HDMI cables have become one of the most popular ways to connect smart devices to home theatres and other systems. It is used to transmit uncompressed video and audio from a system such as a laptop to a different receiving device like an external monitor. HDMI, also known as High-Definition Multimedia Interface, can transfer video, audio, and limited control signals. And nowadays, most smart devices and gadgets are equipped with HDMI connections to make audio and video transmission convenient.
In recent years, various types of HDMI cables have come to the market, that’s why it is essential to choose one that is suitable for your device. HDMI cables allow you to watch videos and web series from laptop to TV, and they also help you connect your sound bar or streaming box to your television. In this article, we will talk about all the main types of HDMI cable tables along with their pros and cons. So if you want to know which type of HDMI cable would be best for your needs, then stick to the very end.
HDMI Cable Types
1. Standard (Category 1)
The standard HDMI cables are designed to handle the commonly used applications. They are generally utilized for HDTV cable, satellite TV, and other systems that feature a resolution of up to 1080i or 720p. These applications have a bandwidth capacity of 5Gbps. Nowadays, most people prefer High-Speed HDMI cables as the standard ones are not compatible with higher resolution applications. Though if you use projectors or DVD players for entertainment, standard HDMI cables would work perfectly.
Pros of Standard HDMI cables:
- These are the general format of an HDMI connector
- These are available on most audio devices
- Most gaming consoles work with standard HDMI cables
Cons of Standard HDMI cables:
- These cables don’t support 4k or later resolutions
- They are not compatible with modern refresh rates
2. Standard with Ethernet
These cables are like the modified version of the standard HDMI cables. It comes with the same capabilities, but the difference is that it is equipped with an HDMI Ethernet Channel. The foundational performance of this HDMI cable is similar to the previous one, but you also get a dedicated channel for device networking. Though it also does not support the 4K resolution, you can still use it if both connected devices feature an HDMI Ethernet Channel.
Pros:
- These cables have a better transmission speed
- They are slightly more secured and protected
- It provides decent performance if you use it for the right applications
Cons:
- These cables are also not compatible with 4K resolution
- The applications that use this mechanism are very few
3. High Speed (Category 2)
These cables are designed to handle bigger and better video resolutions. They are compatible with 1080p up to 4K. High-speed cables can also support 3D, deep color and other advanced display technologies. This type of cable works the best when you are connecting a 1080p display to a 1080p receiver. It can support bandwidth transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which makes it a good performer.
Pros:
- These cables come with the ability to support higher resolutions such as 4K
- You can use it for devices with advanced display technologies
- It can handle bigger refresh rates and bandwidth
Cons:
- They might be ineffective with a bigger FPS project
- They can be costly, depending on the length you need
4. High Speed with Ethernet
As the name suggests, these cables are similar to the previous high-speed cables, but they are equipped with an HDMI Ethernet Channel, which is a dedicated data channel. This type of cable can also support the 4k resolution and advanced display technologies. However, the HDMI Ethernet Channel must be enabled in both connected applications. Nowadays, the majority of the products come with HDMI compatibility, but if you have systems that support Ethernet streaming channels, you can use this cable.
Pros:
- This cable is compatible with higher resolution such as 4K
- It supports advanced display technologies
- It can handle bigger bandwidth
Cons:
- Not many modern devices are compatible with these types of cables
- It can’t handle 8k resolution applications
5. Category 3 (4K)
These are premium high-speed HDMI cables designed to provide reliable performance while transferring Ultra HD or 4K video. This type of cable is equipped with amazing features such as expanded color spaces, HDR, 4K60, etc. It comes with a cable bandwidth support of 18Gbps and is compatible with 4:4:4 chroma sampling.
Pros:
- It provides great performance with 4K applications
- It has a good bandwidth support
- It comes with great features HDR and chroma sampling
Cons:
- It won’t be the best for 8K resolution applications
6. Category 3 (8K)
These are Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables that come with all the features of other HDMI cables, along with the ability to support 8K video and even 10K resolution. It can easily provide Table of HDMI Cable Types high bandwidth features, including 8K (1328×7760), 4k, and 5k at 120Hz. It is integrated with EMI that minimizes the disturbance caused by neighboring wireless devices. This cable also comes with the HDMI Ethernet Channel and supports 48 Gbps bandwidth.
Pros:
- It performs great with all resolutions
- The 48Gbps bandwidth provides great performance
- It can support resolutions at 120 Hz
Cons:
- As compared to others, it is expensive
Table Of HDMI Cable Types
| Cable Type | Resolution | Bandwidth |
| Standard (Category 1) | 1080i or 720p | 4.95 Gb/s |
| Standard with Ethernet | 1080i or 720p, along with a dedicated HDMI Ethernet Channel | 4.95 Gb/s |
| High Speed (Category 2) | 1080p
4K @ 30 Hz |
10.2 Gb/s |
| High Speed with Ethernet | 1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz, along with a dedicated HDMI Ethernet Channel | 10.2 Gb/s |
| Category 3 (4K) | 4K @ 60 Hz | 18 Gb/s |
| Category 3 (8K) | 8K @ 60 Hz
4K @ 120 Hz |
48 Gb/s |
Conclusion
HDMI cables are available in a wide variety and manufactured keep introducing their updated versions to improve the performance and output. As technology is advancing, HDMI cables are also getting major enhancements. That’s why you must learn about them to utilize them more effectively. If you love watching content in higher resolution, then you should consider modern high-speed HDMI cables as they support the new technologies better.
We have included everything above, so we hope that now it would be easier for you to choose an HDMI cable that supports the functionality and capability of your device.
