HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) cables are used to set up home theatre equipment and connect TVs, monitors and projectors to devices such as laptops, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, set top boxes and mobile phones.
These cables transmit both video and audio signals, so you no longer need separate cables for sound and visuals, cutting down on clutter.
HDMI ports are usually located on the back or side of your devices. You may have multiple ports, which are clearly labelled for your convenience: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc, or Input 1, Input 2, etc. If you have more devices than ports, you can buy a stand-alone HDMI switch to add the necessary number of devices.
To connect the TV to your devices, simply run the HDMI cable from your TV’s HDMI input to the device’s HDMI output.
You may notice product descriptions mentioning ‘female’ and ‘male’. The word ‘female’ refers to the HDMI ports, while ‘male’ refers to the connector plugs on the cable.
Types of HDMI Cables
There are standard and high-speed HDMI cables available.
Standard
Supports 720p or 1080i video resolutions and suitable for most home applications. This is ideal for standard TVs and DVDs that do not display higher than 1080i.
View standard HDMI cables
Standard with Ethernet
Same capabilities as standard HDMI, but also has a dedicated data channel for device networking, allowing you to connect your devices to the internet without needing a separate ethernet cable. This feature only works if both connected devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.
High speed
Accommodates 1080p and higher video resolutions, and for advanced technologies such as 4K and 3D. This is ideal for HDTVs and Blu-ray discs with 1080p resolution or higher.
View high speed HDMI cables
High speed with Ethernet
Same capabilities as high-speed HDMI, but also has a dedicated data channel for device networking, allowing you to connect your devices to the internet without needing a separate ethernet cable. This feature only works if both connected devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.
View high speed HDMI cables with ethernetMini & Micro HDMI Cables
Along with regular HDMI cables, you’ll also find mini and micro HDMI cables available. All these cables have 19 pins.
Regular HDMI Cables
Also known as Type A, regular HDMI cables are used for home theatre equipment and TV/monitor connections. These cables measure 14 x 4.55mm.
View regular HDMI cables
Mini HDMI Cables
These cables, also known as Type C, are used for devices such as DSLR cameras, laptops and standard-sized tablets. They measure 10.42 x 2.42mm.
View mini HDMI cables
Micro HDMI Cables
Also called Type D, these cables are the smallest of all and are used for smaller devices such as smartphones and smaller tablets. They measure 6.4 x 2.8mm.
View micro HDMI cablesIs HDMI the same as DisplayPort, DVI and VGA?
HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI are all digital connections while VGA is an analog connection.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort was originally developed to connect computers to monitors, but is now available on other devices such as laptops, tablets and digital TVs. It’s a newer standard than HDMI, capable of a higher refresh rate and a more stable AV connection. DisplayPort is not as ubiquitous as HDMI, but can be found on Apple’s iMacs and MacBooks as well as Microsoft’s Surface Pro. You can connect HDMI devices to DisplayPort connections using an adapter.
DVI
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) carries video signals only, not audio, unless it’s connected with a DVI to HDMI cable or adapter. DVI is not capable of 4K resolution, and is declining in use. If you have a device with a DVI connection, you can connect it to HDMI connections using an adapter.
VGA
VGA (Visual Graphics Array) is a video-only connection used in older laptops, projectors and displays. It’s rarely seen on TVs now, but is still useful if you have legacy systems or equipment. You can use an adapter to connect HDMI devices with a VGA connector.