Do longer HDMI cables cause loss of quality?

A recurring concern when using HDMI cables is what is the maximum length of an HDMI cable to use without causing a loss of quality. It is one of the most used connections in the world for audio and video (AV)making it compatible with everything from TVs and AV receivers to soundbars and streaming devices.

Consequently, HDMI cables come in a variety of sizes, and unfortunately the answer is a little more complex than a simple number. In terms of length, at Kabum, they vary from 1.5 meters to 100 meters, ranging from R$7.99 to R$1,300.00.

But wait, the HDMI signal is digital. So the video is always identical to the original when the bits arrive correctly. If the bits they do not arrive correctly, there is a loss of quality and visible failures occur such as screen flickering, lost frames, distorted colors and square drizzle.

It turns out that HDMI performance is influenced by variables like resolution, refresh rate, materials used in the HDMI cable, and whether the wire is passive or active. There is, however, a range considered safe by AV professionals, which is generally 7.5 to 15 meters.

Materials, for example, influence the extent to which some oxidize more easily than others. And, when there is oxidation, there is loss to the connections. And, to give you an idea, at Kabum, a 30 meter HDMI cable can cost R$ 1,130.50. I.e, quality influences more than size.

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Sizes and operation

This does not mean that the user is at risk if they purchase a high-quality 18 meter cable. It turns out that, in general, HDMI cables longer than 15 meters are more prone to signal degradation than shorter cables.

Above 15 meters, the user is more likely to experience visual anomalies described previously. However, below that they tend to work correctly and are a true “plug and play” solution.

Problems can start when dealing with cables longer than 7.5 meters, where he will face several obstacles between the doors. This means that for short cables, the most important thing is to pay attention to the HDMI version.

In terms of prices, a 2-meter HDMI 2.1 costs R$32.99 at Kabum and a 1.5-meter model costs R$54.99. A 3-meter HDMI 2.0 model costs R$19.99 and a 10-meter model costs R$69.99. In other words, this is an obvious case in which the HDMI version influences more than the size.

Different types

One of the most common problems is the call signal attenuation. That is, as an AV signal travels through the HDMI cable, image and sound data may encounter resistance. This is usually caused by electromagnetic interference and interference from other devices and cables.

Passive HDMI cables do not have built-in amplifiers or signal boosters. However, because they are more affordable, they are widely available and tend to be the choice of most buyers.

Which, in itself, is not a problem, as long as they are used in a low interference environment.

For users who need an HDMI cable longer than 7.5 meters, it is helpful to look for active HDMI cables. They will cost more than most passive HDMI cables, but thanks to built-in amplifiers and signal boostersprovide a solid connection even when extended 30 meters or more.

The price difference is easy to identify on Amazon when searching for “active HDMI cable” (we did not find a result with this search on Kabum):

Another hurdle with HDMI is the amount of data the cables need to transfer. Higher bandwidth cables (typically classified as HDMI 2.0 and 2.1) are essential for 4K resolution, higher frame rates, and audio feedback. The HDMI ARC port on smart TVs is for this purpose.

And these higher bandwidth cables are more prone to degradation, even over short distances. Also remembering that the HDMI 2.1 version is compatible with previous versions (v2.0a, v2.0b and v1.4).

It should be noted that using an HDMI 2.0 cable on 2.1 ports can generate the perception of loss of quality, but it does not mean that the channel is losing image quality. Below you can see the differences between HDMI types and if you want to use 4K, You will need to use an HDMI 2.0 cable at a minimum.

HDMI version	v2.1	v2.0	v1.4
Resolution	8K	4K	2K
Maximum total bandwidth (Gbit/s)	48.2	18.2	10.2
Audio Channels	32	24	8
Static HDR	✔️	✔️	❌
Dynamic HDR	✔️	❌	❌
HDCP	2.2 & 2.3	2.2	1.4
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✔️	❌	❌
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✔️	❌	❌
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✔️	❌	❌
Fast Frame Transport (QFT)	✔️	❌	❌
Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✔️	❌	❌
Display Stream Compression (DSC)	✔️	❌	❌
3D	✔️	✔️	✔️

Long cables and extenders

Not every audio and video setup can be wired using shorter HDMI cables. This mainly happens in installations where the audio and video components are at one end of the room and the TV is mounted at the other..

These scenarios may require at least one long HDMI cable. Some cases reach around 30 meters of active HDMI. And there may be scenarios where the length is longer.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to extend your HDMI cables longer distances.

An alternative is to invest in HDMI extenders. Similar to active HDMI cables, extenders amplify the HDMI signal, but they do so by adapting to a completely different cable.

Among the most common types of extenders is the one that uses Cat5e/6 technology. This is a short HDMI cable connected to one end, while a Cat5e or Cat6 cable is used for the longer run. These stretches can reach over 90 meters and the signal is converted back to HDMI before reaching the TV.

On Amazon, it is possible to find an extender of up to 120 meters for R$319.99. A 60-meter model costs R$68.99. And, when researching, it is important to pay attention to which items come with the set.

Other Alternatives

Fiber optic and coaxial extenders are other cable and adapter options. Optical fiber is ideal for transmitting an HDMI connection over distances of several kilometers, while coaxial cable is best for extending signals up to 300 meters.

At Kabum, models with a fiber adapter for HDMI cost R$465.00 (10 meters) and R$859.90 (50 meters).

Another alternative is to invest in HDMI repeaters, which are devices placed at intervals along a cable to amplify the HDMI signal. On Amazon, an amplifier costs R$367.88.

And are wireless HDMI kits an option? They may be attractive at first glance, but there are cases where even the best wireless HDMI transmitters can suffer from signal degradation like a long but low-quality passive HDMI cable.

Source: BGR.

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