HDMI cables and connectors are what most of us use to hookup our audio-visual devices to each other.

Given the development of modern TV technology, you might even use HDMI converters for retro game consoles or other devices to enable AV and different types of connections to be delivered by HDMI.

While HDMI is a widespread technology that almost everyone uses daily, it still confuses many people. There are times when HDMI might not be appropriate or needed. You also may encounter or need to use different types of HDMI connection, depending on what you’re looking to achieve.

In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about HDMI.

In lay terms, HDMI is the cable you use to connect your device to your TV.

By understanding that HDMI stands for “High Definition Multimedia Interface,” we can start to understand more about it.

While there are several versions of HDMI, the same cable and connector type is always used. Some HDMI cables do, however, offer features such as ethernet or enhanced video and audio transmission capacity.

Most modern TV systems will have several HDMI connectors. These are generally numbered HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on, although sometimes they’ll be labeled as “DVD” and “Game,” for example. Even when they are marked with specific device names or types, you don’t necessarily need to follow these. Your TV won’t refuse to connect to your Blu-Ray player because you used the games console connector!

Some source devices, including some game consoles, may have connectors labeled “HDMI Out” and “HDMI In.” You will need to ensure you use the HDMI Out connector to ensure you can hook these devices up to your TV.

However, as with sound, much depends on the capability of your device. For example, if you have a standard definition TV, you can’t watch 4K Blu-Ray content. As with the sound example, this is an issue with your device, not with HDMI.

You must ensure your TV or other display devices can support the video format you want to watch.

If you’re buying modern devices, HDMI will often be your only option for connecting them, so you’ll use HDMI by default.

Luckily, adapters are available for most types of “old school” connections, so you can still hook them up to your HD TV device. While you will use this adapter to use an HD cable, you may also need to use an additional cable for sound. For example, if you are converting from DVI to HDMI, DVI only supports video signals. As such, you would need a coaxial or audio cable between your devices to ensure you can hear the sound.

It’s easy to overcomplicate choosing an HDMI cable. Retailers don’t help this, as you’ll often be able to find a wide range of HDMI cable options. Yet, most HDMI cables do the same thing, so you shouldn’t waste time worrying about most of the variables that come into play.

Some people swear by using HDMI cables with gold plated connectors, but they’re pretty pointless, for two reasons:

As with buying a branded HDMI cable, the only thing you’ll achieve is lowering your bank balance for no reason.

In HDMI ARC, the ARC stands for “Audio Return Channel.”

HDMI ARC was first introduced in the HDMI 1.4 specification. HDMI ARC facilitates the transmission of data in two directions.

As such, using HDMI ARC can help reduce the number of cables you need in your home theater setup.

For example, where you have an HDMI connection between something like an AV receiver and your television, or your sound system, you can use the same cable to send video to the TV and audio back to your speakers. You can achieve with one cable what you may have previously needed two or three to do!

This means you can use HDMI ARC to play sound through your speaker system from streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix.

When it comes to sending audio from your TV to an external speaker system, you’ll typically find yourself choosing between HDMI ARC or using a digital optical output.

The good news is that you won’t notice any difference in sound quality if you choose one or the other. As such, if you have a personal preference, go with it.

A comparison of these two connection methods boils down to what’s best for your circumstances.

You might even find that you have no choice but to go a certain way.

We’d suggest using HDMI ARC if you can. If nothing else, it’ll make it easier to keep your cables tidy and organized. However, if your hardware dictates you need to use digital optical cabling, you won’t suffer a reduced home theater experience as a result.

CEC stands for “Consumer Electronics Control” and was introduced in the HDMI 1.2 specification.

CEC automates certain parts of your home theater system.

CEC can be useful in saving time and preventing you from needing several remote controls to access the inputs and channels you want to.

To use CEC, you need to enable it in the settings of all your relevant devices. It’s also worth reading your hardware manuals. Manufacturers have different names for CEC, which we have listed below for your reference.

In total, there are nine different versions of HDMI or HDMI specifications. The main HDMI specifications are often grouped into five categories, based on commonly shared factors in each group:

When buying an HDMI cable, the trick is to buy the right cable for your needs.

There is no specific standard or specification that defines the maximum length an HDMI cable can be. However, in general, a longer cable should be of higher quality to produce the same result as a shorter cable. The quality of the electrical circuits in your devices will also play a role in your HDMI signal’s quality. Likewise, a top-quality cable won’t always be able to cover for lower spec devices.

HDMI is compatible with DVI, but will only transmit video signals, so you’ll need to buy an optical cable for your audio requirements.

The main differences are that they have different connectors, and DVI offers nothing like CEC capability. At the same time, HDMI supports YUV color, which DVI doesn’t.

Yes. You can sometimes do this with an AV receiver. However, you may need to buy a specific component to HDMI converter to get the result and quality output you’re looking for.

How annoying is it when you have a set-top box or a TV that places the HDMI terminal at a right angle to the wall? You find yourself with your equipment a few inches off the wall rather than right up against it. If you want to mount your TV on the wall, this can flat out stop you from doing so.

HDMI right angle connectors are small components that fit into your HDMI terminals, enabling you to run cables parallel to the wall. Use them whenever you need to get your hardware closer to the wall or have all your cables running in one direction!

Yes. All you need to do is buy an adapter that will convert an HDMI input to a VGA.

As with buying a component video HDMI converter, ensure you check each specific adapter before purchasing before getting the one you need.

No. You would need to buy a USB to HDMI adapter. You plug your HDMI cable into the adapter, which you can then plug into the USB port of whichever device you want to use.

It’s worth noting that most devices where you’d need to connect USB to HDMI in the past, such as laptops, now typically come with HDMI ports anyway. If you can directly connect HDMI to HDMI, then do so. It’ll save you money as well as any potential loss in quality due to the connection you’re using.

Only if you’re currently using a category 1 HDMI cable.

If you’re not sure what type of cable you’re currently using, you’ll know it’s a category 1 if you cannot watch any of these content types on your TV. If that happens, you know you need to go and purchase a new cable!

In most situations, the right HDMI cable will be the one that best suits your circumstances. With most modern HDMI cables, you will need to work very hard to notice any difference in video and audio quality, so long as you have a cable that is compatible with your devices.