- 1). Determine your needs. Most audio/video shops carry two different variations of HDMI cables: standard HDMI and high-speed HDMI. Believe it or not, there is a difference between the two, but the question you need to ask is: does the difference relate to my needs?
- 2). Standard HDMI cables, often called Category 1 HDMI, deliver data at a speed of 76 MHz. This is equal to a signal of 1080i.
- 3). High-speed HDMI cables, or Category 2 HDMI, deliver data at a speed of 340 MHz. This type of HDMI cable is capable of handling the highest amount of bandwidth available. It offers the equivalent of a 1080p signal. This type of HDMI cable is ideal for displays with very high resolutions, specifically WQXGA monitors with resolutions of 2560x1600.
- 4). While high-speed HDMI cables are capable of providing increased refresh rates and improved color depths, depending on the size of your monitor, you may not even be able to tell the difference.
- 5). When each HDMI cable is attached to televisions below 32 inches, the picture quality will typically look the same to the naked eye. However, once you get into the larger displays with greater resolutions, the disconcerting eye will more than likely see some advantages in using the high-speed HDMI cable.
- 6). If you are purchasing a 26-inch LCD monitor with a resolution of 720p, there is no need to shell out the money to purchase the high-speed HDMI cables, as your television set won't be able to take advantage of the high-speed capabilities anyway. Save the money and put it toward a Blu-Ray player, which of course will need another HDMI cable.
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