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HDMI Cables

HDMI Cable Basics

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, desktops, Apple TV, media players, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, set top boxes and streaming devices.

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.

Choosing the Right HDMI Cable

Your choice of cable will depend on the HDMI devices you have – they need to be compatible with the features you want.

For instance, if you want 1080p video resolution, both your TV and source device, such as a DVD player or set-top box, must be capable of 1080p displays. If your TV is capable of 1080p resolution but the source device is only capable of 720p, your TV will display 720p video even if you have a high speed HDMI cable.

High speed HDMI cables will support all current 4K Ultra HD formats and advanced features such as HDR.

For a HDMI cable that has been rigorously tested and certified under the Premium HDMI Certification Program, choose a premium high speed cable.

Is HDMI the same as DisplayPort, DVI and VGA?

HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI are all digital connections while VGA is an analog connection.