| HDMI is fast becoming the interface of choice for a | | | | as 8 channels, all on the same cable. The ease with |
| wide variety of home entertainment devices. You will | | | | which you can now connect your audio and video |
| find HDMI sockets on many LCD and plasma TVs, | | | | devices is greatly increased. As you no longer need |
| projectors, DVD recorders and players and home | | | | separate leads for audio and video, cable |
| theater systems. | | | | management is much easier. Also, HDMI has much |
| What is HDMI? | | | | greater bandwidth than that needed for any |
| Without going into the technical details, the High | | | | mainstream audio or video device currently on the |
| Definition Multimedia Interface simply allows the | | | | market, for that reason it's 'future-proof' |
| transmission of both video and audio in a digital, rather | | | | What Type of Cable Should I Buy? |
| than analogue, fashion. It is somewhat similar to the | | | | With HDMI cables varying in price from under $10 to |
| DVI interface you may be familiar with which is found | | | | $50 or more, you may wonder what the difference is |
| on many computers and set-top boxes, but DVI can | | | | between the multitude of cables on the market. The |
| only carry video signals. You can however easily buy | | | | answer is not very much. A salesperson may tell you |
| a DVI to HDMI converter, for example to connect an | | | | that their premium cable with gold-plated connectors |
| LCD TV to your computer for a high quality digital | | | | and specially thick wiring is superior to cheaper |
| display. | | | | offerings, but this is largely untrue. Don't be seduced by |
| The Benefits of HDMI | | | | sales talk and gimmicks. As the cable is only |
| With older interfaces, such as SCART and component | | | | transmitting digital signals -- 1's and 0's -- it will either |
| video, extra steps are involved in translating signals | | | | work or it won't, there's no halfway house. It's not |
| between analogue and digital formats; every time this | | | | possible to get a 'better' signal by using a special |
| happens the signal is degraded. HDMI solves this | | | | coating on the plug or different wire. |
| problem by transmitting an uncompressed digital signal, | | | | If you're in the process of setting up your home |
| improving quality and fidelity. It supports the latest 1080p | | | | entertainment devices, then you would be well advised |
| high definition video standards, as well as being | | | | to opt for cheap HDMI cables and spend the money |
| backwards-compatible with lower resolution standards. | | | | you will save on other parts of the system. |
| It also allows for high quality digital audio over as many | | | | |