Welcome to our new HDMI
Cable Benchmark.
Unlike our other
Benchmarks, this one will not be very complex. It is basically designed
to test whether the new HDMI cables that are being sold everywhere will
pass a 1080i digital video signal along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 digital
audio signal for at least 39 feet (12 meters) of cable.
The reason we are doing
this is that we have found that not all HDMI cables will pass these
signals properly for long distances. Sure, they might work in a 6 foot
cable, but many of us need longer cables to take the video signal across
the room to the projector.
Our feeling on this, is
that if the cable will pass digital video and audio for at least 39 feet
(12 meters is a common maximum length that manufacturers can supply,
which equals 39.37 feet), then it is built well, and will do a good job
at all lengths less than that which you might need to purchase.
Our test is simple. The
cable must pass the digital video and audio (source can either be a
satellite box, using the HDMI output, or a high definition DVD player)
to a surround sound processor and to a digital projector. The video must
not have any sparkles in the image (sparkles indicate dropped bits), and
the audio must be clear in all channels.
We request the cable
from the manufacturer in either 12 meters or 15 meters length, depending
on what the maximum length they supply. If the 15 meter cable does not
pass, then we request the 12 meter cable. Otherwise, if the 15 meter
cable passes, all the better.
Following are the
cables that have passed the Benchmark. Because this is a new Benchmark,
and the tests may change while we get it all standardized, we are not
going to list the cables that failed our tests. At some later date,
cables that fail the tests will be listed.
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Specifications:
● Length: 50 Feet
● Conductors: Copper
● Up to 1080i Resolution
● Catalog No. CAB-HDMI-50MM ● MSRP: $248
USA
Gefen
www.gefen.com |
Gefen is primarily a supplier of HDMI
and DVI switchers, extenders, converters, adapters, and distribution
amplifiers, but they also suppy cables, and they are very good
quality.
The cables are very flexible.
I had absolutely no trouble with the
50 foot cable delivering 1080i video and DD 5.1 audio.
They are not the least expensive cable
out there, but we have found that some of the cheaper cables have
problems, and that is why we started this Benchmark.
Best Deal Cables 10 Meter HDMI Cable with
Locking Tab
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Specifications:
● Length: 32.8 Feet (15
Meters); 0.72" Wide x 0.16" Thick ● Conductors:
24 Gauge Silver-clad OFC (Copper)
● Contacts: Gold Plated ● Up to
1080p Resolution ● Catalog No.
HDMI1010 ● MSRP: $79.89 USA
N/A |
With all the discussion
about how HDMI plugs and jacks are not very robust, Best Deal Cables
came up with a solution.
They put a connecting tab
on the plug, which you can see on top of the plug in the photo
below.
"Well, that's fine and
dandy", you might say, "but my SSP doesn't have a slot for that
tab."
Ah, but Best Deal Cables
thought of that too. They include two little screws that have a tiny
ball on the end.
What you do is remove the
mounting screw above the HDMI jack that holds it in place . . .
. . . then you
replace that screw with the ball screw that Best Deal supplies with
the cable.
The tab will not only
hold the plug in the jack, but it will stabilize it as well, from
flexing. This will help to prevent damage to the HDMI
jacks that has plagued many users, including yours truly.
Best Deal does not have a
50 footer, but they supplied their 10 meter cable which is almost 33
feet. It worked fine, although it is a bit stiffer than some of the
other cables. However, what makes this cable special - besides the
killer price - is the locking tab. Finally, manufacturers are
starting to beef up the HDMI connector!
Comects 12 Meter HDMI Cable
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Specifications:
● Length: 39.37 Feet (12
Meters) ● Conductors: 24
Gauge Copper ● Up to
1080i Resolution ● Catalog No.
HH19G24812H ● MSRP: $2,280 HK Dollars ($293
US on July 11, 2006)
Comects
www.comects.com |
Comects is a cable
manufacturing company in Hong Kong.
They sell HDMI - HDMI
cables, HDMI - DVI cables, adapters, and extenders.
Their HDMI cables are
available at a maximum length of 12 meters.
The cables are rather
stiff, so use some extra length to bend into tight places.
The review unit passed
the tests with no problems.
HDTV Supply 50 Foot HDMI Cable
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Specifications:
● Length: 50 Feet ● Conductors:
22 Gauge Copper
● Contacts: Gold-plated ● Up to
1080p Resolution ● Catalog No.
1080phdmi ● MSRP: $129.95
HDTV Supply
www.hdtvsupply.com
|
HDTV Supply sells all
kinds of cables, switchers, and extenders for HDMI and DVI.
In the 50 foot version,
they offer a tin-plated as well as silver-plated. Silver is a very
good conductor, so I would suggest getting that option ($189.95) with a long
cable like this (we tested the tin-plated version, not the
silver-plated).
The cable is quite thick,
so it is best suited for placement inside a wall rather than under a
rug. As such, it is also a bit less flexible than other cables, but
that is not necessarily a problem.
The review unit passed
the tests with no difficulties. They specify testing to 1080p
resolution, but state that you may need an HDMI booster (repeater)
with some sources.
At less than $200 for
this 50 foot cable, even with the silver-plated conductors, it
represents an excellent value.
RAM Electronics 50 Foot HDMI Cable
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Specifications:
● Length: 50 Feet ● Conductors: 25
Silver-plated Copper
● Dielectric: Foamed Polyethylene
● Contacts: Gold-plated
● Up to
1080p Resolution ● Catalog No.
HDMI-50 ● MSRP: $218.24 USA
RAM Electronics
www.ramelectronics.net |
RAM Electronics sells not
only HDMI cables and switchers, but video processors, Blue Tooth
components, and other things.
The 50 foot cable that we
received for review is very flexible, as it is not thick, so this
would be a good one for going around corners easily.
It is also very
inexpensive, there is good value here. They do offer a higher-end
line (50 foot version is $400) that also can be purchased in a 75
foot length.
The review unit passed
the tests with no problems.
Wireworld Starlight 52 15 Meter HDMI Cable
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Specifications:
● Length: 49.21 Feet (15
Meters); 0.72" Wide x 0.16" Thick ● Conductors:
24 Gauge Silver-clad OFC (Copper)
● Dielectric: Foamed Polyethylene
● Contacts: Gold/Silver/Copper Alloy ● Up to
1080p Resolution ● Catalog No.
SHH15.0M ● MSRP: $899.95 USA
Wireworld
www.wireworldcable.com |
Wireworld is a very well
know company that makes fine cables.
This particular HDMI
cable is flat (0.15" thick) so it will go under rugs, and perhaps,
even along a wall under the molding.
The build quality on this
cable is superb, reflecting its higher price than other cables of
this same length.
It is the only one that
guarantees 1080p transmission without an HDMI repeater along the
way.
Image and sound quality
were superb, and the cable passed all the tests with no problems.
In spite of its heavy
build, it is quite flexible, although this is only in the vertical
direction.
Since it is flat, it will
not bend sideways very easily, so you need to give it a quarter
twist when going around corners. They specify a minimum bending
radius of 25mm (1").
The connector is the
sturdiest we have tested so far.