The modern world cannot be imagined without high technology. And every year they only improve. One of the great examples of improving the quality of transmitted data is an HDMI cable.
Its application today is becoming wider, because the possibilities of this type of connection are very extensive. Next, we consider the design features of the HDMI cable and the subtleties of its choice. If you suddenly forgot to change the keyboard layout, your question may turn into “rfr ds hfnm hdmi cable”, but the essence will remain the same.
Purpose and characteristics of the cable
From the acronym HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) it is clear that the cable is designed to transmit digital video in high resolution and multi-channel audio data. It appeared on the market back in 2002 and to this day has already undergone several changes, and more precisely, additions, which ultimately led to the creation of a highly effective means for connecting a signal source to a receiver even at large distances. Also, the HDMI cable is equipped with HDCP copy protection technology, which ensures that your information is protected from intruders.
Features of a modern HDMI cable:
- bandwidth is in the range from 4.9 to 15.8 Gbps per second, which is quite enough for watching high-resolution movies and 3D modeling;
- the difference in cable lengths - at home up to 15 meters, with amplifiers - up to 35 meters;
- Support for CEC and AV.link control protocols.
How to choose an HDMI cable for home? In order to answer this question, you should decide on its length. If it is necessary to connect the receiver and the source at distances of more than 1.5 meters, an intermediate amplifier is provided, which will be built into the cable. But then its cost will be quite high. An alternative is to purchase an external equalizer, which, however, will also require costs. It all depends on the final cost of components and your financial capabilities.
Cable design
Choosing an HDMI cable always starts with quality, therefore, in order not to make a mistake, you need to have information about its device.
By design, HDMI cables may differ in the presence or absence of ferrite rings. They are installed at both ends in order to suppress interference. Many manufacturers use this technology on all products whose length is more than 1.5 meters. This is due to the fact that with an increase in the length of the connections, the wave impedance also increases, which also increases with an increase in the frequency of the transmitted data. Plus, the large length of the cable and its passage near other sources of electromagnetic radiation will also lead to interference in it. Ferrite's magnetic ability provides effective noise suppression when transferring data using an HDMI cable.
A cable up to 1.5 meters long consists of:
- external insulation;
- aluminum foil screen;
- shielding braid made of copper wire, which is then sealed;
- intermediate polypropylene shell;
- separately shielded twisted pairs of the fifth category for video signals (synchronization and 3 primary colors), and all screens have a copper wire for soldering;
- twisted pair without a screen for SDA and SCL signals;
- separate lines for power and control;
- two connectors.
Based on the foregoing, you can answer the question of how to choose an HDMI cable:
- firstly, it needs to have ferrite rings on it;
- secondly, its diameter should be quite large, this indicates the presence of all the necessary screens;
- thirdly, with a large cable length, the amplifier must either be built into it or installed at the receiver input.
Types of cables
Since 2002, 8 varieties of HDMI cables have been released, starting with version 1.0 and ending with 1.4. Each version was complemented by new supported standards and features. Today, 4 types are most in demand, which are marked with capital letters A, B, C, D.
The main ones are types A and B. C and D are an addition and modification of the first type. The changes are to minimize the plug and socket, which carry the names mini and micro, respectively.
To answer the question of how to choose an HDMI cable for connecting a monitor, just specify the brand of the connector on the monitor itself and on the video card. If the types of connectors do not match, various adapters and extension cords are available for sale.
Application area
The scope of the HDMI cable is very wide, this is due to the mass production of equipment with the corresponding connectors and data transfer standards. HDMI connection technology is widely used both in home systems, for example, to improve the quality of video transmitted to a monitor or a large TV, and in cars - to transfer data from rear and front view cameras, as well as to connect a multimedia system and displays, mounted in the backs of the front seats.
The question of how to choose an HDMI cable can be answered by deciding on the place of its application. If it will be used in security systems and the laying will pass along the street, then the cable should be used as thick as possible. An increase in the cross section of the wire even with an increase in its length will not change the wave impedance, which should be no more than 100 Ohms.
Home multimedia applications
How to choose an HDMI cable to watch 3D? It all depends on its technical ability, which should allow transmitting data at high frequencies with a low noise figure, as well as support 4K UltraHD and 3D technology.
Such cables are listed in the name “HIGHT SPEED”. These include devices version 1.4 and higher. After the release of this standard, another variation appeared that differs by the additional ability to connect to the network, for example, to connect equipment to a router with Wi-Fi. Such cables also have an “ETHERNET” subscript.
Using HDMI cables in automotive data systems
In cars, STANDART AUTOMOTIVE cables are used to transfer images from the multimedia system to additional displays. They are specially designed for use in conditions of sudden changes in temperature and high vibrations. They also differ in the type of connector, which has additional mechanisms and latches that contribute to its reliable fixation in the socket.
The choice of HDMI cables for the car is simplified thanks to one standard and the unified marking “STANDART AUTOMOTIVE”. Most manufacturers of multimedia systems use this particular standard, but sometimes there are other types of connectors.
Benefits of HDMI Data Transfer
The indisputable advantages of HDMI data transfer are speed, which is achieved through the use of digital encoding of video and audio signals. And this has become a huge plus in front of composite, component and S-Video. In addition, most modern HDMI cables support the transmission of audio signals, which are also presented in digital form.
Choosing a Cable Type: To Summarize
So, how to choose the right HDMI cable? In order to answer this question, you must perform the following steps:
- Find out the type of connector and its form factor on your device;
- determine the required cable length as accurately as possible, because its cost depends on it;
- identify the conditions of its operation: for example, if it is subject to vibrations, then thicker options should be chosen. This is due to the design features of the cable.
When acquiring new modern technology, many more and more often ask themselves the question: how to choose an HDMI cable for a monitor or for a TV? The answer is extremely simple, because now there are quite a few devices with this interface. In monitors and TVs, it is one standard. Type A “HIGHT SPEED” is most often used, and the rest are used on mobile devices: laptops, routers, etc. Before buying a cable, you must determine the standard of the connector in your device and its length.