Feb 07,24

HDMI Buying Guide: What to Look for When Buying an HDMI Cable?

In olden times, when connecting a VCR to the television set, we would look out for red, yellow, and white RCA cables. These cables were our lifeline because watching monotonous television was not so happening. With VCR, we ably watched movies of our choice. During those times, we never really cared about resolution or technology. Watching eye-pleasing and the entertaining picture was a priority.

As the times changed, a resolution that soothes the eyes became imperative. Technology evolved, and so did the RCA cables, successfully replaced by a single cord – HDMI cable. According to a study conducted by Technavio, the global HDMI cable market is expected to witness growth by $800.10 million during 2019-2024. And the driving force behind this growth is the upsurge demand for 4K television sets.

Therefore, with this blog, let’s explore detailed information on various aspects of HDMI cable connectors, versions, which HDMI cable is best, and what to look for when buying an HDMI cable! All in all, this HDMI cable guide will help you make the best choice.

HDMI cable is a pleasant audio-visual treat

HDMI is High-Definition Multimedia Interface and founded by bigwigs Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, RCA, and Toshiba. Through a single cable, it transfers high-definition (HD) audio as well as video signals. The HDMI cable cord transmits signals digitally in an uncompressed format, which results in superior picture and sound quality. It ably carries a CEC signal and adds up to 8 channels of audio signals. With this, there is an assurance of top-notch audio-video quality without any lags.

Today, almost all electronic devices including, TVs, laptops, computers, have an HDMI port. Especially, an HDMI cable for TV is a boon for movie fanatics and gaming enthusiasts.

Apart from this, there is also HDMI ARC supported by several TVs and soundbars. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel that helps you stream both audio and video from a single cable. It has an advanced version called Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), offering advanced quality, speed, and bandwidth.

With this, there have been advancements in HDMI technology. The latest HDMI versions support 4K UHD video resolution. They also stream cutting-edge surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos while supporting 8K videos. Both 4K and 8K are the talks of the town as they are the highest resolution for streaming audio and visual content.

What are the various HDMI versions?

Advancements are part and parcel of technology. Like audio, video formats have progressed, so has the HDMI versions. These versions have been helpful to comply with the ever-evolving technology. The only thing that has remained constant is the HDMI cable connector consisting of 19 pins. Despite advancements, all these versions are backward compatible.

Specification

Resolution

Bandwidth

Features

HDMI 1.0

1920 × 1080 and 1920 × 1200 @60 Hz

4.95 Gbps

– High-definition video

– 8 audio channels

– Replay of Blu-ray disc video and audio at full resolution

HDMI 1.1 / 1.2

1920×1200@60 Hz

4.95 Gbps

– DVD audio

– SACD audio formats

– Supports low voltage sources like PCI

HDMI 1.3

1920 × 1080@120 Hz and 2560 × 1440@60 Hz

10.2 Gbps

– Better resolution

– Various surround sound modes like DTS

– Addition of lip sync

HDMI 1.4

4K x 2K resolution (3840 x 2160) @24Hz, 25Hz, and 30Hz &

4096 x 2160@24Hz

10.2 Gbps

– Addition of HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) to enable Internet sharing

– 3D over HDMI

– Enabling TV to optimize picture settings as per the content

– Addition of Audio Return Channel

– New Micro HDMI Connector

– Expansion of color spaces including Adobe RGB

HDMI 2.0

4K@60 Hz

18.0 Gbps

– Support for 32 audio channels

– Simultaneous streaming of two videos to multiple users on the same screen

– Support for the Rec. 2020 color space

– Support for the 21:9 aspect ratio

HDMI 2.1

4K@120 Hz and 8K@120 Hz

48.0 Gbps

– Ultra High-Speed cable

– Maximum support is 10K@120Hz

– Enhanced Audio Return Channel

– Backward compatible with older HDMI versions

 

Along with versions, there are various types of HDMI cables too.

  • Standard cables deliver high definition with resolution support of up to 720p/1080i. These cables are preferable when using DVDs and TVs with lower resolutions.
  • High-Speed cables offer users, to make the most of HDTV by supporting 1080p resolution.
  • Standard with Ethernet cables are like standard HDMI cables. They have one additional feature of connecting to the Internet via Ethernet With this, one can stream online videos.
  • High Speed with Ethernet is a perfect blend of speed and internet competence. If the standard cables support internet connectivity, then High-speed HDMI cables allow the streaming of high-definition content from online resources.

Now we know that why an HDMI cable is used for! We have also explored the versions of HDMI and cables. Let’s move forward with the buying guide for HDMI cable.

What to look for when buying an HDMI cable?

  1. Evaluate your requirement and buy

As mentioned above, there are many versions of HDMI. We also highlighted about HDMI cable and image support offered. Amidst this, you must remember that this technology is evolving, and new features are added eventually. However, buying the latest HDMI cable doesn’t mean that you are updated. Instead, check whether you need those features. You may buy an HDMI version supporting 4K, but does your connecting device support the technology? If you are opting for a simple connection, is it necessary to make such a huge investment?

Evaluate your requirements, after which make your final buy!

  1. Choose a reliable HDMI cable brand

There are many HDMI cable brands in the market. But do they offer all the features that they advertise? Choose a cable that flaunts reliability. Ensure that the HDMI cable connectors are durable and the make of the cable is resistant to wear and tear. Quality infused cables have gold-plated connectors, strong exteriors, and a superior foundation. And you will find these features in Cadyce’s range of HDMI cables.

  1. HDMI cable connector

There are five types of HDMI cable connectors. Type A is the standard connector. Type B exhibits compatibility with dual-link Digital Visual Interface, but it is hardly used. Type C, also known as Mini HDMI, Type D is Micro HDMI, and Type E is meant for in-vehicle use.

When buying an HDMI cable, keep a close check on the connector. Not just for the source device but also the destined device.

  1. Choose cables that exhibit speed

The HDMI cables of the 1.0 version are obsolete now. The HDMI cable bandwidth has witnessed way too many advancements. As mentioned above, the HDMI 2.1 offers a whopping bandwidth rate of 48 Gbps, which is true in every sense – “Ultra High Speed.” These modernized cables also exhibit resolution up to 4K and 8K, making an eye-pleasing entourage on your 4K TV. With this, there will be no picture lags, and real-life experience will be at your fingertips. Despite this, many users still wonder that is there a special HDMI cable for 4K? There’s no special cable called 4K HDMI cable. It all depends on how much bandwidth it has or how much data it can carry.

So, when you are hunting for the best 4K HDMI cable or best 8K HDMI cable, check out their specification and make the right choice! 

  1. Length of the HDMI cable

Most often, HDMI cable cords are longer, but there are exceptions too. Longer cables are always preferable because it adds to your comfort. Shorter cables are a hindrance in connectivity, especially when devices are afar. The HDMI cables offered by Cadyce come in various lengths ranging from 2 Meters to 100 Meters. However, some HDMI cables with length cause connectivity issues. But Cadyce’s cables are an exception as they are fiber optic HDMI cables that vouch for outstanding picture and sound quality at long distances. These cables eliminate signal loss and are immune to all sorts of interferences.

We are positive to have solved the riddle – what to look for when buying an HDMI cable. We understand that procuring an HDMI cable is a hurricane task for some because of its myriad of specifications. But do not fall into the marketing gimmicks. Strike a balance between your requirements, specifications, and quality. Above all, if you are looking for a reliable source, Cadyce should be your ultimate choice.

Best buy HDMI cable from Cadyce

When it comes to HDMI cable brands, Cadyce is one of the most trustworthy. The cables from Cadyce are infused with a plethora of benefits. Curated with sheer hard work, they showcase quality, durability, and reliability. If you are looking for innovative products, then allow Cadyce to help you with its range.

For more details, please visit www.cadyce.com

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