When you begin browsing online for new HDMI cables for your home entertainment system, you will soon see that there are many different types to choose from. One of the main differences between HDMI cables is in connector types, of which there are five main options.

The different HDMI cable connectors available are:

• Type A, the standard nineteen pin connector
• Type B, a type with 29 pins that can carry twice the video bandwidth of Type A
• Type C, a mini-connector used with portable devices
• Type D, a micro-connector which looks like a Type A but smaller, resembling a micro USB connector
•...

Anyone who has ever been to see a 3D film at the cinema will tell you that the experience is truly amazing, but what’s even more incredible is that you can now enjoy the same experience in your very own home.

If you plan to build up your very own 3D home entertainment centre in your living room, you will need to get a few pieces of equipment first. Here’s what you will need:

• A 3D-enabled HD TV, preferably widescreen for the full cinema experience
• A pair of 3D glasses, if they aren’t included with your 3D TV purchase
• 3D sources, such as a 3D-ready Blu-ray player and discs, a PS3 or Xbo...

In the first part of this guide, we looked at one of the features offered by HDMI cables – support for advanced colour spaces. We also took a brief look at what colour spaces, but let’s now move onto the specific colour spaces HDMI cables can offer support for.

Deep Color

Deep Color, support for which is offered by HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.4 cables, allows HDTVs and other high definition displays use billions rather than millions of colours. This creates displays that are as vivid and accurate as it is possible to get. Viewers with Deep Color support can also enjoy increased contrast ratio, al...

If you look down the list of features and functions offered by your HDMI cables, it is likely that you will not understand all of them unless you are something of an electronics buff. However, by finding out a little bit more about the cables which connect up your home entertainment system, you can unlock the potential of all your devices and get the best from your setup.

One thing that many people ask about when looking at HDMI features is colour spaces, advanced support for which is offered by HDMI cable versions 1.3 and beyond. So, what are colour spaces, how do they affect your home...

3D is a hugely exciting innovation in the world of cinema, and the technology is now breaking into the home entertainment market in a very big way. Consumers can now have the opportunity to watch 3D TV and films, play 3D games and explore the limitations of the technology in their very own homes, a prospect that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

If you have recently spent your hard-earned cash on a 3D-enabled TV, it is very important that you get all the essential accessories to allow you to get the best from your investment. You may not be aware of this, but your stand...

Shopping for HDMI cables isn’t as easy as you may think. Even if you know which version and what length you need, you are still likely to encounter a number of different options to choose from.

You should know that there are five main types of HDMI cable. These are:

• The standard HDMI cable. This is designed to be able to cope with most home entertainment tasks, and can transmit the HDMI resolutions most often used in cable and satellite TV

• The standard HDMI cable with Ethernet. This cable offers the same performance as the previous type, but with the useful addition of an Ethernet chann...

The consumer electronics giant Toshiba has launched a brand new 3D product onto the market, in the form of its first ever full HD 3D camcorder.

The Toshiba Camileo Z100 offers a dazzling array of features, including a dual lens system and 8x digital zoom, as well as full HD 2D capture (1920 x 1080 at 30fps). What’s more, the camcorder can take pictures up to 16MP thanks to its two CMOS, 5MP quality image sensors, which also have back side illumination.

Although the camcorder has a 7.1cm glasses-free touchscreen, users are best viewing their home videos and directorial efforts on their wi...

It would be nice if every piece of technology you use in your everyday life would work as it is supposed to, without you having to troubleshoot problems. However, it is not always so straightforward, especially when connecting up devices in your home entertainment system.

As with any new technology, you will need to make a few adjustments to your setup if you plan to enjoy 3D in your home.

The following are a couple of the most common problems relating to HDMI cables and 3D TV, and how to fix them.

1. When trying to play 3D films, my TV screen just goes blank
The most likely cause for this is ...

The biggest issue many people face when trying to buy new HDMI cables is whether they should go for the cheapest ones available, or whether they should see a higher price tag and a well-known brand as a sign of quality and choose those cables instead.

This is a topic that has been fiercely debated by home entertainment fans for years, but there is quite a simple answer available. All you need to do when shopping for HDMI cables is look for those that display the label ‘HDMI Certified’. Without this certification, there is no guarantee that the cable you buy will perform up to the expecte...

When you upgrade one part of your home entertainment system, you often find that you have to make changes to other devices and components so that everything is compatible.

Some people worry that this is the case with HDMI cables, believing that they will have to replace all their older equipment once they buy the latest version of HDMI cable. This shouldn’t be the case, as each new version of HDMI cable is specially designed to be ‘backwards compatible’ with the versions that came before it.

What this means is that even if you have equipment that is designed for use with HDMI 1.4 cables, ...

Although they may look pretty simple, and they are straightforward to use, HDMI cables are actually quite sophisticated in the way that they work.

One of the biggest mysteries is how HDMI cables are able to send such high quality signals, and send both audio and video signals in the same cable. Let’s take a quick look at how they send signals…

Standard HDMI cables generally have around 19 pins, and it is from these pins that the signals begin their journeys. They travel from the pins through twisted pairs of copper cable until they reach their destination – the display device.

A total of t...

If you take a look at the back of your home entertainment system (usually behind your TV stand or cabinet), will you find a terrifying tangle or wires and cables? This is the case for many people.

This cluttered arrangement can not only make your living room look a mess; it can also make it difficult for you to access certain parts of your home entertainment system.

So, what is the solution? You ideally need to cut down on the number of wires and cables you use, but if all of these are in use and are important, you need another solution. The answer could be to replace all of your analogue...

If you are a fan of 3D technology and you want to own a piece of it in your very own home, the latest announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show 2012 will be very exciting for you.

During CES 2012, the electronics company Bang & Olufsen (B&O) revealed that it plans to release a brand new 3D TV for the consumer market. The BeoVision 12-65 is a 65 inch, ultra-flat plasma TV capable of exceptional 2D and 3D performance.

As well as having a very thin screen, the BeoVision 12-65 also has an optical illusion included in the design as well as a partly integrated wall bracket. All of these fea...

Anyone who enjoys shooting their own video material and uses HDMI cables to display the fruits of their directorial efforts will soon have a new tool to play with.

Sony is reportedly planning to launch a new, more compact update to its first 3D camcorder, the Sony HDR-TDR10E 3D camcorder. For what has been reported to be a similar price, this new version -the Sony HDR-TD20VE 3D camcorder – is around a third smaller than its predecessor.

The TD20VE also offers users the ability to take 20 megapixel photos, shoot full 2D and 3D video, and use a 3.5 inch glasses-free 3D screen. The only oth...

If the last time you bought an HDMI cable was a couple of years ago, you may not realise that there have been a couple of new HDMI cable versions introduced. Each version is an update of the one that came before it, so it is usually worth buying the newer version.

The latest version available is HDMI 1.4 cables. It is not absolutely essential that you buy this version if you have a standard home entertainment system (i.e. if you plan to connect up devices such as games consoles, DVD and Blu-ray players to an LCD HD TV). An HDMI 1.3a, 1.3b, or 1.3c cable will be perfectly fine for standar...

If you are lucky enough to have received an Xbox 360 console for Christmas, or you have snapped one up for yourself in the January sales, you should consider buying an HDMI cable for it.

There are many ways to connect up games consoles, but these often involve using a lot of different cables for audio and video. This can leave your home entertainment system, and your living room, looking cluttered.

There is a way you can reduce this tangle of cables and still experience an amazing gaming experience, however. The solution is HDMI cables, which can carry both audio and video in the same cab...

As a home entertainment fan, you will no doubt know that HDMI cables are the best way to connect up devices and components in your system. They offer many benefits over other analogue cables, and they really are the connection interfaces of the future.

It is difficult to know everything there is to know about HDMI cables, mainly because for something that looks so simple, they perform a surprisingly large number of features and functions. One of these is CEC, which stands for Consumer Electronics Control.

Although you may not realise it, CEC is hugely beneficial for you as the viewer. Thi...

Although many versions of the HDMI cable specification have been released over the years, some of the earlier versions are no longer in use. This is because each new version is an update of the last, with new features and functions added, making the version that came before it virtually obsolete.

There are two versions of HDMI cables which are still widely used. These are HDMI 1.3 (a, b and c) cables and HDMI 1.4 versions.

An HDMI 1.3 cable is the perfect version for most people, as it contains a host of useful features and support for all HD technology. These cables are cheap to buy and ...

When looking for advice on buying and using HDMI cables, you might come across some information relating to keeping your HDMI cable connectors seated. But what does this mean?

To keep an HDMI cable connector seated means to keep it connected to the HDMI ports in the devices it is connected to. If you buy a poor quality HDMI cable or one that is too heavy, it could fall out of the device it is connected to. This can interrupt your viewing and prove extremely annoying.

You may also have difficulties keeping your HDMI cable connectors seated if you have connected a cable vertically to a wall...

The electronics giant LG has announced that in 2012, it plans to release a flurry of brand new 3D products. These include state of the art 3D TV displays and other devices, but the latest announcement reveals that LG will launch three new 3D laptop computers.

If you are a fan of 3D technology, you will doubtless be very excited at this news. What it will mean is that you will be able to enjoy 3D technology in virtually every part of your home entertainment system. You can watch 3D films and TV content on your 3D-enabled TV, and then pop on your laptop for more 3D fun.

Amongst the many fea...

If you have only just heard of HDMI cables and you have never used one before, you may find the technology quite difficult to grips with.

To start with, let’s find out what HDMI actually is. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, and it is a digital connection interface capable of carrying multi-channel audio and video from source to display.

Ever since it was introduced, HDMI began to replace other types of cables, such as SCART leads, S-Video and composite video cables. These are fast becoming obsolete, as HDMI has so many benefits over them.

Benefits of HDMI cables over o...

HDMI cables have many advanced features and functions, not all of which are easy to understand. at first. One of these is HDCP, which stands for High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection.

What is HDCP?

High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection is a copy protection scheme which has been specially designed to prevent digital data from being intercepted midstream, as it is carried from source (i.e. DVD player) to display (i.e. TV set).

Any source component of your home entertainment system which is compatible with the HDCP scheme will have a secure connection with any compliant display, so t...

HDMI cables sometimes come with different connectors, and you may find yourself a little confused as to which one you should opt for. Most people will need standard Type A HDMI cable connectors, but there are some cases when you might need a different connector type.

One of these other connectors is the Type E HDMI cable connector, also known as the Automotive Connection System. This connector has been specifically designed to add HDMI functionality within vehicles.

How does an Automotive Connection System work?

To use an Automotive Connection System, you will first need to have an in-vehic...

2012 looks set to be an exciting year for home entertainment fans, with many advanced products all set to be launched onto the market. One of these is the 84 inch, Ultra Definition 3D TV from LG, which will be available to buy some time this year.

LG’s new 3D TV will be the ultimate model of its kind, boasting amazing features such as 3D Depth Control, 3D Sound Zooming and up to four times the resolution of any HD TV currently on the market. It will also feature the Smart TV ecosystem, which will give viewers access to premium content services as well as around 1,200 apps.

The president a...

If you are considering buying HDMI 1.4 cables, the latest version available, you will need to know a little about the new features and functions that these advanced cables offer.

One term you might come across whilst researching HDMI 1.4 cables is 4K. This refers to displays with very high resolutions, such as those that are around four times the resolution of a standard 1080p device.

HDMI 1.4 cables offer support for a number of 4K formats, including:

• 3840 pixels wide by 2160 pixels high
• 4096 pixels wide by 2160 pixels wide

What this means for you is that if you have an advanced, high re...

It’s the start of a brand new year, so what better time is there to update your home entertainment system? If you didn’t get all the electronics devices and handy gadgets you wanted for Christmas, you could take advantage of the brilliant deals and offers available in the January sales.

If you manage to snap up a widescreen HD LCD or Plasma TV in the sales, you will also need to track down an HDMI cable or two in order to connect everything up when you get home.

The best way to find the right HDMI cable for your system is to check the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your TV, th...

Until quite recently, most people would use TVs, DVD players and sound systems in their home entertainment systems. However, consumer electronics technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and there are now many new additions to the standard home entertainment systems.

Tablet computers are the latest gadget of choice in most homes, including the Motorola Xoom tablet. If you have one of these devices, or if you have just received one as a Christmas present, did you know you can incorporate it into your home entertainment system?

Using the HDMI port on the side of your Motorola Xoom tablet, yo...

Buying an HDMI cable isn’t quite as simple as it may first appear. Not all HDMI cables are the same, and there are a few decisions you will have to make to find your ideal solution. One of these decisions relates to HDMI cable connectors, and here are the options you will have to choose from:

Casing and materials

You can lose signal strength by choosing cheap molded plastic HDMI connectors, which is why you should look for cables which offer gold or silver plated connectors, or even die-cast HDMI cables.

Connector type

In total, there are five HDMI cable connector types. These are:

• Type A –...

One of the most commonly asked questions relating to HDMI cables is – what equipment is needed in order to use them?

If you aren’t familiar with the technology, HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. It is an all-digital connection type specifically designed to carry both high definition audio and video in a single cable. It allows you to connect up your home entertainment system and get the very best from it.

There are three key components you will need to have in order to start enjoying the benefits offered by HDMI cables. These are:

1. An HDMI source, such as a set-top box, ...

Following on from airing Strictly Come Dancing in 3D, which proved hugely popular with viewers, the BBC is planning to screen its first 3D film on New Year’s Day.

The film that has been chosen is StreetDance 3D, a Vertigo Films production, which follows a London dance crew as they prepare to compete in the UK Street Dance Championships. In return for using their rehearsal space, the street dancers must work alongside ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School.

This promises to be a real treat for fans of 3D TV and film, especially for those who are lucky enough to receive a 3D-enabled TV ...

You might think that all HDMI cables are the same, but this isn’t the case. They vary immensely when it comes to things like the length of the cable, the version and the connector type.

One difference you might note when shopping for HDMI cables is the shape of the connector and the wire. One of the most popular of these amongst home entertainment fans is the ultra flat HDMI cable, because of the many benefits it offers.

Ultra flat HDMI cables differ to standard versions because the cable is flat, rather than round. A flat cable can be useful in a wide range of different situations and ho...

The latest version of the Mac Mini computer, which was released in May 2011, includes HDMI functionality as standard. Using the in-built HDMI port, you can transfer high-definition audio and video content over an HDMI cable to other devices, such as your TV screen.

As long as your TV also has an HDMI port, you can enjoy all the content on your laptop on the big screen. You can put on video presentations, screen movies, play games and music, and put on a slideshow of all your holiday snaps – or whatever else you like.

The following are a few quick steps you will need to follow to connect yo...

Browsing online for HDMI cables, the endless lists of technical specifications, functions and features can be quite overwhelming. However, you want to ensure you are buying HDMI cables that offer good value for money with an extensive range of good features, as well as being the best suited to your home entertainment needs.

When shopping online for HDMI cables, look out for the following features:

• At least 15.3 GBPS bandwidth
• Up to 2160p resolution
• A high speed Ethernet channel
• Gold or silver plating (24 Carat) for a better signal
• Support for 3D technology
• An Audio Return Channel...

In most home entertainment systems, everything will be grouped together and there won’t be much space between devices. This means that you will only need standard length HDMI cables.

In some situations, however, you will need to use longer HDMI cables. For example, longer cables will be needed when connecting up devices in different rooms, or in different parts of very large or awkwardly-shaped rooms.

You can buy long HDMI cables, but you need to ensure you get those that have built in HDMI equalisers or signal boosters. This is because over long distances, the device (i.e. a DVD player) ...

The brilliant features and functions offered by HDMI cables are too many to possibly describe in detail, but there are a couple that stand out more than others. One of the most popular features amongst viewers and home entertainment fans is Intelligent Communication.

What is Intelligent Communication?

HDMI has allowed the manufacturers of consumer electronics products to include two-way communication in their devices. This enables a world of new functionality, where devices can communicate with each other without you, the viewer, having to lift a finger.

A key example of this type of commun...

A huge number of different home entertainment devices use HDMI cables, providing you with the very best way to enjoy films, TV, music and gaming in your very own home. For example:

Games consoles

The best way to enjoy gaming on consoles such as the Xbox or PS3 is using HDMI cables, especially as many of the latest games consoles offer 3D gaming capability.

Laptops

If you want to display downloaded or streaming content from your laptop (or even your desktop computer) on a larger screen, you can simply use an HDMI cable to connect it to a widescreen TV or projector.

TVs

All the major manufacture...

When you buy a new electronics device, such as a new TV or DVD-player, for example, you will often be asked by the sales assistant if you would like to buy an HDMI cable along with your purchase. For the sake of convenience, many people accept this recommendation and buy the HDMI cable.

However, you could be spending as much as ten times as much as you need to by buying your HDMI cables in this way. It is true, HDMI cables are essential to get your new home entertainment device up and running, but there is no need to spend a small fortune on them.

The best thing you can do is to buy your ...

There have been several announcements in the last few months relating to the launch of brand new 3D TV channels, with Sky in particular taking the lead.

The latest news is that Sky is planning to team up with David Attenborough to create a 3D wildlife documentary called Galapagos 3D. This immersive and stunning viewing experience will only be available to those viewers who have a 3D-enabled TV, and who are subscribed to Sky’s 3D TV service.

Just as important as having a 3D-enabled TV is having the right HDMI cables on hand to connect everything up. You will need HDMI 1.4 cables, the late...

Not all connections you need to make in your home entertainment system are as straightforward as you’d like them to be, as there are awkward angles, tight spaces and other logistical problems to overcome. This can result in damage to your HDMI cables when you try to connect them, as well as unnecessary stress put on HDMI ports and sockets.

To overcome this problem, there are two options to consider. The first is an HDMI cable angle adapter, a small right-angle shaped device used in place of bending your HDMI cables by 90 degrees.

If you don’t have the space for an HDMI cable angle adapter...

Although HDMI cables are the accessories you buy in order to connect up your home entertainment system and get the best out of all of your devices, there are also accessories you can purchase for your HDMI cables themselves.

Let’s take a look at a couple of the options available:

HDMI cable angle adapters

If your devices have awkwardly angled HDMI ports or sockets, or there is limited space available between wall and device, you might need to bend or kink your HDMI cable in order to connect it. This can damage your HDMI cables over time. However, if you use a right angle HDMI cable adapter...

As well as there being different lengths and versions of HDMI cables currently available, there are also two different categories. You need to know the difference between the two before shopping for HDMI cables.

Category 1 HDMI cables

These are standard HDMI cables, which are tested to perform at a certain speed. Category 1 HDMI cables are tested at speeds of 2.25 Gb per second or 75 MHZ, which is the equivalent of a 720p or 1080i signal.

Category 2 HDMI cables

These cables are classified as high speed HDMI cables, which perform much faster than Category 1 cables. They have been tested to pe...

HDMI 1.4 cables are the newest version of HDMI cable available, and the specification has been revised so that many more features and functions have been added.

One of these new features is the Ethernet Channel, which is included on most HDMI 1.4 cables. This enables you to enjoy a whole world of new possibilities when using this HDMI link to connect devices in your home entertainment system, including:

• Content distribution. This means that devices that are connected via the HDMI Ethernet Channel can exchange digital content. This means that content can be recorded, stored and played b...

When you buy a new HDMI cable, it might also be a good idea to buy an HDMI cable angle adapter to go with your purchase.

Right angle HDMI adapters help prevent your HDMI cables from becoming bent, kinked and damaged when your try to connect them to devices with awkwardly angled connectors. They are also useful if you have a tight space between the back of a device and a wall or the back of a TV cabinet in which to fit and connect an HDMI cable.

Of course, HDMI cables are known for being very tough and hardy, but over time they can become damaged if they are bent and twisted too much. Using...

As soon as you start researching the different types of HDMI cables and their functions, you are likely to be overwhelmed with huge amounts of technical information. This can be difficult to understand, so let’s take a look at the different versions of HDMI cables in brief. This should help you choose the right HDMI cable for you.

Version 1.0

This is the first version of HDMI cables ever released. It allows the transfer of both standard and HD video, at a maximum speed of 4.9 Gb per second.

Version 1.1

This is similar to version 1.0, but it offers support for DVD Audio.

Version 1.2/1.2a

These ...

HDMI cables allow you to connect different home entertainment devices together, so that you can use them in different ways and unlock their full potential. All you need is an HDMI port on each device you want to connect, along with the right HDMI cable.

If you have a laptop which has an HDMI port, you will be able to connect it to your TV or another display in order to:

• Stream video content from the internet
• Play films, TV programmes and other video content
• Play your home videos on a larger screen
• Put on a photo slideshow for all your friends and family
• Prepare and display a profess...

One of the best things about giving gifts to your friends and loved ones is watching them enjoy their presents right away. This is why it is important to include everything they need to use their gift on Christmas Day itself. So, if you are buying a home entertainment gift, this means wrapping up an HDMI cable or two along with everything else.

So, if you are planning to buy a new HD or 3D LCD TV for your loved one, you will need to include an appropriate HDMI cable (the ideal choices are HDMI 1.4 cables) so that everything can be connected up and enjoyed right away.

If you forget it and ...

Some people who are unwilling to make the switch from analogue connectors to digital HDMI cables are able to carry on enjoying their home entertainment systems as normal. However, this becomes more difficult the more new devices and components you add, as nearly all newly released home electronics devices depend heavily on HDMI cables.

Amongst the many devices which use HDMI cables, the main ones are:

• HD TV sets
• 3D TV sets
• DVD players
• Blu-ray players
• HD digital cameras and camcorders
• 3D and HD projectors
• Games consoles such as PS3 and Xbox 360
• Tablet computers
• Smartphones
•...

If you’ve made the leap to 3D recently by purchasing a 3D-enabled TV set, you may need to upgrade your HDMI cables.

The first thing to do to found out whether you need to buy a new HDMI cable is to test out your existing one with your new 3D TV. If it works, you may think you don’t need to upgrade, but this isn’t always the case.

Many people who buy 3D TVs continue using the same HDMI cables as they used with their standard digital and HD TV sets. However, these people could be missing out the superior quality of 3D images their new device is capable of producing, simply because they are u...

Unless you have experience shopping for electronics accessories, you are likely to only know the bare minimum about them. This can make picking out the right one for you a bit tricky, especially as there is so much choice available.

One of the most frequently asked questions about electronics devices and accessories relates to HDMI cables, and it is – why are there so many different versions of HDMI cables available?

The answer to this is that HDMI specifications are constantly evolving, similarly to the way other technologies evolve. In the past, there were only basic analogue TVs and V...

When shopping for HDMI cables, you may be surprised at the range of different cables there are available. Some people mistakenly believe that all HDMI cables are the same, but this isn’t the case at all.

One of the options you may come across when buying new HDMI cables are gold-plated cables, which may be a little more expensive than the standard variety. But are these cables worth the extra money? How do they work, and what benefits do they offer to the user?

The main reason gold-plated HDMI cables exist is to provide optimum signal clarity, working alongside a range of other features, ...

There is no standard length in place for HDMI cables, but some are known to lose signal strength and drop a few points in performance when they are very long in length.

This is why, if you need to run your HDMI cables between rooms, across huge spaces or even use them for public displays and events, you will need to find out how to do it without losing any signal strength or quality.

The first thing to do is to look for HDMI cables that are specially designed for longer runs. These are likely to contain signal boosters and other devices to maintain the quality and strength of the signal.

I...

Amongst the many functions and features HDMI cables offer, there is something known as HDCP. This is commonly found in most HDMI cables, but not everyone understands what it is or why it is important, so let’s take a look.

HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, and it is a form of digital copy protection. The system is designed to stop digital audio and video content from being copied as it travels through HDMI cables and other connections.

How does HDCP work?

There are three parts to an HDCP protected system – the HDCP transmitter (e.g. the DVD player), the digital int...

Anyone who has ever used an HDMI cable before will know that this digital technology is far superior to any of the analogue cables that came before it, and it is also more suitable for emerging technologies in the home entertainment market.

However, some people insist on hanging on to their old analogue cables, such as SCART and S-Video for example, despite the fact that they are fast becoming outdated. If you need persuading to make the switch to HDMI cables, take a look at the following three reasons why HDMI is the way forward:

1. Ease of use. HDMI cables are able to carry both audio ...

Contrary to what some people believe, there is not just one type of HDMI cable. You can find different versions and lengths of HDMI cable, as well as those which offer different functions, speeds and capabilities.

One of the most common confusions when shopping for HDMI cables is the difference between standard cables and those that are billed as ‘high speed’ HDMI cables. The question most people want answered is whether it is worth shelling out a little more money for the latter variety, or whether standard HDMI cables will suffice.

Let’s look at standard HDMI cables first. These have be...

Picking out exactly the right HDMI cable for your needs isn’t always as easy as you may think. You have to know a bit about what you’re looking for before you start shopping. The following few pointers should help you out, however.

1. HDMI cable version
There are several versions of HDMI cable available, as the HDMI standards have been revised many times over the years. Each version has additional and more advanced features, so if you’re buying the latest 3D TV or another piece of advanced technology, you need to buy the latest version of HDMI cable. This is the HDMI 1.4 cable.

2. HDMI ca...

One of the main benefits of HDMI cables is that they carry both audio and video signals, which means that you only need one cable whereas in the past you would have needed at least two. This can completely de-clutter your home entertainment system, as well as making it quicker and easier to connect everything up.

However, there are situations where you may need to connect more than one HDMI-enabled device to your TV. Most new TVs have three or four HDMI ports for you to use for connecting devices, but some older or lower budget TVs may not. Even if you have four HDMI cable ports availab...

It’s good news for both 3D TV fans and HDMI cable users this month as Nvidia has announced the launch of its brand new 3D Vision 2 Wireless Glasses, which will allow you to enjoy mind-blowing stereoscopic 3D TV, gaming and movies from the comfort of your very own living room.

This innovative product has an increased lens size compared to other similar 3D glasses, and it has a clever wraparound design so that the viewer suffers no peripheral interruptions to their 3D viewing experience.

The glasses also work well with Nvidia’s own LightBoost 3D technology, which is a layer of film across ...

When you shop for new electronics devices for your home entertainment system, you need to ensure that you also get the right HDMI cables to enable you to connect everything up. However, there are also a few HDMI-related questions you need to ask about the device itself, before you buy it.

How many HDMI ports does it have?

Some devices, such as HD TV sets, have three or four HDMI ports, whilst others only have one or two. You need to work out how many you think you will need, depending on how many devices you want to connect together. If there aren’t enough ports but you have set your hear...

HDMI cables offer users many fantastic features and functions to use and enjoy, but none is quite so useful as CEC. This stands for Consumer Electronics Control, and it allows you to control and switch between all HDMI-connected devices in your home entertainment system using just the one remote.

The following are the main CEC which are carried through HDMI cables:

• System standby – this switches all HDMI-connected devices to standby status
• Timer programming – this allows one device, such as your TV set, to control the timer programming of another, such as your DVD or Blu-ray player
• O...

Unless you are something of a technical whizz, there are likely to be many things about your home entertainment system that you don’t fully understand. Take your HDMI cables and how they work, for example. These brilliant devices have many useful features and functions to make life easier for home entertainment fans, but not everyone knows how to make the best of them.

One of these features is something known as CEC, which stands for Consumer Electronics Control. This is a technology that is included in many HDMI cables, and all versions from HDMI 1.0 to HDMI 1.4 cables should have it.

T...

HDMI cable owners in Korea will soon be able to enjoy watching their favourite 3D films on the new passive 3D projector launched by LG Electronics.

The projector boasts some pretty impressive features. As well as a 200-inch wide screen, the Model CF3DAT 3D projector will use 2D to 3D conversion technology to display full HD 3D images. It will be capable of 1920 x 1080 resolution and it has a brightness of 1250 ANSI lumens, which LG claims is around six times brighter than other projectors.

The president and CEO of the LG Home Entertainment Company, Havis Kwon, described how the company ho...

As home electronic devices have proliferated, so has the problem of unsightly and jumbled cords. The more we developed the ability to connect those devices together, the more cords increased still more. Besides being a pain to set up, those cords are messy, collect dirt and constitute a possible fire hazard in some cases. Recently manufacturers have worked to reduce that number, but HDMI cords can still ruin the aesthetic of a flat screen TV hanging on a wall, and limit where you can place your electronics.

One solution has been offered by, as Amimon, an Israeli-based fabless semi-conduct...

The number of vehicles incorporating automotive video systems has been increasing steadily and it’s only logical for car manufacturers to want to incorporate HDMI connectivity into vehicles. HDMI 1.4 provides the solution to these demands with the automotive connection system which was designed specifically to cater to the demands of watching HD video on a dashboard display or seatbacks while driving.

What is the Automotive Connection System?

To understand the automotive connection system, you need to know its key elements which are:

• A special Automotive HDMI cable that was specifically desi...

Sorting your way through the huge number of video cables available these days to find the one you need can be a bit of a nightmare, and one of the most common problems people have is not knowing the differences between DVI and HDMI cables.

This confusion is understandable, as both DVI cables and HDMI cables are digital video connector interfaces. They offer similar features, but HDMI is known to deliver far superior quality and performance.

This is because, generally speaking, HDMI cables are DVI cables with the following features added:

• Up to 8 audio channels, included in the same cable
•...

When you upgrade your existing cables to HDMI cables, you will notice a huge difference in the way you are able to use and enjoy your home entertainment system. Let’s look at a few of the ways HDMI cables can change your life:

1. Fewer cables
One HDMI cable can replace as many as 11 analogue cables. Each is able to carry both audio and digital video signals, so there is no need for all the extra cables. Therefore, your home entertainment system can be much simpler to set up and use, and it also looks less cluttered.

2. Higher quality video
The moment you switch on your new HDMI-connected sy...

If you want to get the very best performance and gaming quality out of your PS3 console, the best thing to do is to invest in a High Definition or even a 3D-enabled TV screen. This will enable you to enjoy fantastic picture and graphics quality, as well as giving you access to HD and 3D games.

In order to connect your PS3 to an HD TV, you will need an HDMI cable. This is the only digital cable that is able to offer exceptional support for high resolution TV viewing and gaming, but it is a relatively inexpensive cable to buy.

Once you have your HD TV, your PS3 and your HDMI cable, you are ...

HDMI cables come with many different connector types, as well in a number of different versions and a range of lengths. This is to ensure that they can be used for virtually scenario, so that you are never inconvenienced and can always enjoy the superior quality and performance HDMI is known for.

If you plan to run your cables for greater than standard distances, you will need to buy long HDMI cables. You can find HDMI cables that are up to 25 metres in length, but the question most people ask is whether these long cables are able to offer the same quality?

Generally speaking, most standa...

When you unpack your brand new PS3 out of its box for the very first time, all you want to do is connect it up and start playing. However, if you don’t have the right connector cables, you either won’t be able to enjoy your PS3 right away or you’ll be missing out on a world of High Definition quality.

PS3 consoles are designed so that they are compatible with a range of different connector cables, including a few older style analogue cables. These cables will allow you to play on your PS3, but they won’t give you the immersive and genuinely enhanced gaming experience that HDMI cable con...

The latest development in the cutting edge world of home entertainment, head-mounted 3D display glasses, have spawned a new product.

The Moverio, recently unveiled by Epsom, looks like a high-tech pair of glasses and packs a big tech punch with 0.52 inch screen for each eye. Each display lens is transparent too so you are aware of your environment; great to sync in with the coming wave of augmented reality software on the horizon.

These clever glasses, hooked up by HDMI cable to a portable film of game player, give the impression that you’re actually watching a massive 320-inch screen ev...

There is exciting news for fans of 3D technology this month, as Panasonic has launched its smallest 3D camera to date.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 allows you to switch between 2D and 3D when taking pictures virtually anywhere, then play them back in glorious full colour quality via an HDMI cable and an appropriate screen or display.

This means you can capture stunning HD videos, take all of your holiday snaps in state-of-the-art 3D, and enjoy the ultimate 3D photo or video slideshow when you get home. All you need is the right HDMI cable and a 3D TV, monitor or projector screen, and you can...

Many people have a lot of questions about HDMI cables and how they work, but the answers aren’t always easy to find or easy to understand. Such curiosity about HDMI cables is understandable, as it is important to know everything you can about an advanced piece of technology before spending your hard-earned money on it.

In the first part of this guide, we briefly answered a couple of the most commonly asked questions about HDMI cables. Let’s take a look at a couple more…

What video types do HDMI cables support?

HDMI cables have the capacity to support everything from standard definition (PA...

Unless you are a huge technology or home electronics buff, you are likely to have many questions about HDMI cables. Of course, all you really need to know is that they are the ideal digital alternative to outdated analogue connector systems, but it can still be useful to know more about HDMI cables.

The following are a few of the most commonly asked questions about HDMI cables and a brief answer to each.

What are the benefits of HDMI cables for consumers?

There are three main benefits of HDMI cables for consumers, which include:

1. HDMI cables offer superior digital video and audio quality, al...

There are hundreds and possibly even thousands of products out there that can be connected to your home entertainment system using HDMI cables. All you have to do is to take your pick, design your own dream home entertainment system, then make sure you have everything you need to enjoy the very latest technology.

The Sky+ HD box is one such innovation, which many TV and film fans swear by these days. This amazing device allows you to view the widest range of High Definition TV channels in the UK, as well as being able to store up to 60 hours of hand-picked HD entertainment. You can recor...

HDMI cables are designed to be useful with a huge range of different devices, and in a number of different situations.

It used to be the case that HDMI connectivity could only be enjoyed in the home, but there are now HDMI cables and accessories that are designed for use on the move. This means you can enjoy the benefits of HDMI whilst travelling, on holiday or even in the boardroom.

One of the features which make HDMI cables so flexible and versatile is the many connector types they come with. You can find standard HDMI cable connectors for use in home entertainment systems and even autom...

HDMI cables are sure to be flying off the shelves this Christmas, with sales of gadgets like Wii, Xbox 360, PS3 and BluRay players set to defy the recession, HDMI cables will be in big demand. And with good reason. With HDMI cables, high definition gaming and TV becomes the standard in your home and will exponentially increase your appreciation of your toys and gizmos during the festive season.

HDMI cables transform party games like Wii Sports 2 in to eye popping visual experiences that will enchant the whole family. Christmas movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and Polar Express look stu...

The world of home entertainment is changing all the time, and it is moving faster than most other technologies can cope with. This is the same for analogue connector cables, which are simply unable to keep up with changes and advances in home entertainment technology.

The unique thing about HDMI, a new digital way to connect home entertainment devices, is that it is constantly being revised to incorporate support for a range of new technologies. This allows it to keep up with technological improvements better than other cables.

With each revision, new features are added. With the latest ve...

Too many people these days are clinging onto old, outdated forms of technology in their homes, simply because they don’t what else is out there. But by doing so, these people are missing out on an exciting new world of home entertainment and gaming.

Take the example of HDMI cables, which have pretty much replaced traditional analogue connectors such as SCART leads and S-Video cables. The reason they have done so is because they are digital connectors capable of supporting a whole range of different devices and technologies, whilst their analogue predecessors simply can’t keep up.

HDMI con...

Anyone who is a fan of 3D technology will be excited to learn that ViewSonic has launched a brand new 23 inch LED 3D monitor onto the market.

The visual display, computing products and communications company has produced a new 3D monitor which has more impressive features than many others of its kind in the market right now. It includes Tri-Def 2D to 3D gaming conversion, as well as 1920 x 1080 picture resolution. Viewers can also enjoy a dynamic contrast ration of 200,000,000:1 and a super fast response time of 2ms.

The ViewSonic V3D231 monitor also comes with a pair of clip-on 3D lense...

Whether you are a seasoned gamer or are new to the wonderful world of gaming, there is one accessory you simply can’t be without – HDMI cables.

HDMI cables allow you to enjoy the latest innovations in gaming, simply because older, more traditional analogue cables cannot support the technology. If you have a PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii or any other of the latest games consoles, you need to be able to connect them using an interface that supports them.

Gaming is an immersive experience, and the best games are those that are rich in detail as well as in plot and interactivity. This is why p...

Technology can be a tricky business, leaving most of us unable to use all of the features and functions on our home entertainment devices simply because we don’t know how.

One of the most common problems is how to connect your laptop computer to your TV in order to play or stream video content. We know it can be done, but how?

The first thing you need to do is take a look at your laptop. Try to identify what connector ports it has, looking out for both DVI and HDMI connectors. Older laptops may be more likely to have RCA or S-Video ports, making it more difficult for you to connect it to ...

Due to the huge amount of choice available nowadays when it comes to home entertainment technology, some of us are finding that are existing set-ups simply aren’t up to the task.

If you have a number of devices that need plugging into the mains, but don’t have enough plug sockets available, you can now use a multi-socket extension cable. To solve a similar problem, the makers of HDMI products have now come out with something known as an HDMI splitter.

An HDMI splitter is designed to give you access to many more HDMI cable ports, so that you can connect and enjoy as many different HDMI-en...

Electronic devices can be a great gift idea, especially if the recipient is a fan of home entertainment or is a technology buff.

Many people are planning to buy their friends, family members and loved ones a home electronics gift this Christmas, with the most popular choices being smartphones, HD TVs, games consoles, laptops and mp3 players.

If you do decide to buy someone you know a gift like this for Christmas, it is very important that you also remember to get hold of all the accessories they will need to start enjoying their gift right away. There is nothing more annoying on Christmas ...

Anyone who has a home entertainment system and an interest in consumer electronics will be well aware that new technologies in this field are being worked on all the time.

However, there is always the danger that new technology could render other devices and electronics accessories obsolete. This has already happened with analogue cables, traditionally used to connect TVs and other displays with sound systems, VHS players and other components. These cables cannot be used with some of the new digital products, such as some HD LCD TV models, for example.

HDMI cables have now taken over this...

The space available for a home entertainment system will be different in every home, with some people having less space and more awkward connections to make than others. This is why the manufacturers of crucial accessories such as HDMI cables have come out with a range of what you could call ‘non-standard’ HDMI cables to suit a range of different needs.

The first of these is ultra flat HDMI cables, which are designed to fit under carpets, rugs and floors and in or on walls. They can also be discretely hidden behind bookshelves and under cabinets. They are more versatile than other types...

As soon as you begin shopping for HDMI cables, you will see that there are many different varieties available. The earliest version was the HDMI 1.0 cable, which when it was launched in 2002 met all digital home entertainment needs.

The HDMI specification has been revised over the years, with new features and capabilities added to each version. The reason this constant revision needs to happen is because the technology world moves so quickly, and new and exciting products are being launched onto the market all the time.

Two of the most commonly used versions these days are HDMI 1.3 and H...