HDMI: Difference in cable types

[StarsFan4Life]

Ok. I was on monoprice.com looking for a HDMI mini to HDMI regular cable. Easy enough to find. However, I started noticing the different cable types:

HDMI 1.0
HDMI 1.1
HDMI 1.2
HDMI 1.2a
HDMI 1.3
HDMI 1.3a
HDMI 1.3b
HDMI 1.3b1

Now, with that said, I just purchased a Canon HF100 HD 1080P camcorder. I am looking for the best cable between that camcorder and my Samsung HL50A650 50" 1080P HDTV. (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...cp=1&id=1202649765525)

I also own a Playstation 3 and a DirecTV H-21 HD receiver. What is the best cable standard that I can use for all of this? Do the different standards really matter?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I would go for anything certified as 1.3 since that's the latest revision. More info on specs can be found here:

http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/faq.aspx

 

[erwos]

Interestingly, I would actually recommend that you go for an HDMI 1.3b1 cable, if only because the testing standards have been tightened up significantly.

That said, I would also _not_ pay more than a very small price premium for one (5-10%) versus a normal HDMI 1.3 cable.

 

[Baked]

HDMI 1.3a from monoprice.com!

Ps. Wikipedia is your friend.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Monster cables of course.

 

[CubanlB]

Any cable that fits? (some cam's require and hdmi a-c cable) It's not like you camcorder is going to stress the maximum bandwidth of any of the hdmi rev's spec's.

Also, just because a new hdmi revision comes out does not mean that an older cable that was made prior to the new revision will not work with the newest hdmi revision. As long as the cable has all the pins needed for the new spec it will function just fine.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: CubanlB
Any cable that fits? (some cam's require and hdmi a-c cable) It's not like you camcorder is going to stress the maximum bandwidth of any of the hdmi rev's spec's.

Also, just because a new hdmi revision comes out does not mean that an older cable that was made prior to the new revision will not work with the newest hdmi revision. As long as the cable has all the pins needed for the new spec it will function just fine.

Not true at all. The cable has a maximum reliable/guaranteed bandwidth for it's length (and other electrical characteristics). That's actually where this certified stuff is a GREAT idea - it's certified/tested to perform the task it needs to, just like all other forms of digital communication. With the quality of HD cameras out these days it's not surprising that you'd need to use more bandwidth for whatever video they need to output.

I'm not saying it needs to be expensive, just have the correct properties for it's intended purpose (high bandwidth video, if that's what is required). Just having pins in the right place isn't enough. The construction of the cable, connector come into play.

-edit-
Not to mention the added features of 1.3 which apparently introduced the c - connector (wikipedia link earlier).

 

[CubanlB]

In my experience, which is a fair, you have to go out of your way to find an hdmi that is shorter than 6ft and will not pass anything you throw at it. Maybe, MAYBE, a really cheap cable won?t pass 1080p60 with xvYCC or any bit depth for color, a lossless audio stream, and a second audio steam from a blu ray. A camcorder isn't going to come close to this amount of bandwidth. If anything most issues with hdmi would be the fault of the manufacture of the component not being to spec and not the cable. An issue with some Mitsubishi TVs and pansonic BluRay players comes to mind.

Yes you are correct that you should use an hdmi approved cable, but thinking that this certification is absolutely necessary for short cables is a stretch.

 

[spidey07]

I just think it's a fabulous idea that standards are being made with appropriate tests for cable and connector to guarantee performance. With digital it's not a "either works or doesn't" thing, more of a "if these tests are followed and cables are up to specification then it will work as designed". Provided of course the transmitter and receiver follow the same specifications.

 

[CubanlB]

Agreed, but most of the time issues that arise from HDMI are the fault of the display device or source device, not the cable. Under a certain length of cable.