subject: Making The Most Of An Hdmi Cable And Hd Tv [print this page] HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are used to connect televisions to devices such as Sky and Freeview boxes, games consoles and computers. They are the digital version of SCART and co-axial cables and are vital for anyone with a High-Definition television and external devices. HDMI cables send the signal from the box to the television digitally, meaning less interference and better picture and sound quality.
The development of HDMI cables
As digital technology has advanced so too have HDMI cables, with standards developing over the years.
The earliest Version 1.0 leads were made to connect DVD players to televisions and were followed by cables for computers and different audio and visual formats. Later updates required testing to ensure they met compliance specifications so these should be checked for before buying an HDMI cable.
Version 1.3 cables offer greater speeds of up to 10.2Gbps and better colour depths. They are also compatible with smaller portable devices such as cameras and camcorders, so photos and videos can be screened directly through an HD TV, and support the new lossless audio formats.
The latest HDMI cables are Version 1.4 and feature Ethernet capabilities, which allow internet connection sharing with other devices, and can send TV signals to a home cinema receiver.
Choosing an HDMI cable
There are many HDMI cables to choose from and while they will all do the same job there is debate over the benefits of more expensive ones.
The materials used within the leads can vary, and although the digital signals will not be compromised as easily as analogue information, better quality copper wiring can give improved signal purity.
More expensive HDMI cables can be beneficial for those with complex home cinema systems or who need to run cables over more than a metre as they maintain a better quality when transmitting the signal.
User benefits of HDMI cables
HDMI cables are vital for anyone with an HD TV and any type of playback device, be it a Sky HD box or the latest games console.
Viewers will see better picture quality as billions of colours can be displayed, the contract ratio is increased so greys and blacks are more defined and banding lines are eliminated.
Sound too is improved and with a surround sound system the audio performance is outstanding.
Furthermore, HDMI cables are easy to use and do away with the maze of leads in the back of the TV. They will require some set-up on first use to ensure the best quality possible is achieved but this can be done by following the TV menu options.
HDMI cables have not only changed the way we watch TV, but also opened up a world of possibilities for other media and are set to become even more advanced in coming years.
