When it comes to HDMI cables, there is a lot of debate around whether or not it is worth spending extra money on something fancy. However, it is important to consider the correct materials used inside an HDMI cable, as it can make a big difference. In this article, we will discuss what actually matters when buying an HDMI cable.
Firstly, it is important to avoid cheaply made HDMI cables that sometimes use steel, which is not a good conductor. Instead, go for cables with pure copper wiring inside. Copper cables are not super expensive, and you do not need to get anything higher grade, such as silver-plated copper.
The thickness of the wiring inside the cable is measured by something called a gauge number. A lower number means a thicker wire. Your cable length should not exceed 1.5 meters with a thin 32 gauge wire. However, as you go thicker and thicker, you can safely have a longer and longer cable run without having to worry about signal attenuation or interference.
Another thing to consider is the connectors on the end of the cable. Gold plating is better as it will give you better longevity, as the gold is an effective barrier against wear and corrosion.
Once you have found a cable made with good materials, try and find out if it has been tested to work with a wide variety of equipment. Some cheaper cables are only tested with a couple of monitors, so they might not play nicely with your gadgets if you are running them in any kind of setup that is not super-straightforward, such as with an HDMI splitter.
Make sure you are buying a Premium High-Speed cable if you want 4k at 60 hertz or HDR. These have a speed of around 18 gigabits per second, as opposed to the 10 gigabits of the more standard high-speed cable.
In conclusion, generally speaking, shorter and thicker is better when it comes to HDMI cables. If you are looking to get the most out of HDMI 2.1, you probably do not want to get a cable longer than three meters.