Which HDMI cable to buy? You have to know that
With HDMI cables you have the choice between different types at different prices. We'll tell you which HDMI cable you really need in this practical tip.
Buy HDMI cable: which is the right one?
- In the past, there were names like HDMI 1.3 or 1.4 on the cables. In the meantime, the two standards "HDMI Standard" and "HDMI High-Speed" have been agreed.
- HDMI standard is completely sufficient for normal use. If your TV and the material to be played support additional functions such as 3D, HD audio, deep color or 4K, a cable with the name "HDMI High-Speed" is worthwhile
- In practice, however, these cables are not always suitable for the transmission of 4K content. If you want to be on the safe side for 4K content, buy a product called "Premium High Speed HDMI".
Buy HDMI cables: you should pay attention to this
- No matter what the manufacturers tell you, cheap and expensive cables do not differ in picture quality. If the cable is faultless, the picture arrives perfectly, if there is a defect, the picture and sound fail completely.
- The biggest weak point of HDMI cables are the contacts. If you plug the cable in and out often, the contacts will wear out. If you use the cable rarely, or if it always gets stuck, you don't have to worry about wear and tear even with cheap cables.
- Few manufacturers reveal anything about the shielding of the cables. A cable with double to quadruple shielding is usually sufficient. If the cable is laid directly next to a power cable, poor shielding can lead to interference in the picture.
- Conclusion: For normal use, an inexpensive HDMI cable for a few euros is sufficient. More expensive cables are only required for 4K and 3D.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to extend an HDMI cable.