Original: Do Premium HDMI Cables Make A Difference?
Not all HDMI cables are created equal. After purchasing a brand-new Ultra HD TV, you are faced with the question of which HDMI cable is suitable for transmitting the desired quality. With the wide selection of cables available, things can be a bit overwhelming. We examine the differences between the various HDMI cables and show you what you should look for when buying.
The main differences between HDMI cables and premium HDMI cables
There are some differences in HDMI cables that are sometimes not even recognizable at first glance. We have listed the most significant differences for you.
The price
The price range for HDMI cables can be exceptionally large. One quickly concludes that there must be significant differences in the signal quality. However, this is not the case at all. HDMI cables work by TMDS technology, which efficiently eliminates interference and errors. This means that there is either a perfect signal or none at all. In fact, there is no level in between. However, this does not mean that there is no difference between cheap and premium HDMI cables.
Version and functionality
Since 2010, the versions and functionalities of HDMI cables have only been distinguished by the designations HDMI Standard and HDMI High-Speed (each with and without Ethernet channel). When it came to HDMI 2.0 Standard, version numbers were used again, and the Premium Certificate was also introduced. The Premium certificate ensures that all HDMI 2.0 functions such as 4K or even 8K with a refresh rate of at least 60 Hz and other features are supported. Premium HDMI cables are identified by a corresponding label on the packaging.
Current HDMI transmission standards include:
- High Speed HDMI cable (first version): 10 Gbit/s and suitable for HD resolution and HDMI features such as Deep Color, 3D, and HD audio
- High Speed HDMI Cable (newer version): 18 Gbit/s and supports additional features such as 4K, HDR color display, and refresh rate up to 120 Hz
- Premium certified HDMI cable: 48 Gbit/s and supports HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 and resolutions up to 8K
For normal HD mode (resolution of 1080p), the HDMI High Speed cable is perfectly sufficient. However, if you want to upgrade to 4K or even 8K resolution in the future, the Premium HDMI cable is recommended.
Processing quality
The processing quality of HDMI cables is another significant difference between among various HDMI cables and price levels. With many cheap cables, the transition between the plug and the cable harness is a weak point, and cable breaks and other defects quickly occur. Special nylon sheaths, for example, protect better against cable breaks and kinks than plastic sheaths.
In private use, two to four times shielded HDMI cables with good workmanship are perfectly sufficient. For special occasions, such as use outdoors, in the studio or even in the flush-mounted or cable duct together with power cables, particularly robust and shielded HDMI cables should be used.
Length
HDMI cables with a length between 1 m and 3 m are usually quite cheap. From a length of 5 meters, HDMI cables become considerably more expensive because the requirements for processing and material increase. HDMI cables work with copper wires, which generate an increasingly higher resistance depending on the length. Exceptionally long HDMI cables can therefore quickly become problematic. To save transmission errors and money, you should measure exactly how many meters of cable you need before buying.
Connector type
The connector type is another difference between HDMI cables. Usually HDMI type A is used, but in exceptional cases a more compact plug may be necessary. Therefore, there are also still smaller plug types. Overall, a distinction is made between HDMI Type A (standard size), HDMI Type C (mini) and HDMI Type D (micro).
Conclusion
HDMI cables do not necessarily have to be expensive. A high price can only be justified in exceptional cases, for example, when particularly robust cables are needed for outdoor use or for flush-mounting. However, those who still own old hardware can simply fall back on an all-rounder HDMI cable for little money. Should the hardware be upgraded in the future and 4K or 8K resolution become relevant, a certified premium HDMI cable is recommended.
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