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Cables tie every piece of equipment together. No matter what you are using - a normal desktop computer setup, musical equipment, medical equipment - all of it requires a strong connection among the various machines. One must make a well-informed decision when picking out cables for their particular setup.
Some of the most important cables out there are used for audio and visual equipment. They must work in tandem; otherwise, the result is not pleasing to the eye or ear. For this, modern equipment uses HDMI cables. These are available everywhere and for all sorts of apparatus. But how do you select the best quality product?
Through tried and tested methods, it has been found that the quality of the HDMI cable does not affect the quality of the image. But on the other hand, it is a well-known fact that not all HDMI cables are created equal. Here’s what to look for when shopping for one:
How To Check HDMI Cable Quality?
The first thing you should look out for is the video quality. If the cable company boasts of a high-quality product, the easiest way to check this out is to simply plug in your HDMI cable to the required monitor and turn it on. If the cable is as good as it claims, you should have a crystal clear image.
This is an undeniable indicator of the quality. But there are more subtle things you should be on the lookout for. For instance, the distinct coloring of whatever you are watching. It may not be as evident as a staticky video or a video that keeps cutting off, but it is also a pretty good indicator. While many shows/movies use a color filter (see: Twilight (2008)), generally, when you are watching something, and there’s a pinkish hue washed over it, it means that you have a poor cable.
An overt problem with your cable could be that it does not fit into your particular port. Most of the time, this can be solved by connecting it properly. But if the problem persists, it could be because your cable is of cheap quality and, therefore, not very flexible, leading to easy breakage. A good quality HDMI cable will be made of a stronger, more flexible material so that it can bend easily without a disruption in the quality of the video.
HDMI cables are also used to transmit sound. Just like video quality, be on the lookout for any issues, or lack of them, with the sound quality. If the product is cheap, the sound may start fading out or become fuzzy and generally not pleasing to hear.
Now that we have covered quality, another thing you would want to know is the speed of the cable.
How To Test HDMI Cable Speed?
You cannot physically distinguish one HDMI cable from the next when it comes to bandwidth. But you need video/audio transmitted at high speeds, without glitches and cut-offs. So how do you know what to keep and what to let go? There are three simple ways of testing the speed of your HDMI cables.
- Product Description
The very obvious one is to check the description of the product. Read the packaging and all the tags attached to the cable itself. It has all the information you need regarding the cable, especially the speed. Of course, not everyone holds on to the packaging, and the cable may not have a tag. So what next? Check online for the specs. All online shopping websites have descriptions, and you may find what you are looking for.
- Prints on the HDMI Cable
Some HDMI cables have their specs printed on the cable itself. These specs may be printed in green, white, or blue color. The font may be tiny, so you will have to check minutely. It may not have all the specs, but it will definitely mention the speed or the words “High-Speed HDMI Cable.”
- Check Using a Computer
Just plug in the cable to your HDMI-compatible computer, and you should have all the information you need regarding the cable, not just speed. The drawback here is that your computer’s specs may affect the outcome.
Now that you know how to buy the best-quality, high-speed cables, allow me to introduce you to the two top players on the market.
HDMI 2.0
HDMI 2.0 Is the flagship cable that has been created to hold up the increased bandwidth requirements of your standard 4K Ultra HD displays. You may wonder how you can tell if the cable is HDMI 2.0 or not. There are a few ways to figure it out.
How To Identify HDMI 2.0 Cable?
One thing you can do is look at the connector at the end of the cable. If you find a small rectangular label that says “HDMI 2.0” on it, then that is what it is. If there is no such rectangular label, then you can always look at the product specs on the packaging or find an online listing of the product.
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.1 kicks things up a notch and allows higher resolutions like 8k in addition to higher frame rates of up to 120 FPS. Again, how do you identify such a cable?
How To Identify HDMI 2.1 Cable?
HDMI 2.1 cables all have their distinct logo on the packaging or the cable. Another way to identify this cable is its backward compatibility with older HDMI versions. The third way is the simplest: check the packaging and labeling. And lastly, look for certification stickers on the packaging. If you find the words “HDMI Ultra High Speed” anywhere on the box, you're good to go.
In conclusion, choosing the right HDMI cable is crucial for a strong connection among various equipment. While cable quality may not directly affect image quality, indicators like clear video, accurate colors, and reliable sound should be considered. Flexible and compatible cables prevent disruptions and breakages. To test speed, check product descriptions, cable prints, or use a compatible computer. The top players in the market are HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1, identifiable through labeling and certification stickers. Opt for high-quality, high-speed HDMI cables to enhance your audio and visual setup for optimal performance.