Have you heard of HDMI cables? Even if you have, you may not know what it stands for, or why these cables are so important. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are absolutely necessary for audio and visual transfer of compressed and uncompressed files. Because these cables are out of most people’s general knowledge, it can be helpful to have a breakdown of what cables do what jobs, as well as the myths that have popped up about their usage.
So, You Want to Know How HDMI Cables Work.
When you want to transfer audio and/or visuals between two consoles, you need one of these cables. A console could be your T.V. and a gaming system; or the T.V. and the DVD player; or between your phone and your laptop. The connective plug that “hooks” one console to another is called an RJ45 plug. These little plugs can take a lot of abuse before giving out, some experts insisting at least 1000 insertions if not 2000.
Is There a Real Difference Between a Cat5 Cables and Cat6 Cables?
Yes, there is a difference. But, it is not a disaster situation if you use one for the other. To put it simply, a Cat6 HDMI cable is a fancier version of the Cat5. A Cat6 is one of the highspeed HDMI cables that provide a faster, crispier image and clearer sound quality. The downside to this speed is that these cables can be slightly more difficult to install, especially for novices.
On the other side you have the Cat5. These HDMI cables are considered the workhorses, in that they are simple to install and are reliable. They are also known for lasting at least five years, with the most well-constructed cables holding up after about 10 years of regular use.
Length Is No Indicator of Sound or Visual Quality.
There is a myth that a shorter cable will provide a clearer picture, or a crisper sound. It’s not true for residential use. If you need a cable that can connect to the next city over, then of course it is better to use HDMI cables that are meant for distances over perhaps 100 ft. It actually comes down to the strength of the HDMI cables themselves, as you definitely do not want the cords to be damaged. It would take quite a bit of time to find the weak spot in a 100 ft HDMI cable.
So that is the basic knowledge of HDMI cables that the average person may need to know. You may not feel up to par discussing the finer points of RJ45 plugs with your office’s IT department, but you can feel confident when walking into your local electronics store and requesting a new Cat5 cable.
