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Choosing The Right HDMI Cable What do all new televisions, home theatre components such as a Blueray players, and gaming systems like the Microsoft XBox One and Sony Play station all have in common? They have HDMI interfaces. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface and is the new standard for all video input and output devices. To connect these devices you will need to choose an HDMI cable.

An HDMI cable is a single cable comprised of many individual wires that collectively carry digital audio, video and even network (Ethernet) connectivity between these components. The keyword in the previous statement is "digital", and in here lies a fact that big box stores and custom audio/video industry don't want you to know. You don’t need an expensive or premium brand HDMI cable to get the most out of your HDMI TV and components.

The reason is because HDMI uses a digital signal, which for practical purposes, means you either have the signal or you don’t. There is no notion of a snowy or faded TV picture with HDMI, nor is there muffled or crackling sound from a bad HDMI cable. While there are some differences in the manufacturing process of HDMI cables, all HDMI cables must adhere to the HDMI standards. Choosing the correct HDMI cable therefore is not so much about the price of the cable rather its about ensuring you choose the right features for your components. The first feature to consider is the type of HDMI interface the devices you are looking to connect have.

There are Standard, Mini, and Micro sized connectors. Mobile devices like cell phones tend to have a Micro HDMI connectors to save space.

Televisions and gaming consoles tend to have the standard sized HDMI connectors. Laptop computers and tablets may have a mini connector.

The second feature of an HDMI cable you should consider is the speed of the cable. Standard speed cables, also called Category 1 cables, only support up to video resolutions up to 1080i. High speed cables , also called Category 2, support up to 1080p resolution. To maximize the capability of your TV or Display and connecting components you should choose a high speed cable. The third feature to consider is whether or not your devices require Ethernet or use HDMI networking.

This is something that both components must both support in order for it to work correctly. The good news is that you can purchase an HDMI cable with Ethernet capability and it will not cause any issues if your components do not require it. Finally you should consider the length of the cable you require. HDMI cables are available in a variety of length from 18� or 1-1/2 foot to 180� or 15 foot lengths.

The bottom line is that all new video display and components with video output are standardizing on the HDMI format. Despite what you may have been told at a big box retail store, you do not need an expensive HDMI cable to maximize the video and audio capabilities of your components, rather it is more important to ensure you choose a cable that has the right features to support your devices.