HDMI Cable: Home Theater's Super Hero
Friday, 18 December 2009 10:32 | 
Written by Zeeman Haus |
What is an HDMI cable? In the simplest of terms, the HDMI cable is your best friend. In technical terms, it is a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable. You initial reaction may be, "So?"-but we're out to change that attitude. For starters HDMI cables can connect virtually every piece of media out there to a monitor. So even if you eliminate the set of cables from your DVD player to your TV alone, you've just condensed 5 cables down to one. Does that grab your attention? Read on.
What is an HDMI cable? In the simplest of terms, the HDMI cable is your best friend. In technical terms, it is a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable. You initial reaction may be, "So?"-but we're out to change that attitude. For starters HDMI cables can connect virtually every piece of media out there to a monitor. So even if you eliminate the set of cables from your DVD player to your TV alone, you've just condensed 5 cables down to one. Does that grab your attention? Read on.
So why would you want to go through all of the headache to figure out what cables can be replaced by an HDMI cable? Take a look behind your cool, homemade home theater, Mr. Messy Marvin. If you are like 99% of the other non-HDMI users, you have a ball of cables and cords that would make an obsessive compulsive faint. It's time you cleaned up your act, Mister!
First things first, though. Make a list of all the devices you have connected to your TV. Now go through and check the back of every device for an HDMI output. They should be labeled, but if they aren't, then it's suggested that you buy an HDMI cable and physically check to make sure you have an output.
You no doubt will have noticed that there is only one HDMI input on the back of your TV. I'm sure this has left you wondering what exactly you've gotten into. Relax, they make hubs: a nice little way to combine all your devices and put them into your TV. Well, not literally INTO your TV, that's something definitely not recommended by the manufacturer. Instead of allowing the consumer to get frustrated and throw their hands up in the air, the electronics industry has seen it in their hearts to invent a solution for this problem. What they have come up with is an HDMI hub. Simply put, the hub is a way to "splice" all of your equipment together and allow you to use that one port on your TV for several different devices, just not all at once.
HDMI hubs can connect 2 or more sources to one, or even multiple, TVs or monitors. For example a 3x1 hub will connect three input devices to one TV. While a 4x2 will connect four input devices to two separate monitors or TVs. Hubs come in different configurations to accommodate any home theater set up. Some hubs are even able to be linked together to allow for expansion. Though checking the manufacturer's handbook is recommended. The price range is between $30 and $1,200. There are some mid-priced hubs that will even automatically change devices for you eliminating the need for a remote control or the need for you to leave your easy chair.
HDMI cables come with the same configuration but vary in price substantially. The price difference can range between $8 and $100 per cable. Nearly all are gold plated, but don't take that for granted. There are a couple of factors to consider: distance from device to monitor and how many devices you are connecting to your hub. If you are connecting more than two devices to a hub or have a lot of electric cords in the vicinity, you might want to consider HDMI cables with thicker shielding. This will prevent "cable noise". Something you do not hear, but will effect your audio and video quality. Distance is the other factor. The signal that is transmitted through the HDMI cable is generally only viable for 50". If your device or origin is longer than that, you should consider buying a signal repeater or moving the source closer to the monitor.
Though HDMI is rapidly becoming the standard, there are actually different connector types that have been introduced over the last seven years or so. If you have an older DVD player with an earlier type, don't fret; adapters are cheap and work just fine. There are also different versions of HDMI cables. The latest is 1.4 which will support virtually everything in your home, including computer video cards. It should also be noted that DVI and HDMI, while not the same thing, are compatible with an adapter.
The advantages of HDMI cables are obvious: condensing down your cable mess, cleaning up your signal, and allowing room for future expansion. Really, if building a car were this easy, we'd all be driving Ferraris. You can spend one afternoon redoing your cabling one time or spend a lifetime with a jumbled mess of cable literally hanging around. You'd better make up your mind quick though, because I think you just caught a dachshund back there.
What is an HDMI cable? In the simplest of terms, the HDMI cable is your best friend. In technical terms, it is a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable. You initial reaction may be, "So?"-but we're out to change that attitude. For starters HDMI cables can connect virtually every piece of media out there to a monitor. So even if you eliminate the set of cables from your DVD player to your TV alone, you've just condensed 5 cables down to one. Does that grab your attention? Read on.
So why would you want to go through all of the headache to figure out what cables can be replaced by an HDMI cable? Take a look behind your cool, homemade home theater, Mr. Messy Marvin. If you are like 99% of the other non-HDMI users, you have a ball of cables and cords that would make an obsessive compulsive faint. It's time you cleaned up your act, Mister!
First things first, though. Make a list of all the devices you have connected to your TV. Now go through and check the back of every device for an HDMI output. They should be labeled, but if they aren't, then it's suggested that you buy an HDMI cable and physically check to make sure you have an output.
You no doubt will have noticed that there is only one HDMI input on the back of your TV. I'm sure this has left you wondering what exactly you've gotten into. Relax, they make hubs: a nice little way to combine all your devices and put them into your TV. Well, not literally INTO your TV, that's something definitely not recommended by the manufacturer. Instead of allowing the consumer to get frustrated and throw their hands up in the air, the electronics industry has seen it in their hearts to invent a solution for this problem. What they have come up with is an HDMI hub. Simply put, the hub is a way to "splice" all of your equipment together and allow you to use that one port on your TV for several different devices, just not all at once.
HDMI hubs can connect 2 or more sources to one, or even multiple, TVs or monitors. For example a 3x1 hub will connect three input devices to one TV. While a 4x2 will connect four input devices to two separate monitors or TVs. Hubs come in different configurations to accommodate any home theater set up. Some hubs are even able to be linked together to allow for expansion. Though checking the manufacturer's handbook is recommended. The price range is between $30 and $1,200. There are some mid-priced hubs that will even automatically change devices for you eliminating the need for a remote control or the need for you to leave your easy chair.
HDMI cables come with the same configuration but vary in price substantially. The price difference can range between $8 and $100 per cable. Nearly all are gold plated, but don't take that for granted. There are a couple of factors to consider: distance from device to monitor and how many devices you are connecting to your hub. If you are connecting more than two devices to a hub or have a lot of electric cords in the vicinity, you might want to consider HDMI cables with thicker shielding. This will prevent "cable noise". Something you do not hear, but will effect your audio and video quality. Distance is the other factor. The signal that is transmitted through the HDMI cable is generally only viable for 50". If your device or origin is longer than that, you should consider buying a signal repeater or moving the source closer to the monitor.
Though HDMI is rapidly becoming the standard, there are actually different connector types that have been introduced over the last seven years or so. If you have an older DVD player with an earlier type, don't fret; adapters are cheap and work just fine. There are also different versions of HDMI cables. The latest is 1.4 which will support virtually everything in your home, including computer video cards. It should also be noted that DVI and HDMI, while not the same thing, are compatible with an adapter.
The advantages of HDMI cables are obvious: condensing down your cable mess, cleaning up your signal, and allowing room for future expansion. Really, if building a car were this easy, we'd all be driving Ferraris. You can spend one afternoon redoing your cabling one time or spend a lifetime with a jumbled mess of cable literally hanging around. You'd better make up your mind quick though, because I think you just caught a dachshund back there.
About the Author:
Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on HDMI Review which discusses how you can get low prices on HDMI Cables, Splitters, Extenders, Boxes, and Adaptors.