HDTV Information on Best HDTV Cables

Best HDTV Cables

HDTV cables are conduits of HDTV transmissions. There are mainly two kinds of HDTV connections: they can be analog or digital. Various types of HDTV cables are used for these connections. HDTV cables should be of good and top quality and well installed to guarantee and promise a fully reliable system.

HDTV Information on Analog HDTV cables

Analog HDTV signals can either be RGB (usually RGBHV) or component video (Y/Pb/Pr).

Component connections are made using RCA connectors. These connectors transfer SDTV NSTC signals from external devices such as DVD or VHS to HDTV displays. Most of the time, component cables are usually color coded: green for Y, blue for Pb and red for Pr. Audio cables are too also color-coded: red for Right audio and white for Left audio.

Seventy-five (75) ohm video coaxial cables are also suitable for these applications. These HDTV cables end with RCA plugs, BNCs or VGA monitor plugs.

HDTV INFORMATION TIP: HDTV analog signals are ten times stronger than NTSC which is amazing. HDTV signals can amazingly scale up to 35 MHz while NTSC reaches only up to 3.5 MHz. It is crucial that HDTV cables which connect devices together maintain a consistent impedance of 75 ohms. HDTV cables which do not meet proper specifications will cause ghosting or “ringing” of projected images because portions of the signal issues back and forth within the cable instead of being smoothly delivered to the screen. Ghosting or "ringing" can annoyed or even frustrate anyone watching the television.

HDTV IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Before buying any analog HDTV cables, always make sure that the device has been sweep-tested at least up to 105 MHz. Also, check that the impedance tolerance is 75 ohms within +/- 1.5 ohms.

BEST Digital HDTV cables

Digital HDTV cables exist in SDI or Serial Digital Interface. However, this type of very strong cable is still unavailable for now in the market. In the commerically avaliable are the DVI (Digital Visual Interface) and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface ).

Bi-directional connection between computers and monitors is possible through dual-channel versions of DVI. These connections carry only video. Audio must otherwise be carried by other HDTV cables.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface or HDMI  carries digital uncompressed audio between devices such as an STB and a display. Smaller connectors are used with HDMI. The HDMI HDTV cable allows for bi-directional interface also. HDMI uses a 19 pin connector for single link or a larger 29 pin connector for dual link.

Cables to interconnect DVI and HDMI devices are also available in the market.

Digital Visual Interface or DVI and HDMI are grouped and categorized by very short cable lengths because they are designed to house a copy-protection scheme to prevent any copying of any forms. Digital HDTV cables use twisted-pair cable not coaxial cables which analog HDTV cables normally use. DVI and HDMI work almost without any problems over short distances but some low-quality and deficient cables falter even in short distances.

Currently and practically no digital HDTV cable works beyond fifty feet. Pre-formed DVI cables up to 10 ft. in length are available in the market. If you need longer lengths,it require specialized materials and are more expensive than usual.Although digital interconnections produce the highest and most excellent video and audio quality, running over long distances is the main limitation of digital HDTV cables currently.

HDTV Information on Other HDTV cables avaliable in the Market

S-Video Cables. are used in some televisions to improve picture quality of NTSC signals. Audio must be interconnected separately using RCA cables. S-Video cables are available in any length you want.

F Cables are coaxial cables with F-connectors used to connect to antennas or satellite dishes to the TV cable system. Several possible cables are selected depending on the length needed. RG-59 is acceptable for short lengths but a low-loss cable is needed for roof-top antennas.

Mini DB 15 RGB Monitor Cables are used to connect PC to HDTV displays with analog RGB interfaces. These cables extend up to 5 meters. Special cables are needed beyond this length. Screw locks secure the connectors to warrant a firm connection.

Firewire/1394 is designed for digital video connections.  Audio and video are carried together. The four pin version is the most common but six pin versions are also available for some devices. Prefabricated HDTV cables like these are up to 3 meters.

Dolby Digital audio in SPDIF format is frequently transmitted in optical form.  Fiber link, an optical fiber cable which is also called “optical audio output cable”, may be employed to send these transmissions to the decoder in the audio system. Excessive bending or twisting of these cables must be avoided as not to break the fiber inside.

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