In recent years, the HDMI standard has become incredibly widespread: this connector can be seen not only on televisions, but also on computer monitors. Through such a cable, audio and video can be transmitted with equal success.
It should be noted that to unleash the potential of all modern high-resolution video formats, it is the HDMI standard that is needed. Old cables simply cannot transmit such an
amount of information, and the amount of signal distortion when using them is too large. So today we’ll talk about how to choose an HDMI cable. This topic is very relevant today.
Price policy
It is known that for a quality cable of this type will have to lay out very, very much. And this is all the more annoying, the more many companies exaggerate the merits of the product that they put on the market. Moreover, given the demand, which nevertheless does not reach that when selling hot cakes, many manufacturers (and retailers, all the more) are trying to sell even very average (so to speak) cable models at exorbitant prices.
Naturally, words like “gilded contacts”, “higher data transfer rate” and the like constantly flash in the speech of the consultants. So how to choose an HDMI cable?
Introduction to the topic
First, we clarify that differentiated
digital signals are used to transmit information via the HDMI port
. Moreover, this standard is considered copy-protected because all information is encoded according to a rather complex algorithm. In addition, this technology reliably saves from interference.
When using some algorithms, it is even possible to completely restore the signal after it is seriously distorted during transmission.
Malfunctions
If the cable is short, and its technical condition is in perfect order, then the signal passes without distortion and loss. In the case when you use a cable that is too long or its quality is not too high (or all together), the TV cannot correctly interpret the received signal. “Failure” occurs, and stars of different sizes and light spots appear on the screen or monitor.
In the case when the received data is partially enough, the picture will be diluted with “dips” with noise. But this is extremely rare, because most often damaged data will not allow the device to form an image.
The debunking of myths
Why are we all saying this? This is necessary in order to understand one simple thing: all the words about “differences in the image” with different HDMI cables are in the same plane as “warm tube sound”.
The cable cannot have any effect on the quality of the digital (!) Signal! Either the data passes by forming the image pixels, or it does not pass at all. Someone may object, recalling the sparkles during playback. Alas. Such manifestations indicate damage to the cable: when you see "snow" or "sparkles", get ready to remain without an image at all, since the signal may soon simply not go through the defective area. Note that the cost of production does not affect such phenomena in any way: the smallest flaw can be found both in the cable for $ 10 and in the "choice of a music lover" for $ 1,000.
About the reliability of signal transmission
Note that in many respects the quality of the transmission depends on the distance: if we are talking about a couple of meters, you can take any cable. Long varieties (more than four meters) should be produced under the strictest quality control, since the slightest defect will lead to signal loss.
So how to choose an HDMI cable when you really need the longest transmission path? The need for this may arise if you plan to broadcast the video signal from your computer to a TV located somewhere in the bedroom or
summer terrace. To find out the answer to this question, we suggest you read all of the following.
Types of HDMI Cables
There are four main types of HDMI cables: high-speed models of the first and second categories. Where are two more options? It's simple: each cable of the first or second type may or may not support Ethernet. And which HDMI cable is suitable for particularly high resolution?
All models of the first category are theoretically designed for video transmission up to 1080 p. Accordingly, the second type supports a higher resolution. A little trick: most of the high-quality cables of the first category allow you to watch 1080 r without any problems, although they are technologically not designed for this. So if the "cord" for five dollars carries out such a signal, there is no reason to buy something more expensive. Here's how to choose an HDMI cable without overpaying.
A little bit about frequency
Many sellers "catch" potential buyers on the assertion that expensive models are "suitable" for a frequency of 200 Hz. This is a provocation and a lie. Translation from 100 Hz to 200 Hz is carried out exclusively by the receiving device itself, and therefore the cable does not even have a distant relationship to this process. The only exception is watching 3D movies from a Blu-ray disc. And which HDMI cable to choose for 3D? Only one that conforms to the HDMI 1.4 standard.
The real differences between cheap and expensive varieties
Perhaps the only difference between expensive and cheap models is the presence of a thicker and "capital" braid, a better connector. But is it worth it to overpay for that money that sellers ask for them? The stiffer the cable, the easier it pops out of the connector. This is especially true of those cases when the console or TV stand close to the wall.
In addition, the weight of a long cable with heavy insulation can lead to damage and deformation of the port itself over time.
Choosing a cable for the console
All of the above concerned mainly TVs. Are there any nuances in the case of consoles? Which HDMI cable to choose for the Xbox 360? Let's find out. At the same time, we’ll debunk some of the stereotypes that are popular with our sellers.
There is an opinion that is artificially supported and inflated by sales consultants that there is a special HDMI cable. How to connect - there is no difference, but the “gold dusting” and “especially pure metals for manufacturing” are used. As you might have guessed, this is just advertising.
Of course, you should not buy a cable at the collapse for 200-300 rubles, since the quality of its manufacture is a big question. But taking a model for 5000 rubles is also very stupid. Once again, we recall that with a length of up to four meters there is no difference in the manufacturer. Take a check when buying and if the cable does not suit you with something, carry it for a replacement.
findings
Surely we will not be mistaken if we talk about the needs of 99% of users. Most likely, you need a cable 1.5-3 meters long to connect a console, Blu-ray player or monitor. With such a length, even the cheapest model will produce perfect sound and image. Even at large distances, cheap cables often do their job perfectly, no different from their insanely expensive "colleagues."
So when the "young and promising" manager in the store offers you HDMI for three to four thousand rubles, just pass by. Models for 300-400 rubles will show themselves no worse.
Here's how to choose an HDMI cable for your TV. As you may have noticed, it’s not at all necessary to overpay wild sums for branded models, since you will not notice any real improvement in sound and video. The only exception (as we mentioned above) is the selection of cables for watching 3D movies. In this case, a huge amount of information passes through the cord, and the signal is of high frequency. Standard models are not suitable for this.