HDMI is a technology for wired transmission of digital signals that are subsequently converted into images, video and audio. Today it is the most common transmission option and is used in almost all computing technology where video information is provided - from smartphones to personal computers.

The port has 19 pins in all variations. The connector is also divided into several types, based on which you need to buy the required cable or adapter for it. The following types are available:

Port types can be distinguished from each other by outward appearance or by special marking in the form of one Latin letter (not available on all ports).

Cable length information

For general consumption, HDMI cables are sold up to 10 meters long, but they can also be found up to 20 meters, which is quite enough for the average user. Various enterprises, data centers, IT companies for their needs can purchase cables of 20, 50, 80 and even more than 100 meters. For home use, you should not take a cable "with a margin", the option for 5 or 7.5 m will be quite enough.

Cable for home use They are made mainly of special copper, which transmits the signal over short distances without problems. However, there is a dependence of the quality of reproduction on the type of copper from which the cable is made and its thickness.

For example, models made of specially treated copper, marked "Standard", with a thickness of about 24 AWG (this is a cross-section area of ​​approximately 0.204 mm 2) can transmit a signal up to 10 meters at a resolution of 720 × 1080 pixels with a screen refresh rate of 75 MHz ... A similar cable, but made using the "High Speed" technology (you can find the designation High Speed) with a thickness of 28 AWG (an area in diameter of 0.08 mm 2) is already capable of transmitting a signal as 1080 × 2160 points with a frequency of 340 MHz.

Pay attention to the refresh rate of the screen of the cable (it is indicated in the technical documentation or written on the packaging). For comfortable viewing of video and games, the human eye needs about 60-70 MHz. Therefore, you need to chase the numbers and the quality of the output signal only in cases where:

• Your monitor and video card support 4K resolution and you would like to use their capabilities 100%;
• If you are professional video editing and / or 3D rendering.

The speed and quality of signal transmission depends on the length, so it is best to buy a cable with a short length. If, for some reason, you need a longer model, then it is better to pay attention to the options with the following markings:

HDMI versions

Thanks to the joint efforts of six large IT companies, HDMI 1.0 was released in 2002. Today, the American company Silicon Image is engaged in almost all further improvements and promotion of this connector. In 2013, the most modern version- 2.0, which is not compatible with other versions, so it is better to buy an HDMI cable of this version only if you are sure that the port on the computer / TV / monitor / other equipment also has this version.

The recommended version for purchase is 1.4, which was released in 2009, as it is compatible with versions 1.3 and 1.3b, which were released in 2006 and 2007 and are the most common. Version 1.4 has certain modifications - 1.4a, 1.4b, which are also compatible with 1.4 without modifications, 1.3, 1.3b versions.

Cable types version 1.4

Since this is the recommended version for purchase, we will consider it in more detail. There are five varieties in total: Standard, High Speed, Standard with Ethernet, High Speed ​​with Ethernet, and Standard Automotive. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Standard - suitable for connecting undemanding home devices. Supports 720p resolution. Has the following characteristics:

Standard with Ethernet - has identical characteristics with a standard analogue, the only difference is that there is support for an Internet connection, capable of transferring data at a speed of no more than 100 Mbps in two directions.

High Speed ​​or Speed ​​High. Has support for Deep Color, 3D and ARC technologies. The latter needs to be considered in more detail. Audio Return Channel - allows you to transfer sound along with video in full. Previously, in order to achieve excellent sound quality, for example, on a TV connected to a laptop, it was required to use an additional headset. The maximum working resolution is 4096 × 2160 (4K). The following specifications are available:

• 5 Gbps - maximum bandwidth threshold;
• 24 bits - maximum color depth;
• 165 MP is the maximum allowable frequency band.

There is a high-speed version with internet support. The internet data transfer rate is also 100 Mbps.
Standard Automotive - used in cars and can only be connected to E-type HDMI. The specifications for this variant are the same as for the standard variant. The only exception is the increased degree of protection and the built-in ARC-system, which is not present in the standard wire.

The operation of a cable is influenced not only by its characteristics, material of manufacture, but also by the quality of the assembly, which is not written anywhere and is difficult to determine at first glance. Use these tips to save a little and choose the best option... List of recommendations:

• There is a common misconception that gold-plated cables carry signals better. This is not the case, gold plating is applied in order to protect the contacts from moisture and mechanical stress... Therefore, it is better to choose conductors with nickel, chrome or titanium plated, as they provide better protection and are cheaper (except for titanium coating). If you will be using the cable at home, then there is no point in buying a cable with additional contact protection;
• Those who need to transmit a signal over a distance of over 10 meters are advised to pay attention to the presence of a built-in repeater to amplify the signal, or to buy a special amplifier. Pay attention to the cross-sectional area (measured in AWG) - the smaller its value, the better the signal will be transmitted over long distances;
• Try to buy cables with shielding or special protection in the form of cylindrical bulges. It is designed to support optimal quality transmission (prevents interference) even on very thin cables.

To do right choice, you must take into account all the specifications of the cable and the built-in HDMI port. If the cable and port do not match, you will either need to buy a special adapter, or completely replace the cable.

Details andy Questions and answers

If you still do not know how to choose an HDMI cable - reliable, non-attenuating signal and supporting all the important functions of a modern TV, we will try to help you. As selection criteria, we propose to use several important characteristics: cost, version of the standard, dimensions, shape of the connector.

Price

No matter how hard marketers try to highlight the special qualities of expensive HDMI cables (more than $ 100), which include gold and silver elements, practice has shown that they practically do not differ from budget $ 5 analogs in their ability to transmit video signals and multichannel sound without loss.

If you are not going to constantly disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable to the connectors of the TV and peripheral, then it would be quite justified to buy its inexpensive version. This axiom is valid for short HDMI cables (up to 10 meters).

HDMI cable version

Since the approval of the HDMI standard in 2002, the following versions have been developed: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, 1.3, 1.3b, 1.4a, 1.4b, 2.0. Today, most modern multimedia equipment supports HDMI 1.4, although there are many older 1.3 standard cables on the market.

The most modern version of HDMI 2.0, which provides ultra-high resolution 3D image transmission at an increased vertical frequency (50/60 Hz), is used only in top-end electronic equipment. For the average user who wants to watch 3D programs and UltraHD video (at 25/30 Hz frame rate) in acceptable quality, it will be enough to opt for HDMI 1.4 cable.

Some HDMI cables contain the word Ethernet in their marking, which means that they additionally contain twisted pair, which allows you to directly connect to the Internet. The moment is controversial, given that most modern TVs already support Smart technologies, implying wireless and wired ways web switching.

HDMI cable dimensions

When choosing an HDMI cable, there is a simple rule to follow: the longer you need the cable, the thicker it should be. In this case, manufacturers use thicker conductors and a good insulation layer, which do not contribute to signal attenuation and provide increased reliability of the cable itself.

For example, experts say that with an HDMI cable length of about 5 meters, its thickness should not be less than 7 mm. But a 20-meter cable should not be narrower than 11 mm. Sometimes the marking of an HDMI cable is indicated not in the metric system we are used to, but in the American parameter-caliber AWG. In this case, remember that the lower the specified AWG value, the thicker the HDMI cable will be.

Connector shape

Well, the last parameter that determines which HDMI cable to choose is the shape of the connector. Today, 4 types of HDMI connectors are most common:

• Standard or Full Size HDMI (Type A Full Size) - for most modern home equipment;
• Mini-HDMI (Type C Mini) - for smartphones, tablets, portable video players and digital camcorders;
• Micro-HDMI (Type D Micro) - for digital camcorders and miniature devices such as video cards;
• Car HDMI (Type E) - with a more secure mount.

Therefore, before going to the store, it is advisable to look at the technical documentation of the equipment that you want to connect with a cable to find out what type of HDMI connector it uses.

If the materials in this article did not help you solve your question, ask it on our forum.

HDMI input or output (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a mandatory attribute of modern AV technology. No display, AV receiver, laptop or game console is without this connector. HDMI can be called an integral interface, a kind of AV postman. With it, you can safely send high-definition video with multi-channel HD audio in one package. Of course, today all cable manufacturers - from majors like Monster to the most rootless non-names - offer a scattering of HDMI connectors in their nomenclature, but to understand the technological difference, you need to look into history.

In December of this year, this standard is preparing to celebrate its 14th anniversary, and the number of devices sold is in the billions. Seven "parents" were involved in the emergence of HDMI, among which are Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, Silicon Image, Philips, Sony, Thomson / RCA. The purpose of this sister alliance was to create a digital replacement for analog interfaces such as SCART. At that time, only DVI was transmitting video by digital. And besides, the two connectors mentioned were quite massive. To prevent the connection from falling apart, the DVI plug, as well as the computer RGB, were equipped with screw fasteners. Plus, for audio, you had to draw another line. Decidedly inconvenient!

HDMI cables: how it's done

HDMI cables use three types of 19-pin connectors: the most popular full-size HDMI (type A), mini-HDMI (type C) and miniature micro-HDMI (type D), used to connect compact devices. Occasionally you will find Type “B” with 29 pins for connection to UHD displays, as well as water / dirt-resistant “E” connectors with a locking clip (these are often used in cars).

A standard HDMI cable typically includes 4 twisted pairs (each with 100 ohm impedance, its own shield and drain wire) that carry data and sync signals. Unshielded twisted pair - DDC protocol for transferring service data between the video adapter and the TV / monitor. Separate wires are used for power and control signals, and additional lines can be used for optional chips like ARC and Ethernet-channel HEC (HDMI Ethernet Channel, 100 Mbps).

HDMI Port Pinout Diagram

For packaging and transportation of AV-parcels, i.e. to encode and transmit information, it uses a differential signaling protocol with minimized transitions TMDS. Protects " postal couriers"Professional" bodyguard "- borrowed from Intel Corporation HDCP technology (" High-bandwidth digital data protection protocol "), which protects content from being copied, ie. piracy.

Traditionally, conductors are equipped with polypropylene, HDPE, etc. dielectric. This whole structure is wrapped in a screen made of aluminum foil or aluminized mylar, and a copper screening braid and a protective sheath are placed on top. For example, in Monster HDMI cables, the conductors are themselves made of highly purified oxygen-free OFC copper, and the 4-level shielding is designed to eliminate any external interference. It is also good practice to have gold plated connections. In this place, it is usually customary to laugh at the "golden wires", but in fact, the reason for the gilding is utterly banal. Gold, yielding to copper in conductivity, behaves absolutely inert and does not oxidize during long-term operation.

Back to the history of HDMI. The first version turned out to be a child prodigy with very useful talents: a rather miniature connector, the ability to simultaneously broadcast HD video and multichannel audio, as well as high-quality transmission of the YCbCr color space. As a bonus, there was a CEC control protocol capable of combining multiple HDMI devices into a single controllable system. Simplicity and ease of use, as well as support for the transmission of digital HD-audio and HD-video in one cable, have made HDMI a true hero of our time.

Traditionally, the HDMI port is attached to the board itself, so it is highly undesirable to loosen the connector to the sides when turning the cable on / off.

The bandwidth indicator divides HDMI cables into standard (Standard, "category 1", do not transmit pictures higher than 1080i and 720p) and high-speed (High Speed, "category 2", transmit 4K and 3D). HDMI cables are typically 1 to 3 meters long, but can even be up to 15 meters long if quality materials and components are used, and most importantly, thicker conductors.

Follow the designations: 24 AWG - indicates a cross-sectional area of ​​0.205 mm2 (This is very good! Such a cable can transmit a signal up to 15 meters), and 28 AWG - only 0.081 mm2 (traditionally up to 5 meters for Category 1 cords). Please note that AWG is the American wire thickness marking system, and the lower the number, the thicker the cable. However, in the case of using longer cables to obtain an image without artifacts and distortion, you will have to use a signal amplifier. High speed cables can carry the highest resolution video signal, but over shorter distances.

HDMI progress: how it works

Since then, HDMI technology has evolved quite vigorously. Suffice it to compare the base standard 1.0, presented in December 2002, with its maximum bandwidth of 4.95 Gb / s, and version 2.0 of the 2013 sample, with its declared 18 gigabits per second. "One" supported Full-HD video at 60 Hz and 8-channel LPCM audio (24 bit / 192 kHz), and version 2.0 already opens access to UltraHD (4K, 4096x2160p / 60 Hz), 3D video from 25 frames per second and 32-channel audio.

The Monster HDMI adapter is very useful when you need to move the cable away from the connector and not bend the cable itself.

Other features of 2.0 include support for a video signal with an extended color space BT 2020 (aka Rec. 2020), which is expressed in the display of more colors and shades, the Dual View function (parallelizing multiple images on one screen) and audio standards DRA and HE- AAC. In addition, via HDMI 2.0, it became possible to work with displays of the 21: 9 format, support for HD-audio with a frequency of 1536 kHz and much more.

In April last year, the standard was updated to HDMI 2.0a, which included the concept of HDR video (High Dynamic Range) with high dynamic range... An HDMI 2.1 interface is planned, ready to work with dynamic data in HDR, which compares favorably with statics previous version... Basically, the magic of the new 2.1 interface is that the TV / projector adjustments can now change every frame according to the nature of the current scene. So far, this technology is registered only in Dolby Vision, but it should also be included in HDR10, which today only supports static metadata (i.e., set values ​​for the entire film).

As for sound, back in the 2009 version of HDMI 1.4, ARC (Audio Return Channel) appeared - a reverse audio channel capable of sending audio in both directions. This handy feature allows you to get by with a single HDMI cable when you need to output audio from your TV to an AV receiver.

In addition, the HDMI port gets along with the MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) interface. Now the whole gang: camcorders, tablets and smartphones can be easily connected to displays and AV-receivers and run media content while simultaneously charging the battery. Latest version superMHL has gone even further and even works with 8K resolution and HDR.

Full overclocking

I will consider the specifics of HDMI standards using the example of the largest cable manufacturer Monster. According to its developers, the best option with a margin for the future, the HDMI cable will become that will provide the highest possible signal transmission speed, i.e. will be able to transmit large amounts of information in a short period of time.

Such models with serious potential include the flagship Monster UltraHD Black Platinum, which is capable of streaming media content at a speed of 27 Gbps. This is quite enough not only for high-speed 4K (Ultra HD) TVs, but also for absolutely fantastic 8K screens that will appear in the not too distant future. The model supports frame rates of 60 and 120 Hz and has a color depth of 8 to 16 bits. To that end, the UltraHD Black Platinum packaging has a neat Ultimate High Speed ​​icon indicating that it is the fastest HDMI cable in the brand line.

HDMI Cable Monster UltraHD Black Platinum

For the most distrustful, there is a Black Platinum modification with a triple LED bandwidth indicator built into the body of the plug, corresponding to 4K (Ultra HD), HD (high definition) and SD (standard definition). As a bonus, the cable provides an Ethernet connection. The special V-Grip technology ensures that the plug does not accidentally slip out of its socket during intensive cleaning.

The company notes that if the top-end Monster can't handle the new HDMI device in terms of bandwidth, the user will receive a decent free replacement that will solve all the issues.

For several years ahead

The more frugal connoisseurs of 4K x 2K projectors and displays should opt for the Platinum cable, which differs from its older brother, Black Platinum, at a slightly reduced data rate of 22.5 Gb / s. Marking in in this case listed as Ultra High Speed. The model also covers the HDMI 2.0 standard and 4K x 2K resolution, but is inferior in frame rate: 30 and 60 Hz, respectively, versus 60 and 120 Hz for the Black Platinum. The ability to transfer color depth here is 8-14 bits. For the current content, these are still exorbitant numbers, don't worry.

HDMI Cable Monster Ultra HD Platinum

The rest of the characteristics coincide with the parameters and design of the flagship. The model also works with an Ethernet connection, has a lifetime warranty and will be replaced at no additional cost if equipment appears that it cannot work with.

Incidentally, Monster claims that the 24K gold plated plugs will withstand up to 10,000 connections without any damage. Although at home, the need to often switch the cable does not arise, however, this once again confirms the reliability of the coverage.

Here and now

For confident work with technology that supports Full HD-resolution, the Gold model is quite suitable, which occupies the third place in the table of ranks in the new HDMI-line Monster. Its packaging is marked with the inscription "Advanced High Speed", i.e. "Increased maximum speed" of signal transmission. The Golden Cord guarantees a data transfer rate of 18 gigabits per second, operates at 1080p + resolution, 3D video at 30/60 Hz and supports 8-12 bit color. 7.1-channel audio content with support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio is also transmitted.

HDMI Cable Monster Gold Advanced High Speed ​​HDMI

The cable will be a good link between TV and media player, satellite TV system, laptop, game console, etc. The Gold model also boasts a lifetime brand warranty, the cable uses V-Grip technology to securely fit in the connector, gold-plated plugs and a protective shell made of elastic wear-resistant Duraflex material.

The most inexpensive cable in the line of the American company - Monster HDMI 700hd Advanced High Speed

Of course, not everyone needs 4K-capable HDMI cables. Model entry level Monster Essentials High Performance also has a flamboyant name, but is significantly cheaper and passes media data at a speed of 10.2 Gbps - this is standard HDMI 1.4. Basically, this version supports 4K with a maximum frequency of 30Hz, but Monster is not considering this cable as a means for full display of 4K pictures. The cord is suitable for connecting a signal source (Blu-ray player, satellite tuner, laptop, etc.) to a TV or monitor that does not exceed 1080p resolution. That is, we are talking about the vast majority of users.

In specialized editions for true amateurs high sound and a crystal-clear image a long time ago, a consensus of expert opinions has formed and is steadily maintained, according to which the price of connecting wires should be about 10% of the total cost of a decent audio-video complex. These figures appeared in the days of high-end analog equipment for audiophiles, but the transition to digital technology has changed little. In other words, even today, digital cables can be found on the market today at a price not only hundreds, but even thousands of dollars apiece.

But think about it, have you ever met people who are absolutely seriously convinced that the picture quality in a video clip downloaded from a site like YouTube can be significantly improved if you connect your computer to the Internet using a more expensive and high-quality Ethernet cable?

Such a home theater kit costs about 20,000 rubles. Following the logic of connoisseurs of beauty, an HDMI cable should be selected for it not less than 2000. And if you don't be greedy and take it for 4000, the picture takes on a special velvety and copper-nickel harmonics sound exquisitely snooty

The question can be perceived as rhetorical, for it is unlikely that a person who even approximately imagines the principles of digital recording and transmission of data would come up with such a strange idea. Indeed, according to this kind of idea, it turns out that the same file, consisting of absolutely the same zeros and ones, will be reproduced by the computer in different ways - depending on whether these bits entered it through an expensive cord or through a cheap one.

No matter how wild these conclusions may sound, in a specific community of people under the conditional name "audiophiles" there is a sufficient number of enthusiasts who take just such a position. So, the well-known company Denon was one of the first, probably, to notice such an unusual look of true connoisseurs of beauty on digital technologies. And she grasped the essence of what was happening very clearly: if there are enough people in the world who are simply bursting with the desire to spend as much money on technology as possible, then why not help them with this?

And now a completely unique product appeared on the market - a Denon AK-DL1 digital cable with a length of 1.5 meters and a price - depending on the place of purchase - from $ 500 to $ 1000 or more per piece, “ultra-premium cable, designed especially for enthusiasts -audiophiles ". Functionally the same as a regular Ethernet cable, but “made of copper wire of the highest purity and with high quality connectors, the AK-DL1 cable brings absolutely every nuance of digital playback from any Denon DVD player with Denon Link digital interconnect to the appropriate Denon Receiver with Denon Link ”( It was, I must explain, in the mid-2000s, even before the advent of the universal digital interface.HDMIfor high-definition media and bitrate transmission, where every reputable company has come up with their own digital interconnect technology in their flagship components. Denon called it Denon Link - approx. the author).

When you imagine that we are talking about an ordinary, in fact, power cord, the description of the super-duper cable Denon AK-DL1 (which is still sold on the Internet, and on Amazon.com costs about $ 1000) reads like something surreal: “In order to prevent losses caused by electromagnetic noise and interference, these cables are shielded high level based on a tin alloy not commonly available in commercial cable systems. In addition, the cable is marked with directional markings for optimal signal transmission. This cable has been designed with great attention to detail - using high quality insulation combined with a woven braid - to reduce vibration and add durability to the product. The rounded shape of the connector prevents its breakage "...

Nowadays, as you know, in the field of interconnections for household appliances the era of HDMI dominance has arrived. For outsiders and people with technical knowledge, this may seem very strange, but on the forums of audiophiles, moviegoers and, for some time now, gamers who have also joined the world of high-quality video and sound, to this day there are very hot, sometimes even fierce disputes around hypothetical superiority expensive HDMI cables.

When you look at this debate from the outside, you get the strong impression that in the world of true connoisseurs of the beautiful, the idea of ​​a fundamental difference between digital transmission of information and analogue causes some kind of internal protest and general discomfort. Here they are still sure that only a very expensive cable can provide the maximum picture quality. A "binary", in fact, approach to the delivery of digital information - the data is either received in integrity or not - is perceived by such people skeptically and with great distrust. Well, in their opinion, a cheap HDMI cable for a couple of hundred rubles cannot produce the same crystal-clear picture on a home theater screen as a solid cable at the cost of, say, fifteen to twenty thousand Russian money.

Among the numerous advantages of digital information processing in this particular context, the possibilities of formal, mathematically absolutely strict comparison of images provided by different cables are of particular interest.

In January of this year, one of such tests was conducted by English gambling enthusiasts who regularly participate in the life of the E uro G amer.net website.

Having fundamentally and completely abandoned the known methods of testing hypotheses based on subjective perceptions of people from a group of volunteer test subjects, here the researchers chose a purely technical way of analysis. For testing, we took four HDMI cables 2 meters long in the price range from one and a half to hundreds of pounds (remember, 1 pound is about 46 rubles). Since the research was carried out on the basis of game consoles standard cables from the Xbox 360 Elite (about £ 30) and from the Sony PlayStation 3 (about £ 18) fall within these price ranges.

What kind of technical answer has been invented as an alternative to not very reliable human perception? The researchers decided that the most efficient way to compare was to capture exactly the same video signal across different cables, and then compare the captured output files using a standard check-sum like MD5 hash function. It is clear that if the values ​​of the checksums turn out to be the same, then the corresponding data sets - in other words, the picture of the image - are completely identical regardless of the cable used.

As a practical solution to a nontrivial, generally speaking, problem with surgically accurate video capture in a broadband data stream, it was decided to make a full, lossless compression 24-bit screenshot of some advanced game with the maximum available 1080p resolution. Gran Turismo 5 was a fairly obvious choice, a TrueHD capture card was used to capture the screenshot, and the checksum hash value was calculated using the publicly available HashCalc program.

The results of the tests were summarized by the researchers in a single table, which, according to them, "demonstrates the total victory of common sense and reasonable parsimony." That is, the resulting images for all cables turned out to be completely - bit for bit - identical, regardless of how much was spent on the connecting cord - a hundred pounds or only one and a half pounds. Any working HDMI cable has been rigorously mathematically determined to guarantee you a flawless picture - as wonderful as your screen can handle.

Like any experiment carried out in practice, this test cannot be called flawless in all respects. The main disadvantage here, of course, is that the researchers analyzed not a moving, but a static HD picture. This was due to the fact that, given the available technical capabilities and features of image rendering in game consoles, it is not possible to separate absolutely identical fragments of a dynamic video stream several times.

Nevertheless, as the researchers emphasize, under these test conditions, the image viewer available in the console, the XMB Photo Viewer produced a picture with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels, updating it 60 times per second, while simultaneously playing an uncompressed audio stream. That is, we are talking about the effectively maximum output that is implied for the game when using HDMI cables.

If the results of this "formal-mathematical" testing of a static picture have not convinced someone, then there is another, quite fresh example of tests of a different kind. In the May issue of one of the world's best-known computer magazines, PC Magazine, the editorial testing lab published their own comparisons for HDMI cables from vastly different price ranges.

PCMag's lab tested five cables of different brands, but the same length, costing from $ 3 to $ 120 apiece. As in the tests of gamers, here, too, they did not expand the range to very expensive cords with a price of about $ 700 (such as those known among connoisseurs of the AudioQuest brand), but based on other considerations. If in the previous case the testers, according to them, simply did not have extra funds for such wasteful expenses, then PCMag decided not to do this because of the stupidity of the idea itself - well, a cable cannot cost as much as a decent HD TV.

The current generation of the HDMI standard requires all cables meeting version 1.4 specifications to be capable of 10.2 gigabits per second of bandwidth. The reality of the current market is such that the testers, when choosing cables for testing, simply could not find one that would not support HDMI 1.4. In other words, if a cable is compatible with the HDMI 1.4 standard, then it is assumed that it passes through it all the signal necessary for full and high-quality playback of video and audio content.

All cables tested were the same 2m length and connected a Sony Bravia KDL-46EX720 3D HDTV to an LG BD670 Blu-ray player. At the output of the player, a video signal was output only maximum resolution 1080p. And to check the signal quality, three different types tests: technical assessment of picture quality, "double-blind" image test according to human perception and test for 3D support.

A special Blu-ray disc with a set of test utilities HQV video benchmark was used for the technical quality assessment. For each of the cables, a set of video tests was run to check the quality of the video signal by means of all sorts of image manipulations, frame synchronization and color separation capabilities. Tests of this kind include numerous static and animation pictures that allow you to effectively identify possible problems with the image on the display. All five cables passed the HQV test suite brilliantly (with the exception of one insignificant test, which did not go well with each of the cords, which most likely indicated a problem with the functional set of capabilities of a particular player).

The so-called "double-blind" video test included the participation of five volunteers who volunteered to give their subjective assessments of the picture quality (the term "double-blind" here means that during each specific test, neither the subjects nor the testers know in advance what kind of cable is being tested ). All of them were shown the same scene from "Predators" played from the Blu-ray disc 5 times. None of the viewer testers were able to identify any tangible difference between the $ 3 wire and the $ 120 cable. Not to mention other intermediate cables in this wide price range.

Finally, for 3D tests, a disc with the movie "Avatar" was loaded into the player, in order to use its example to test the ability of cables to fully work with the HDMI 1.4 standard and main feature the latter is the transmission of a "volumetric" image. Again, absolutely all tested cables, including the cheapest one, easily and without defects transferred everything between the player and the display, even the most complex and rich scenes.

How painful it is to admit that an out-of-breed cable with a special Chinese gilding without a grain of gold provides the same result as an analogue, which costs a hundred times more!

In short, the absolutely unambiguous result of these tests sounds like this: for the vast majority of configurations of consumer electronics capable of playing high-definition video, it makes absolutely no difference whether any noname $ 3 HDMI cable purchased at eBay, or $ 120, purchased from a high-end electronics store. For all the most rigorous tests did not reveal absolutely no difference in the image quality produced by the cheapest and most expensive cables ...

This material would, of course, be incomplete if it did not contain a few important notes about the specifics of HDMI technology. In the conclusions of the researchers who conducted the tests, it is far from accidental that a reservation is made that the results of their testing are valid for "the vast majority of configurations" - which means the length of the connecting cables of the order of 2-3 meters or less. For the most important feature of a twisted pair HDMI cable is that it is simply not designed to transmit a broadband signal over long distances (according to the specifications - no more than 10 meters without repeater amplifiers).

To make the "generic defects" of an HDMI cable, which is a direct descendant of the DVI interface, clearer, it is enough to point out that signals are transmitted here significantly differently than, say, in high-speed local networks, where twisted pair is also widely used, but the distance of reliable signal transmission is much more.

Network protocols are always two-way communication with error correction. That is, any packet that did not reach the recipient in computer network can be resent. And the video signal in an HDMI cable (like in DVI) is a unidirectional stream that flows continuously, without any pauses to check and correct transmission errors. The stream just flows to the receiver, and it flows very quickly, regardless of what comes out there at the end.

A cross-sectional HDMI cable looks quite intimidating, but do not forget that, in addition to the video signal, there is also sound, plus it has now become fashionable to pass it through HDMI Ethernet (up to 100 Mbps in version 1.4). Nevertheless, the wire remains wire, and even in a very "stuffed" cable there is simply nothing to cost more than a few hundred rubles

In addition, HDMI cables do not run signals in series, but in parallel. Three color signals travel along three pairs of wires, and a synchronization clock signal goes along the fourth pair. For high-quality image transmission, these signals should in no case fall out of synchronicity with each other and with the clock frequency. With short transmission lengths, this is relatively easy to achieve, but with an increase in cable length and very high signal frequencies, it becomes extremely difficult to achieve such synchronization.

In other words, here, too, inevitable hindrances and failures appear. However, an important circumstance that should be noted is that interference in digital and analog cables is essentially different things in terms of their external result. A damaged digital signal can be easily identified at first glance even by the most inexperienced viewer - by the appearance of characteristic artifacts (colored stripes, squares) on the screen, or simply by the scattering of the picture. We can say that here it is not at all about whether the picture is better or worse, and the cable works as it should, or not.

By the way, even the Bible says about such a binary approach: “But let your word be: yes, yes; no no; and anything beyond this is from the evil one ”(Matthew 5:37). One will involuntarily ponder - from what root audiophile passions grow ...

The IT-technology industry does not stand still, but on the contrary, it is developing dynamically. New devices and devices appear almost every day that greatly simplify the performance of everyday tasks. Particular attention should be paid to the synchronization of television equipment and computer technology.

To connect a laptop or PC to a TV, it is often the HDMI interface that is used. This TV cable is vastly superior to other available cords such as VGA or tulips.

Despite the fact that this method of synchronizing a laptop and a TV has been used for a long time, few people know according to what criteria an HDMI cable is chosen. In fact, it is extremely easy to get confused and make mistakes. Especially if you have no idea what is the meaning behind this abbreviation in English.

High Definition Multimedia Interface or HDMI is a multimedia interface that provides the highest quality video content and multi-channel digital audio signals.

The terminology is, of course, good, but let's figure it out on our fingers why HDMI is better than conventional tulips. The fact is that using the old interfaces, you will not be able to broadcast the image with the maximum quality to the TV screen. Therefore, to watch movies in Full HD, HDMI should be used, and not any other cable.

If you compare this interface with DVI, then it will also be more advantageous. First, it is compact. Secondly, it is equipped with protection against information copying.

We were convinced of the relevance of the cord, but how to choose it? Let's consider the main criteria:

• version;
• price;
• length;
• thickness;
• material.

In the future, we will consider these criteria in detail and give specific recommendations for choosing a wire, and now we will analyze the areas of use of the cord.

Where are HDMI cables used

The purpose of the interface is to deliver high quality content. Mostly with the help of this cord, laptops and TVs are connected, but you can also use it to connect a smartphone, tablet and other devices.

Bandwidth - 18 Gbps. This protocol was created in 2002 and has been actively used. An HDMI cable delivers high-quality picture and clear sound from your computer to your TV. The interface is unique in that it replaces 5-6 cords at once.

What does the wire look like? In appearance, it is not much different from its counterparts. Modern models are available in a fabric cover. Their advantage is that they better resist mechanical damage.

Let's list the main functionality:

• image transmission in Full HD resolution;
• pure sound;
• copy protection;
• conclusion to big screen Pictures;
• connection of game consoles;
• watching movies, TV series, TV shows;
• playback of content from Blu-ray players.

If the laptop is connected to the Internet, then you can watch your favorite movies or TV series online. How does the cable work? Elementary, it is enough to connect one end of the wire to the laptop, and the other to the TV. Then we select the appropriate signal source. After that, the desktop will be displayed on the monitor.

Types and versions

Several well-known companies worked on the creation of the interface at once: Thomson, Sony, Philips, Hitachi and others. As a result, the new standard was officially announced in 2002. For over 15 years, HDMI has dominated the digital technology industry. The developers do not stop there, constantly improving the cable.

Check the specification to determine the HDMI version. Let's briefly consider the distinctive features of all existing versions:

• Version 1.0 appeared in 2002. Maximum throughput 4.9 Gbps.
• Modification 1.1 appeared two years later. The developers have managed to improve the audio processing for DVD-Audio playback.
• In 2005, the interface underwent major changes. Release 1.2 included a wide range of innovations:
  • 1-bit audio support.
  • Using a uniform color space.
  • Interaction with low-voltage signal sources has been established.
  • Added remote control protocol.
• 1.3 - 2006. The sync frequency has been increased to 340 MHz. The interface began to support deep color, the color rendition was improved to the xvYCC standard.
• 1.4 - Added support for 4K content playback.
• Latest version 2.0. The developers have increased the resolution to 3840x2160 pixels. Supports up to 32 audio channels.

CABLE HDMI 2.0 4K 3D UHD

We figured out the versions, this factor must be taken into account when choosing a cable. After all, if you buy a cord for playing 4K video, but it will be the first version, then nothing will come of it.

Now let's talk about the types of HDMI cables, there are also a lot of them. There are 5 types of high speed cord specified in the specification. Consider all the varieties and their specific features.

Standard

Standard View supports 1080i (Full HD) or 720p (HD) video content. It is used to connect all kinds of home appliances with minor parameters: DVD, satellite receiver, plasma, LCD and LED screens.

it a budget option designed for home appliances. Suitable for users who are undemanding to high quality picture and sound. Specifications:

• The maximum bandwidth is 4.9 Gbps.
• Video transmission frequency - 165 megapixels.
• The color depth is 24 bits.

That's all the average user needs to know.

High speed

The high speed type supports almost all video formats, including 3D and Deep Color. Specifications:

• The maximum bandwidth is 10.2 Gbps.
• Video stream transmission frequency - 1080 Mpixels.
• The color depth is 48 bits.

Audio return channel support has been implemented, as a result of which the highest quality audio transmission is provided without the use of additional cords. Naturally, this technology must be present in the connected devices (home theater or ordinary TV). Transmits a video signal with a resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels.

Standard with Ethernet

Standard + Internet is absolutely no different from the first type of cable, except that it is equipped with an additional channel for transmitting Internet data at speeds up to 100 Mbps. The function will be available only if the connected device supports Ethernet technology HDMI.

This type of connection allows you to establish a high-speed Internet connection and distribute the received data to other devices connected via HDMI. Support for Audio Return Channel is also implemented.

High Speed ​​with Ethernet

By and large, this is an improved version of the previous type. As for the specifications, they correspond to the parameters of version 1.4. A universal cable that is suitable for receiving and broadcasting content with an Internet connection.

Automotive Standard

A special view that allows you to connect external HDMI devices to car media systems. Experts use this cable when installing an audio system in a car.

HDMI cable connectors

Earlier it was determined that the most progressive type is High Speed ​​with Ethernet cable in specification 1.4, and now we will talk about connector modifications. Absolutely all types of HDMI are designated by Latin letters. Consider the popular connectors:

• A - standard interface, it is with such a connector that manufacturers often equip digital equipment. Suitable for connecting TVs.
• C (micro) and D (mini) are smaller HDMI connectors. Used when connecting smartphones, cameras, laptops, tablets and other portable devices.
• B - connector has an extended video channel for broadcasting content with a resolution of more than 1080p. Less popular than the previously listed types.
• E - equipped with a special lock that securely fixes the connector to the port at the time of connecting the device. Used in cars when connecting audio systems.

How to choose the right connector? Consider the connection specifics, the connector size of the connector, and the goal that you set for yourself. For example, Type A is suitable for TVs, and C or D for smartphones.

HDMI cable length and thickness

Surely many users are wondering what length of HDMI cable is better to buy? According to regulatory documents, the maximum wire length is 10 meters. There is no such information in the specifications, but often this parameter varies from 75 centimeters to 10 meters.

It is possible that you will be able to find a longer wire. However, it is absolutely not necessary to buy a cord, which is called "with a margin". Dimensions that do not meet the regulated standards can later become a catalyst for the appearance of problems during operation. For example, fading or distortion will appear - all this will negatively affect the quality of the broadcast picture.

The transmission quality depends not only on the size, but also on the material from which the cord is made. For testing, let's take the standard view of version 1.4. These cables are often constructed using 24 AWG oxygen-free copper. As for the High Speed ​​look, it is made from the same material, but 4 AWG thicker. This comparison clearly demonstrates that the quality of the material and its thickness directly affect the functionality and service life of the conductor.

It should be emphasized: if a standard cable is really made of high-quality material, then it will provide signal transmission up to 15 meters. If the length of the cord is more than 15 meters, and after connecting with the naked eye, a loss of picture quality is noticeable, then be sure to use special signal amplifiers.

The high-definition interface must convey absolutely all data to the receiver without any distortion. Many manufacturers note that wires created on the basis of expensive metals demonstrate the highest information transfer rate in the absence of interference and failures.

It should be borne in mind that the use of expensive metals directly affects the cost of the wire. Accordingly, when choosing a cable, take into account the tasks that you set for it. For example, to transfer data from a tuner or satellite receiver the most common cord is suitable, since the information flow is not great. More expensive models are required to view 3D content.

Expensive or cheap

As noted, the standards are clearly defined. Consequently, the cable will either provide information transfer or not. Which HDMI cable is the best for you? German gamers conducted an interesting experiment regarding the influence of the cost of the wire on its work. They purchased many different models from popular and unknown manufacturers.

Fans of video games connected a game console to the monitor and displayed the same images. In the future, the screenshots were compared. For maximum accuracy, we compared checksums... These indicators coincided by 100%.

It would seem that the cost of choice does not affect the choice of HDMI cable, but this experiment absolutely does not take into account the transmission of sound. Therefore, the experiment was repeated. No difference was found again. Therefore, it is not necessary to overpay for the cable.

Note.