HDMI cable difference?

[zod96]

I just bought a HDMI cable from frys for $12. It doesn't say anything about being 1.3 1.3B etc is their a difference in HDMI cables? This would be for my new samsung LN40A550 LCD.

 

[sswingle]

A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

 

[zod96]

That's what I thought thanks...

 

[mshan]

http://bluejeanscable.com/arti...-versions.htm?hdmidept

You can also use Monoprice as a reference for "fair" price for quality built, but not necessarily videophile HDMI cables:

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...p?c_id=102&cp_id=10243

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

All you ever wanted to know about HDMI cables but were afraid to ask.

 

[zod96]

Excellent thanks for those links. From what I have gathered, if your cable is say less than 6 Ft any cable will do. The one I bought for $15 is 6 ft so I should be fine.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: zod96
Excellent thanks for those links. From what I have gathered, if your cable is say less than 6 Ft any cable will do. The one I bought for $15 is 6 ft so I should be fine.

Yep, and that length will be the case for the overwhelming majority of users.

Interesting thing in that cable test linked above: The cables that failed the actual test worked just fine when actually hooked to a TV.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: sswingle
A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

It's interesting that you use USB 1 vs USB 2 as an example. I guess you're not aware that if you use a cable that is only spec'd for USB 1.1, it may not work properly for USB 2. Before USB 2 came out, I had a lot of USB stuff, and thus lots of USB 1.1 cables. These cables would not work properly with my USB 2.0 hard drives.

Similarly, if you get an HDMI cable that's spec'd only for up to 1080i, you may run into problems when trying to pay 1080p60. The same would be true in the future if you tried to run Deep Color. I've run into this very 1080p60 problem myself too. As others have said, when you're dealing with cables that are 6' and under, it's usually not an issue. However, once you start dealing with cables that are 15' or longer, it becomes a significant issue.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: sswingle
A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

It's interesting that you use USB 1 vs USB 2 as an example. I guess you're not aware that if you use a cable that is only spec'd for USB 1.1, it may not work properly for USB 2. Before USB 2 came out, I had a lot of USB stuff, and thus lots of USB 1.1 cables. These cables would not work properly with my USB 2.0 hard drives.

Similarly, if you get an HDMI cable that's spec'd only for up to 1080i, you may run into problems when trying to pay 1080p60. The same would be true in the future if you tried to run Deep Color. I've run into this very 1080p60 problem myself too. As others have said, when you're dealing with cables that are 6' and under, it's usually not an issue. However, once you start dealing with cables that are 15' or longer, it becomes a significant issue.

True. I have a portable USB powered HD and it came with a 2 headed usb cable, one for power and one for data. If I use USB2 "certified" cables I can get away with one usb connection, but some old usb cable just wont work, wont fully power the drive. But usb "rated" cables work fine.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: sswingle
A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

It's interesting that you use USB 1 vs USB 2 as an example. I guess you're not aware that if you use a cable that is only spec'd for USB 1.1, it may not work properly for USB 2. Before USB 2 came out, I had a lot of USB stuff, and thus lots of USB 1.1 cables. These cables would not work properly with my USB 2.0 hard drives.

Similarly, if you get an HDMI cable that's spec'd only for up to 1080i, you may run into problems when trying to pay 1080p60. The same would be true in the future if you tried to run Deep Color. I've run into this very 1080p60 problem myself too. As others have said, when you're dealing with cables that are 6' and under, it's usually not an issue. However, once you start dealing with cables that are 15' or longer, it becomes a significant issue.

True. I have a portable USB powered HD and it came with a 2 headed usb cable, one for power and one for data. If I use USB2 "certified" cables I can get away with one usb connection, but some old usb cable just wont work, wont fully power the drive. But usb "rated" cables work fine.

I don't think that's related. The problem in your case is just the drive power. Some machines don't provide enough power over a single USB port to power some laptop hard drives. (The spec for USB power happens to be low enough that some drives simply require too much power for USB to handle. That said, some ports can provide more power than the required minimum.) However, with two USB ports, there is enough power. Having a USB 2 cable isn't going to help. However, the drive may react differently with different computers, and some drives are just borderline, so they'll sometimes power-up with just one port.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: sswingle
A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

It's interesting that you use USB 1 vs USB 2 as an example. I guess you're not aware that if you use a cable that is only spec'd for USB 1.1, it may not work properly for USB 2. Before USB 2 came out, I had a lot of USB stuff, and thus lots of USB 1.1 cables. These cables would not work properly with my USB 2.0 hard drives.

Similarly, if you get an HDMI cable that's spec'd only for up to 1080i, you may run into problems when trying to pay 1080p60. The same would be true in the future if you tried to run Deep Color. I've run into this very 1080p60 problem myself too. As others have said, when you're dealing with cables that are 6' and under, it's usually not an issue. However, once you start dealing with cables that are 15' or longer, it becomes a significant issue.

True. I have a portable USB powered HD and it came with a 2 headed usb cable, one for power and one for data. If I use USB2 "certified" cables I can get away with one usb connection, but some old usb cable just wont work, wont fully power the drive. But usb "rated" cables work fine.

I don't think that's related. The problem in your case is just the drive power. Some machines don't provide enough power over a single USB port to power some laptop hard drives. (The spec for USB power happens to be low enough that some drives simply require too much power for USB to handle. That said, some ports can provide more power than the required minimum.) However, with two USB ports, there is enough power. Having a USB 2 cable isn't going to help. However, the drive may react differently with different computers, and some drives are just borderline, so they'll sometimes power-up with just one port.

No, Im talking about on the same computer. Usb 2rated cables will power with one connection, some older ones dont. Same computer and dif computers. I tested this to death. Cables can make a difference.

 

[Eug]

^^^ The spec for both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 is usually for 5V 0.5 A = 2.5 Watts.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: sswingle
A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

That's just not true at all. There are difference between HDMI cables in terms of bandwidth, length, loss, etc. That's the reason for the specifications, that they even test for it is awesome.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone
All you ever wanted to know about HDMI cables but were afraid to ask.

Awesome link. Should be required reading.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Eug
^^^ The spec for both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 is usually for 5V 0.5 A = 2.5 Watts.

I just did it on my work PC. USB 2.0 rated cable powers usb HD, older USB cable doesnt. Should I video tape it for ya? Cables CAN make a difference.

 

[shempf]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: sswingle
A cable is a cable is a cable.

Just like the difference between usb 1 and 2 cables. NOTHING

That's just not true at all. There are difference between HDMI cables in terms of bandwidth, length, loss, etc. That's the reason for the specifications, that they even test for it is awesome.

That's what I was thinking.....there is a test somewhere (I believe an avsforum guy did it).

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Eug
^^^ The spec for both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 is usually for 5V 0.5 A = 2.5 Watts.

I just did it on my work PC. USB 2.0 rated cable powers usb HD, older USB cable doesnt. Should I video tape it for ya? Cables CAN make a difference.

Yeah, cable quality matters, I agree.

However, I'm surprised it matters in your case for power and not just transmission speed, since 1.1 cables should be able to provide the same power, and AFAIK, it's not particularly difficult to provide 2.5 W power over a standard USB cable.

Have you tried other 1.1 cables? Just wondering if it's just a bad 1.1 cable you have there. Or could it be a software sensing issue? Weird.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Eug
^^^ The spec for both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 is usually for 5V 0.5 A = 2.5 Watts.

I just did it on my work PC. USB 2.0 rated cable powers usb HD, older USB cable doesnt. Should I video tape it for ya? Cables CAN make a difference.

Yeah, cable quality matters, I agree.

However, I'm surprised it matters in your case for power and not just transmission speed, since 1.1 cables should be able to provide the same power, and AFAIK, it's not particularly difficult to provide 2.5 W power over a standard USB cable.

Have you tried other 1.1 cables? Just wondering if it's just a bad 1.1 cable you have there. Or could it be a software sensing issue? Weird.

Been doing this for years with 100s of various cable. USB 2.0 rated cables always work, non USB 2.0 rated cable have been hit or miss. There are reasons for rated specs. As I am sure HDMI will, if not already, come to a point where you will need a higher specced cable and not any plain old cable. I'm not saying run out and buy overpriced Monster cables, but get the best cheap highest rating you can. Mono usually is the best place.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
There are reasons for rated specs. As I am sure HDMI will, if not already, come to a point where you will need a higher specced cable and not any plain old cable. I'm not saying run out and buy overpriced Monster cables, but get the best cheap highest rating you can. Mono usually is the best place.

We are already at that point for HDMI, especially if the cable is 15' or longer. 1080p60 is already in people's homes, and that's much harder for a cable to handle than 1080i or 1080p24. It's quite common for people to have visible image artifacts with say a 25' cable and 1080p60. That's why I keep telling people that the statement that all HDMI cables are the same is false. I never recommend Monster cables because they're way overpriced, but the high end ones are actually good cables, and often better than noname ones in real-world usage. For a 6' length, it usually won't matter, but for long runs, it may.

I own a lot of Monoprice cables, but it's just one of several to get reasonable cables of course. eg. Blue Jeans has some higher end cables than Monoprice might sell in the same gauge... but for more cost. For example, for 25' round 24 AWG cable, Monoprice only sells a tin-plated version of it. Blue Jeans sells a silver-plated one from the same manufacturer. The difference may be minor, but sometimes silver-plated does slightly better than tin-plated, so considering the price difference may only be $10-15 or whatever I'd rather get the higher priced one (as you seem to suggest).


As for the USB issue, the reason I mentioned this is because power is actually carried on different wires from the data. Furthermore, USB 1.1 is already spec'd for 2.5 W, as is USB 2.0. ie. AFAIK, the spec for both USB 1.1 and 2.0 power is basically the same.

The spec is different for data. USB 2.0 has a much higher spec than USB 1.1. I do know of instances where a USB 1.1 cable would power up a drive, but just that the data transfer would be unreliable, or just slow... and that's what I would have expected given my admittedly very superficial understanding of the spec. I assumed the same would be true for you, but nope. You just don't get power with a USB 1.1 cable. So, I'm not sure what's going on. Perhaps someone with a better understanding of the spec can educate me.

EDIT:

Interesting... I just did a bit more research into this.

Yes, the power spec for USB 2 and USB 1.1 is the same. Also, the data spec for USB 2 is higher than USB 1.1. However, this latter part does NOT apply to cables. Apparently, USB 1.1 and USB 2 have the same spec for the cables. In other words, a truly spec-compliant USB 1.1 cable should work just fine with USB 2.0. The problem though is the fact that the majority of USB 1.1 cables out there aren't actually spec-compliant for USB 1.1. It seems the manufacturers found out they could get away with making under-spec'd cables and it would still work fine for USB 1.1 for data bandwidth. Data transfer problems didn't get noticed until 2.0 appeared.

Still, I still wonder how this significantly affects power, since USB 1.1 devices sometimes do already draw near the full 2.5 Watts of power.