Home Theater 101: HDMI Cables (Explanations & Recommendations)

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Home Theater 101: HDMI Cables (Explanations & Recommendations) | Updated: April 2022 | written by u/Bill_Money | edited & maintained by: u/htmod

What is HDMI?

HDMI - High-Definition Multimedia Interface

HDMI is a single use cable to carry Audio & Video

Not all HDMI cables are made the same. No this is not a marketing technique for me to sell you a stupid expensive cable its to explain the difference & tell you what you need without going crazy. All HDMI Cables Are NOT The Same! - Techquickie

I get asked all the time: DO I need new HDMI cables? The short answer is maybe.

HDMI Cable Versions

HDMI Cable versions are defined by their BANDWIDTH!

For 4K TV's you want to have at least a HDMI Premium Certified High Speed rated cable. Anything that says HDMI 1.3 or Standard Speed should be replaced as those are 10.2 Gbps. Some High Speed HDMI cables are also only 10.2 Gbps. Premium High Speed rated cables are certified for 18.2 Gbps for 4K & HDR.

HDMI 2.1 however will require new cables as the bandwidth will be 48 Gbps instead of 18. Those cables will be known as Ultra High Speed. HDMI 2.1 will support up to 120hz and up to 10K. HDMI.org - Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cable

Just bare in mind that not all TV's that claim HDMI 2.1 will fully support HDMI 2.1. For them to slap a HDMI 2.1 logo or advertisement on their box or specifications they only have to support some features of HDMI 2.1. Please make sure your cable is CERTIFIED - HDMI Forum debuts mandatory certification of cables for HDMI 2.1

In Wall Rating

If you are planning on running HDMI cable(s) in the wall, they must be in wall rated. Yes then your cables need to be CL2 or CL3 in wall rated.

A VW-1 rating means it is flame retardant but it is not UL rated for in wall use.

Check the jacket of your cable to make sure it meets this requirement. If you are not running them in wall then the in wall rating will not matter.

For commercial environments you must use a Plenum rated cable.

Running HDMI over a Long Distance

Now for distances over 15 feet ARC will be even worse in the hit or miss category.

Copped HDMI cables over 25 feet can start having issues with 4K & HDR content. At that point I do not recommend buying a copper HDMI cable. I recommend either buying a HDMI over Fiber cable (AOC) or using HDMI Extenders (commonly mis-referred to as HDMI baluns), which use Ethernet run(s) as the cable then convert it to HDMI on both ends.

Wireless HDMI

Just Don't. Its a very poorly implemented technology that will lead to far more frustration then it is worth. Even point to point in the same room I have seen it not work. Its too hit or miss to be worth it. Plug a HDMI cable of some sorts in.

HDMI Cable Recommendations

Monster cables get referenced a lot and no you do not need to buy Monster cables.

Audioquest is also referenced frequently. As a custom integrator I do like Audioquest cables as they have flexible heads that are harder to break when running the cable in wall compared to some more rigid cables. The cheaper Pearl cables are fine but no reason to go much more then that. Anything past that is snake oil.

The cheapo $1 HDMI cables are also junk most fail. I'm not saying you need to got spend $30 on a HDMI cable but you should probably be spending at minimum $5 or more on a 6 foot HDMI cable. You also want to avoid cables that say HDMI 2.0 or have any HDMI rating on them what so ever. A HDMI 1.4 a HDMI 2.0, etc. cable does NOT exist. There is Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed & Ultra High Speed Cables ONLY.