What Does HDMI Stand For?

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface.

What is HDMI?

HDMI was developed as a new audio/video cable standard when the industry started manufacturing electronics with digital technology, replacing older analog machines. A coalition of major electronics manufacturers worked together to develop HDMI technology. HDMI 1.0 was first introduced to the open market in 2002.

Does HDMI Support 4k?

The current standard version of HDMI, HDMI 2.0, fully supports 4k video. This version of HDMI was released in September 2013. HDMI 1.4 cables, the standard from 2009 to fall 2013, have limited 4k support. Older HDMI cables do not support 4k.

Does HDMI Carry Audio?

Yes, HDMI is an audio/video cable. An extractor can be used to separate the audio & video signals into separate lines.

How to Connect an HDMI Cord?

Simply plug one end of the HDMI cable into the audio/video source and the other to the audio/video display. Make sure the display is on the correct HDMI input and the sound/images should display automatically.

How Much Does an HDMI Cord Cost?

At ShowMeCables, a basic HDMI cable starts at $2.70 and goes up to $13.54, depending on the length of the cable. Higher quality cables with greater durability are also available. Electronics retailers commonly mark up HDMI cables but the signal quality will be the same on any cable built to current industry standards (HDMI 2.0).

How Long Can an HDMI Cable Be?

A standard HDMI cable has a maximum length of 65 feet. Fiber HDMI cables can go up to 200 feet. Extenders allow HDMI signals to travel through Ethernet or coax cables with a maximum distance of 2,500 feet. 

What are Alternatives to HDMI?

DisplayPort is HDMI’s main competitor. It does everything HDMI can do a little better but is typically only available on computer monitors. DVI and VGA cables can be used with older electronics, but are not as good as HDMI and usually unavailable on new machines.

Is HDMI Digital or Analog?

HDMI is a digital cable and compatible with other types of digital cables using adapters. A converter can be used to connect HDMI to analog electronics.

Is HDMI Powered?

Yes, HDMI uses copper wires to transmit electrical signals.

Is HDMI Backward-Compatible?

Yes, a new HDMI cable can be used with an older version HDMI port. Older HDMI cables can also be used with newer HDMI ports. In both cases, the signal quality will only perform up to the specs of the oldest connection.