HDMI® is a digital audio and video connection system that uses specially designed cables to transmit uncompressed signals. It replaces analog cables and supports any TV or PC video format. There are two types of HDMI® cables, category one and category two, with category two being capable of carrying higher quality signals. Cable length is important, and signal loss can be resolved with HDMI® extenders, repeaters, or equalizers. The maximum possible length depends on the category of cable used.
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI®) is a connection system used with digital audio and video. An HDMI® cable is a specially designed cable that can transmit uncompressed digital video and audio simultaneously. This type of cable is used to connect digital input sources to digital televisions, receivers and computer monitors.
To view high-definition video, Blu-Ray and eight-channel digital audio, you need an HDMI® compatible TV, source and cable. An HDMI® cable replaces two analog cables, video and audio. HDMI supports any TV or PC video format, from standard to high definition.
The first HDMI® product was developed in 2002 to meet the requirements of a higher quality digital audio and video system. The HDMI® specification has been adopted by a wide variety of computer, television and electronic device manufacturers. These standards were developed by an association of consumer electronics companies in collaboration with major film and music distribution companies.
Two different types of HDMI® cables, category one and category two, are available for purchase. The different categories only apply to HDMI® version 1.3 and higher, available in October 2008. These cables are also backwards compatible with HDMI®.
Category one HDMI® cables are labeled as standard cables and are ideal for carrying 720p or 1080i video and audio signals. Category two cables are also called High Speed HDMI® cables and are capable of carrying 720p, 1080i and 1600p audio and video signals. Only category two cables are guaranteed to work with a cable length greater than 16 feet (4.8 meters).
When selecting an HDMI® cable, the length of the cable is an important factor. Due to signal attenuation, there is a limit to the length of an HDMI® cable before performance is affected. If the cable is too long, the digital signal becomes too weak and the images on the screen flicker.
Problems with signal loss due to excessive cable length can be resolved by the use of HDMI® extenders, repeaters or equalizers. All of these devices can be used to connect HDMI® cables together. With the use of these connection devices, the cable length can be extended without any loss of signal strength.
The maximum possible length depends on the category of cable used. Category five and six cables are capable of increasing total cable length up to 164 feet (50 meters). If a fiber optic-based HDMI® extender is used, the total possible cable length increases to 328 feet (100 meters).
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