New HDMI Certification Will Make Buying Quality Cables Easier

You’ve all heard the dogma that HDMI cables transmit digital signals, so they either work or they don’t, right? While there is a small element of truth to the oft-parroted line when using short cables, it is a myth. The quality of materials (or lack thereof) used for cabling and shielding can result in snowy pictures and electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can interfere with WiFi signals, with more chance of issues the longer the HDMI cable. The innovation of HDMI 2.0, which brings with it 4K video and 60 frames-per-second, will only increase the potential for problems, so it’s welcome news that HDMI Licensing LLC is introducing a new certification program for cables.

The Premium HDMI Cable Certification Program will make it very clear to consumers – through authentication labels, each featuring a unique QR code – which cables are the best. If a cable carries an HDMI Premium label, it has been examined at an HDMI-authorised testing center to ensure that it can deliver a bandwidth of 18Gbps and has a small EMI profile. Smartphone owners can scan the label’s QR code to ensure that the label is genuine.

Cable producers are already working with the HDMI Cable Certification Program, with certified cables to hit the market during the first quarter of 2016.

Thank you Mac World for providing us with this information.