Which HDMI cable is right for my TV?

We’re sure this question has crossed your mind as you’re browsing the racks in an audio video store or shopping online for HDMI cables. At our Pro AV store in Burbank, we get that question a lot, so in this post we’re going to explore all the different HDMI cable types available in the market today and how to pick the right one for you.

Here are four quick questions you need to ask yourself to narrow down your HDMI cable choices and eliminate the cable types you don’t need:

1. Where is the HDMI cable going to be used? If you’re using the cable for automotive, 3D use or with some special equipment, you’ll need something more than a standard HDMI cable, right off the bat.
2. Ethernet? Your installation instructions should tell you whether you need Ethernet capability in the cable. If you don’t than although this type of HDMI cable will work fine, you’ll end up spending more on a functionality you don’t really need.
3. Cable length? This is something you need to decide on based on your unique installation requirements.
4. Connector type? You’ll need to check the equipment you need to connect as they both might use different HDMI connectors – this is especially true in the case of connecting a portable device to a stand-alone one.

Now that you’ve got a few cables eliminated, let’s take a look at the different HDMI cable types out there:

• Standard HDMI Cable – This is the standard cable for most home theatre and home use applications and can transmit 1080i or 720p high definition (HD) video resolutions which are currently the norm with most cable and satellite television, digital broadcast HD, and DVD players.
• Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – Offering the same performance and 720p or 1080i video resolution as the standard HDMI cable, this cable has an additional, dedicated data channel, known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC), for device networking. This will only work if both the source and connected device are equipped with HEC functionality.
• High Speed HDMI Cable – Own a blu-ray disc player or bought a new TV with advanced display technologies, such as 3D or 4K? This is the cable you need. The High Speed HDMI cable is designed to support resolutions of 1080p and beyond. If you want to future-proof your system and don’t know if you will need added functionality later on, this cable is a safe bet.We recommend:Vanco HDFIBER150 Slim High Speed HDMI® Active Fiber Optical Cable (150FT)Vanco HDFIBER250 Slim High Speed HDMI® Active Fiber Optical Cable (250FT)

  Vanco 244306 High Speed HDMI Micro Cable – 6 Feet – Connect with your smartphone!

• High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – Similar to the standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, this cable offers the same performance and 1080p plus resolution as the High Speed HDMI cable and has an additional, dedicated data channel, known as the HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC), for device networking. This will only work if both the source and connected device are equipped with HEC functionality. The feature eliminates the use of an Ethernet cable and allows internet-enabled HDMI devices to share an internet connection via the HDMI link.We recommend:
  
  Vanco 233201X Super Flex Flat HDMI® High Speed Male to Female Cable with Ethernet (1 FT)Vanco 233216X Super Flex Flat HDMI® High Speed Male to Female Cable with Ethernet (6 IN)
  
  Vanco SSHD10 Ultra Slim HDMI® High Speed Cable with Ethernet (10 FT)
  
• Automotive HDMI Cable – Designed specifically for use in vehicles that have vibration and temperature extremes, this type of HDMI cable is used for HD video systems in automobiles.

Here’s a quick video to explain the major difference between a high-speed and standard HDMI cable.

Still confused? That’s why we’re here! We’ll be glad to help you pick out the right HDMI cable for your needs. Our in-store reps are happy to get on the phone with you and help you out. Simply call 800.634.9476 or shop online on our website 24/7!

Looking for other HDMI products? Read our last post about HDMI Splitters & Switches or click to Shop HDMI products.