You can think of bandwidth like a pipe. You need to be able to get a lot of "water" through the pipe with 4K and HDR content. A high speed cable needs to be "big" enough to handle it all. For lower resolutions, such as 1080p, the length can be longer, though 10 - 15 meters should be the maximum length to preserve image quality.

Ultimate Guide to the Best Flat HDMI Cables for 2022 - Nerd Techy Ultimate Guide to the Best Flat HDMI Cables for 2022 - Nerd Techy

If you want the very best HDMI cable that offers all the latest features, then the Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed is the cable to get. It supports HDMI 2.1, which offers 48Gbps video bandwidth, which means it can support up to 10K resolution, as well as HDR (High Dynamic Range) specifications like Dolby Vision and HDR 10. For HDMI connection terminals, the gold standard is gold plating. Apart from looking stylish, gold plated HDMI connectors are excellent at resisting corrosion, which is precisely what you want from the bits of metal responsible for carrying your data signals. Some environments are more at-risk of corrosion than others, but it rarely hurts to have the best. CL2 and CL3Not everybody needs 4K cables, 3D features, or nearly three dozen separate audio channels. HDMI 1.4 cables are still widely used, and are often a bit less expensive than their HDMI 2.0 counterparts. If you absolutely can’t bring your source and monitor closer together, you should consider using an “active” HDMI cable, which draws a little bit of power from the connected device to boost its signal and send it substantially further while maintaining quality. Active cables are a little more complicated to set up because they only draw power from one side. You’ll need to ensure it’s plugged in the right way before committing to a setup. They are also more expensive than other cables, given their length and the additional tech involved. In broad strokes, the build and material quality is much more important in a long HDMI cable than short. Over 15 feet there is a much higher chance that a mediocre cable won't work, or won't work at the resolution you want. This still doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune on a long cable, there are plenty of options for roughly the same price per-foot as the ones mentioned above. It does mean that no-name cables might be less likely to work. Only want to watch Netflix shows (such as The Crown) in 4K and nothing more? If the HDMI cable you’re using now provides a steady picture, you’re all set. When should you buy a new HDMI cable for your 4K TV? Belkin is also a trusted brand when it comes to cables, so you can rest assured that this cable will last a long time.

HDMI cables - Cheap HDMI cable Deals | Currys

Just connect your TV and media device using your existing cable. If you get a steady image with no artifacts, you’re good to go. No additional thinking is required. If you want to watch HDR content, play games at 60 or 120fps, use a TV as a monitor, etc. However, not everyone will need the kind of features HDMI 2.1 offers, in which case HDMI 2.0 will be fine for most people. What's the maximum length of a HDMI cable? With that in mind, we have some recommendations for inexpensive options that should work with any TV and source combination you have... as long as they connect with HDMI.

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Flat Hdmi Cables | CPC UK

These specs tie into the HDMI connection standards, which is why you might see some Category 3 cables listed as HDMI 2.0 cables and some Category 3 (8K) cables listed as HDMI 2.1. Basically, if you have a 4K console with an HDMI 2.0 output and a 4K HDR TV with an HDMI 2.0 input, then you’re going to need a Category 3 cable running between them, or you run the risk of only getting 4K at 30Hz. Why it made the cut: Among certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, Zeskit delivers top quality at an accessible price. If you’re using one of the more bandwidth-heavy formats, then you’re going to encounter possible issues with length. This is mostly true for cables that need to exceed 25-feet without any attenuation in the data. That’s why it’s best practice to use a cable sized specifically for the job you have in mind. Build QualityThe good thing is, if it works, it works. For example, if you're sending a 4K HDR signal from your 4K Blu-ray player to your 4K HDR TV and the TV shows a 4K HDR signal, you're set. It's not possible to get a better image using a different 4K HDMI cable. That's not how the technology works. Unlike the other cables on this list, the Snowkids Superflat HDMI cable is only available in one size. Having such limitations, it might seem questionable why this cable appears on this list. But it’s actually among the best flat HDMI cables because of its unusually good value to price ratio. There are also different HDMI connector types, which determines what ports the HDMI cable can plug into. The most popular is the full-size Type A HDMI connector, which is found on most devices, including TVs and monitors. Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.