How to Use HDMI Converter Cables and Adapters

 
HDMI Cables are the easiest way to make connections for a rapidly growing number of consumer electronics devices. All new HDTVs and DVD and Blu-ray players come with HDMI ports. At an increasing rate, portable devices like digital cameras, camcorders and cell phones have a form of the interface included. Computers, monitors and gaming systems are also adopting the interface.
For devices that are equipped with standard HDMI ports, connection is simply a matter of connecting the cable. Beyond just the cable, however, there are a number of accessories available that can help consumers customize HDMI connectivity to meet special circumstances.
Some devices, particularly portable ones, may have smaller versions of HDMI which require an adapter. Many older products are equipped with connectors that can be easily adapted to HDMI with the use of cables or converters. This article will help you decide what is necessary and available to make the most of HDMI connectivity.
The short answer is yes but it the type of format determines the conversion method that’s needed. Other formats that one is likely to want to hook up to an HDMI connection include DVI, VGA, USB, Component and S-Video.
DVI
DVI, or Digital Video Interface, connections are a popular, high-quality way to make the connection between graphics cards and LCD or LED monitors. They’re also used to connect HDTVs to components like Blu-ray players. In that both signals are digital, conversion of HDMI to DVI is simply a matter of installing a HDMI to DVI conversion cable. There is one caveat, however. Whereas HDMI carries both video and audio signals, DVI transports only video so separate audio cables are required.
VGA
Video Graphics Array, better known as VGA, is a very common way of connecting computers to monitors. If you want to connect a computer, whether laptop or desktop, to a HDTV, a VGA to HDMI converter is likely to be the best bet. The process is more complex than converting DVI to HDMI because the VGA signal is analog. VGA to HDMI converter boxes are available to do the job. The analog signal is carried from the computer to the converter by a VGA cable and comes out as a digital signal that is sent to the HDTV via HDMI cable. Some audio-video receivers have a VGA to HDMI converter built in.
Component and S-Video
If you need to connect a device, such as a DVD player or VCR that only has component audio output available, and need to connect it to the HDMI port on an HDTV, you’ll need a Component to HDMI converter. As with VGA signals, component signals are analog so have to be converted to digital to connect to an HDMI interface. There are converters that go the opposite direction, converting HDMI’s digital signal to analog component signals but we don’t recommend them because the HDCP copyright protection of HDMI is likely to render the converted signal unusable.
Similarly, there are converters that will upscale S-Video output to HDMI.
USB
USB connections have become the most common outputs for computers. Any USB output can be made compatible with a HDMI input by using a USB to HDMI converter box.
Connecting Different Sizes of HDMI Cables
There are three types of HDMI connectors currently available given that the larger Type B interface with 29 pins isn’t in use. Type A is the standard sized HDMI cable. The outside width of the male connector is 13.9mm and it contains 19 pins.
The spread of HDMI connectivity to portable devices has brought about two smaller connector sizes which contain 19 pins and work seamlessly with the standard Type A connections with the use of simple adapter cables. Type C, widely known as Mini HDMI Cable is common on devices like digital cameras and camcorders. Its male connector is 10.42mm wide. The newest Type D, or micro-HDMI is becoming popular on small devices like smartphones. Its connector is just 6.4mm in width.

Offers Screwable HDMI Cables and Adapters Online

 
Offers cable program the ideal connections for all high resolution HDTV signal transmissions of video and audio data. The crucial advantage of HDMI Cables is the ability to screw them to the HDMI socket which guarantees there is no strain on the cable and so ensures optimum signal connection.
The HDMI & DVI cables have been optimized for their length and their intended use and each are manufactured from the best possible materials. Care has always been taken to ensure an appropriate price performance ratio and to avoid any "over-engineering", especially in short lengths of cable.
HDMI & DVI cables and the corresponding HDMI/DVI adaptors have been especially developed for use and high definition HDTV signals (720p / 1080i / 1080p). Copper-based cables are perfect up to a length of 10 meters, for longer distances optical cables or HDMI repeater by cinemateq should always be used. As, particularly in the case of high resolutions (1080p), this is the only way to ensure excellent signal transfer quality.
Depending upon cable length HDMI & DVI cables have variable strength special shielding with its origin in professional studio technology. These ensure optimum signal transfer without any electromagnetic interference.
All plugs are fitted with gold contacts and screw connectors in order to guarantee an optimum plug connection with optimum signal transfer. Depending upon cable length (from 1 m to 10 m) the cables have variable strength shielding in order to keep them as flexible as possible.
The Highlights
screwable & gold-plated connectors for HDMI ( & DVI)
optimized for digital HDTV signals 720p / 1080i / 1080p
specially designed for use with cinemateq products
finishing, shielding & materials from professional technology
very good price / performance ratio
flexible cable materials, for optimum placement
optimum shielding against electromagnetic environmental influences
guarantees secure high quality signal transfer for up to 10 meters
Adapted to the digital cable assortment of Sanguan the SMD-founded adapters offer gilded connections as well as knurled screws (for hand-und screwdriver turn) for the secure mounting of the DVI Cables socket at the equipment.

How do consumers benefit from HDMI cable？

Quality: HDMI Cables transfers uncompressed digital audio and video for the highest, crispest image quality.
All-Digital: High quality HDMI cables, such as Monster Cables M1000DAV M Series Reference HDMI cable, ensure an all-digital rendering of video without the losses associated with analog interfaces and their unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions.
Low-cost: When you consider what it would cost to purchase two separate high performance cables; 1 for video and 1 for audio; HDMI cables present a more cost-effective high performance solution combining both in a single cable.
Audio: HDMI cables support multiple digital audio formats, from standard stereo to multi-channel surround-sound.
Ease-of-use: HDMI cables combine video and multi-channel audio into a single cable, eliminating the cost, complexity and confusion of multiple cables currently used in many audio video systems.
Intelligence: HDMI cables support two-way communication between the video source (such as a DVD player) and the digital television, enabling new functionality such as automatic configuration and one-touch play.
What is the life expectancy of HDMI?
HDTV uses less than 1/2 of HDMI's available 5 Gbps bandwidth. With capacity to spare, HDMI can incorporate new technology advancements and capabilities long into the foreseeable future.
Is HDMI backward-compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface)?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI using the CEA-861 profile for DTVs. HDMI DTVs will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources.
Will current HD TVs and set-top boxes using DVI-HDTV be compatible with HDMI devices?
Yes. Currently there are TVs with HDMI to DVI HDTV inputs available from a variety of manufacturers. Those devices will be compatible with future HDMI-equipped products.
What types of video does HDMI support?
HDMI has the capacity to support existing high-definition video formats (720p, 1080i, and even 1080p). It also has the flexibility to support enhanced definition formats such as 480p, as well as standard definition formats such as NTSC or PAL.

Difference Between VGA Cables and HDMI Cables

Connecting a new computer monitor or high-definition display presents a potentially confusing array of options. Representing analog and digital connectivity, VGA and Best HDMI Cable connections allow differing levels of functionality and compatibility. The cable you choose for your application depends on the jacks on the source device and monitor, a need for as few cables as possible or whether certain hardware resolutions are enabled on one cable type or the other.
Image Quality Considerations
VGA, also known as D-Sub, and HDMI are largely capable of the same level of video resolution. If your television, source or monitor offers 1920-by-1080 or greater resolution, you may find the all-digital HDMI connection looks sharper and crisper. High Definition Content Protocol restrictions may allow HDMI to extend into advanced resolutions not allowed over analog VGA. Since HDCP protection is enabled over digital formats like HDMI and not analog cabling, hardware companies compensate by reducing resolution capabilities to less than the cable itself can handle. Check whether your hardware is HDCP-compliant prior to selecting a VGA or HDMI interconnect; this can be found in your user manual or product literature for this information. If so, you may be forced to use HDMI to unlock the hardware's full video performance potential.
Audio and Video
One of HDMI's key features is the ability to pass audio and video over one cable. VGA and other cabling types do not offer this, requiring a separate analog or digital audio cable for sound. Additionally, HDMI has the bandwidth needed to carry uncompressed, lossless audio formats such as DTS Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD that even optical or coaxial digital cables do not. Although improvements in audio might not be that important when connecting directly to a TV or monitor, it is important when feeding through a surround sound system. Even if the audio requirements are basic, reducing cabling quantity in any installation is typically appreciated.
Physical Characteristics
VGA cables are larger than HDMI, using rotating locking nuts to secure the cable to connected devices. HDMI uses a smaller connecting shell, but may come loose if the cable is thick and oriented vertically from the back of a television or computer monitor. VGA's 15-pin configuration spaces the pins on the connector in a wider pattern, resulting in a connector that requires marginally more room on the back of a device. Although HDMI comparatively uses 19 wires for picture, sound and data, the overall size is more svelte and friendly in a crowded jack pack.
Other Considerations
Any cable carrying a video signal is subject to the same laws of physics observed by any other electrical wire. HDMI over 50 feet is subject to signal degradation, manifesting itself by your display showing digital "snow" or intermittent images. Repeaters installed in-line on runs 50 to 100 feet or more re-generate the signal, normally solving these issues. Displayport to VGA cables carrying higher resolutions over similar distances may have a reduction in color quality, increased noise in the image or ghosting. In either case, it's important to use the shortest distance possible given your installation requirements. Additionally, should your source device have a different output connector than the monitor, inexpensive adapters are available to convert the pinouts for increased compatibility.