth in the connection to handle the future’s higher resolutions and frame rates. On that front, HDMI 2.0 delivers, supporting “4K” 2160p x up to 60 frames per second (fps). This allows for full-resolution 4K 3D, along with higher frame rate 2D content, like potentially home videos and computer games. Since almost all movies are shot at 24 fps, this increase is less important for feature films or scripted TV shows.

It is all about the bandwidth!

The most important thing to understand about HDMI 2.0 is the increase of the size of the the data transfered from the source to a display. This makes possible the increased frame rates at high resolutions. It also allows even more interesting lower-resolution images and supports dual video streams.

HDMI 2.0 delivers many new features to take your audio/video entertainment to the next level. Below are just a few of the features we think you will care about:

4K@50/60, (2160p), which is four times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution
Up to 32 audio channels for a multi-dimensional immersive audio experience
Up to 1536kHz audio sample frequency for the highest audio fidelity
Simultaneous delivery of dual video streams to multiple users on the same screen
Simultaneous delivery of multi-stream audio to multiple users (up to four)
Support for the wide angle theatrical 21:9 video aspect ratio
Dynamic synchronization of video and audio streams
CEC extensions provide expanded command and control of consumer electronics devices through a single control point

Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet

This cable type offers the same baseline performance as the Standard HDMI Cable shown above (720p or 1080i video resolution), plus an additional, dedicated data channel, known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel, for device networking. HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality is only available if both linked devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.

Standard Automotive HDMI Cable

Supports up to 720p/1080i (does not support HDMI Ethernet Channel). Since an automotive system may be wired with one or more internal relays that can affect signal strength, the Standard Automotive HDMI Cable needs to send a stronger signal than other cables types, so it is tested to higher performance standards.

High Speed HDMI Cable

The High Speed HDMI cable is designed and tested to handle video resolutions of 1080p and beyond, including advanced display technologies such as 4K, 3D, and Deep Color. If you are using any of these technologies, or if you are connecting your 1080p display to a 1080p content source, such as a Blu-ray Disc player, this is the recommended cable.

High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet

This cable type offers the same baseline performance as the High Speed HDMI Cable shown above (1080p video resolution and beyond), plus an additional, dedicated data channel, known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel, for device networking. HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality is only available if both linked devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.

Standard HDMI Cable

The Standard HDMI cable is designed to handle most home applications, and is tested to reliably transmit 1080i or 720p video – the HD resolutions that are commonly associated with cable and satellite television, digital broadcast HD, and upscaling DVD players.

All our AV techs at Multimedia Tech in Houston are very proficient when it comes to this technology and installation, let us provide the professional advice and services for your special high end requirements.