HDMI buying guide - Myway Technology Co., Ltd.

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HDMI buying guide

Here are a few tips to help you shop for HDMI-enabled products:

HDMI Version Numbers

Version numbers such as HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.4a are primarily of interest to manufacturers, and not very relevant to the consumer. Instead, it is recommended that you focus on the specific features and capabilities of the product you're buying, and not worry about which HDMI version is supported. Keep in mind that every HDMI version is backward-compatible with all previous versions, so you can be assured that any new equipment you buy will always deliver the highest level of quality that your existing equipment supports.

Choosing the Right HDMI Cable

When it comes to selecting a cable, the HDMI version number is never relevant. There is no such thing as a "Version 1.4 cable" or "HDMI 1.3 cable" - these terms are solely the creation of manufacturers' marketing efforts. Cables are instead rated by their performance capabilities. There are five HDMI cable types to choose from:

Standard HDMI Cable - Designed to handle most home applications, the Standard HDMI Cable can reliably transmit 1080i or 720p video plus surround audio.
Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Same baseline performance as the Standard HDMI Cable, plus a dedicated Ethernet channel for Internet connection sharing and device networking.
Standard Automotive HDMI Cable - Designed for internal cabling of motor vehicles equipped with onboard HD video systems.
High Speed HDMI Cable - Designed to handle video resolutions of 1080p and beyond, including advanced display technologies like 3D and 4K.
High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet - Same baseline performance as the High Speed HDMI cable, plus a dedicated Ethernet channel for Internet connection sharing and device networking.

Each of these cable types should be clearly marked with a distinctive logo, as shown below. These Cable Type Logos are designed to help you easily identify the ideal cable type to support the capabilities of your equipment:

Shopping for HDMI-ready Components

The HDMI specification is an evolving standard, so revisions and improvements are to be expected. But that doesn't mean newer versions are inherently better than older versions, or that you should always look for the latest HDMI version when you're shopping. Instead, you should shop for the specific features you want. Here are a few considerations:

Video Resolution is always important, since an HDMI link will auto-negotiate resolution between a TV and a source device, such as Blu-ray player or cable set-top box. For instance, a 1080p TV will only display at 1080p if it is connected to a 1080p source device. If the source device has a maximum resolution of 720p, the TV will render at 720p when that device is selected.
3D is another example of where the TV and source device must both support the feature. A 3D-capable TV must be connected to a 3D source device to render 3D video.
Deep Color refers to monitors that can display a greater number of colors than traditional TVs, billions or trillions of colors rather than millions. Deep Color technology delivers extraordinary texture and detail, rendering smooth color gradients even in night scenes, blue skies, and other situations where subtle shading is required.
x.v.Color refers to an expanded, "wider" color gamut that includes colors not traditionally available in TVs. The x.v.Color space incorporates a much larger portion of the visible spectrum than the older RGB color model, presenting a stunning range of colors that more closely resembles the real world.

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