subject: Hdmi Leads - Getting The Best Picture [print this page] There's plenty said these days concerning high definition video and gaming, with more than a few televisions promising the best picture and sound quality possible. And while choosing the right TV and high definition players is important, one thing that has a major impact on your picture quality but is often an afterthought are the HDMI leads you use to connect your TV to the Blu-Ray player, gaming system, or HD television system you've just invested so much money into. You may think it's just a cable and buy one without paying much attention to anything aside from price, but in truth you should be just as careful selecting your cable as you were buying your TV.
Your HDMI cable is responsible for carrying the sound, video, and additional signals to their destination. That's why it's important that you buy the right length. A long HDMI cable will not only cost you more money, but also cause signal degradation since the further the signal has to travel, the more it will deteriorate. Don't just buy a long cable 'just in case' - find out how much cable is enough for you and buy accordingly. Your picture quality will be affected, and so will your wallet.
The next thing to look at for getting the best picture is simply whether or not you need a category one or category two HDMI cable. Look at the specs for your equipment for a clue - the higher resolutions will likely need a category two cable in order to deliver the absolute best video quality. And higher quality construction - mainly a 24 AWG cable instead of the 28 AWG ones - will ensure that your cable lasts much longer than normal. The signal quality will probably only improve in nearly imperceptible ways, but the longer lifespan and higher durability will be worth it.
Keep in mind that better doesn't always mean more expensive. Budget cables can often deliver picture quality that is comparable to a much more expensive cable, so take the time to read descriptions of their capabilities and even check out some consumer reviews in order to narrow down your selection. Just take a look at the length, construction, and price of the different cables and you should be able to find the best HDMI cable for your price range and your budget. Buying the right one will ensure your movie night is impressive as it possibly can be.
