Product Support: HDMI Cables and all HD Cables
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Information Articles
Troubleshooting
FAQs
General FAQs for this product type
These general tips apply to all our cable types.
Handle and install the cables with care
If you are planning on installing your new cables in to your wall or routing them through trunking, pay extra attention to the way that you handle the cables and in particular the actual connectors. All HDCable.co.uk cables are built to the highest specifications but due to their complex nature they can also be very fragile. When installing the cables try not to bend or cause any unnecessary strain on the cable head. When connecting the cable to your display device, try and feel out the input before inserting the cable. Incorrectly inserting a cable upside down or in the wrong port can cause a fault in the cable and we do test for this!
If you can, try and keep your AV cabling away from power leads
All our HDMI, Component and DisplayPort cables are shielded which means that placing them near power leads shouldn't cause problems, However, if you can, it's still a good idea to keep the two cables apart.
What is the difference between the ranges?
There are three HDMI Cable ranges on the HDCable.co.uk - Infinius, Platinum and Pro-2. The primary difference between all the cable ranges is down to the materials used in their construction and the added benefits that they give the consumer. Infinius cables are built to the highest standard using the best quality copper and are designed in the UK. The cables are also protected by a nylon braid, which make them more suitable for trunking and professional installations. The Platinum Range is our mid-priced cable product which takes elements from the Infinius Range and Pro-2. Finally, the Pro-2 is our standard range of cabling - the headshells are constructed from plastic moulds and their design, components and finish are of a lower grade, compared to the Platinum and Infinius Ranges.
However, we believe our cable construction is so good that we will put our money where our mouth is offering a Lifetime Warranty on all three cable ranges.
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High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet 1.4 Cable
Troubleshooting
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FAQs
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Standard HDMI Cable
Troubleshooting
I have plugged in my HDMI Cable and nothing appears on the the display device - is the cable broken?
It is very rare that any of our HDMI Cables arrive to you faulty. Therefore, it is important to ascertain what is at fault before getting in touch with the customer care team at HDCable.co.uk Firstly, ensure that the output mode on your source device is set to output HDMI and that you have selected HDMI on your display device. If nothing happens still, try another port on your device. Failing that try testing the cable on another piece of equipment. If that then fails, please get in contact with HD Cable Customer Support.
There is a short delay before any picture appears - is this ok?
Yes, this is fine and not a fault with your HDMI Cable. During this short delay (it can be up to 3 seconds depending on source and display device) essential copyright checks are being made.
FAQs
Do you lose any visual quality with long/cheaper HDMI Cables?
In a short answer, no. No sound or video quality loss can occur with a digital cable. Blacks, for example, do not appear darker or more vivid from one cable to the next - in the same regard, pictures can not become fuzzy or suffer image/sound loss because the cable length is simply made longer. However, it does pay to do your research if you want to know more about HDMI signal technology and how it works, we suggest visiting GBHDMI - a news resource for all things HDMI related.
What is the maximum length that I can run a standard HDMI Cable?
Our HDMI Cables have all been tested to deliver a 1080p signal over a distance of 15m. Depending on source and display device, this length can vary, and sometimes even extend this limit. For guaranteed results, it is recommended that other technologies such as HDMI over Cat 5 are used.
What will this HDMI Cable with, is it the best connection that I can have?
Yes. If your TV or display device has a HDMI port and you have a HD capable device (we will mention the most common) it is highly advisable that you use a HDMI Cable to connect up the two. Typically, you can connect devices such as Blu-ray and up-scalling DVD players, SkyHD and V+ boxes, Playstation 3 and Xbox360 gaming consoles. Some modern graphics cards and laptops will also feature HDMI ports allowing you to connect your computer easily to a HDTV.
What is the difference between your HDMI cable and other high street brands?
There is no difference in performance that’s for sure. The only difference is price. It is precisely because we do not sell our products on the high street that we are able to keep our prices so much lower. Buying directly from HD Cable means you are buying directly from the manufacturer and cutting out the middle-men. Without them taking their cut along the way, we are able sell our cables at a much lower retail price without compromising on the cable’s quality.
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HDMI to DVI Cables
Troubleshooting
I have attached this cable and I'm not getting any sound.
Although HDMI and DVI connections are compatible, DVI does not support sound. HDMI will carry audio and video - DVI will carry only video.
FAQs
Where would I use a HDMI to DVI connection?
DVI is typically found on computer monitors and projectors - some brands of HDTV will also feature a DVI connection.
Does HDMI to DVI carry sound?
No.
Is there any way to enable HDMI to DVI cables so that they can carry sound?
Generally speaking, no. Some computer graphics cards will sell adapters to enable you to take sound through the connection but we would recommend that you check with your manufacturer whether or not this is supported.
Can I use the HDMI to DVI cable the other way i.e DVI to HDMI?
Yes. The cable can be used both ways.
Is there any picture quality loss in the conversion?
As both HDMI and DVI signals are digital - no picture quality can be possible.
Are these cables 1.3, 1.4 compliant?
HDMI to DVI cables do not need to adhere to any compliance.
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HDMI Mini Cable
Troubleshooting
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FAQs
When would I need to use this type of HDMI Mini Cable
Most commonly, this cable is used to connect smaller, more portable HD devices such as HD camcorders and digital cameras to a HD display.
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NintendoWii Component Cables
Troubleshooting
I'm getting a grey picture on the screen and no sound, why is this?
This usually occurs when the lead is incorrectly connected to the TV or projector. Ensure that you have correctly connected the Red, Green and Blue leads in to their appropriate ports. It is also common that customers will try to connect this cable to the composite (Yellow, Red and White) ports on their TVs. Do not plug this cable in to your Composite Port - doing so might damage your cable.
The graphics still look the same, I thought it is supposed to be in HD now?
You will need to set your Wii to output in HD 480p mode before you see and difference!
FAQs
Does this cable improve my Nintendo Wii graphics?
Yes. This cable allows your Nintendo Wii to output in a 480p HD resolution. This is a marked improvement over the Standard Definition picture.
What is the main difference between the standard Wii cable and the audio break out cable?
The audio breakout cable Wii HD Component Cable enables the user to route the audio away from their TV to another device such as an amplifier or surround sound receiver. This cable is perfect in those situations where you want sound to come from external speakers rather than just your TV. For this reason, this product is more suitable for home cinema setups and commercial environments such as bars and pubs.
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DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort for Mac Cables
Troubleshooting
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FAQs
What is the difference between DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort?
It might help first to distinguish where you would use Mini DisplayPort Cables. Mini DisplayPort is used almost exclusively on Apple Mac computers and their displays. Standard DisplayPort appears on some brands of HDTV but seems to be appearing more on computer hardware rather than A/V entertainment electronics.
Which types of product support DisplayPort?
Several major companies are now shipping products that include DisplayPort technology with more on the way. Dell Computers and Hewlett Packard computer monitors as well as Samsung HDTVs are beginning to incorporate DisplayPort support. In October 2008, Apple introduced several products featuring a Mini DisplayPort as their sole video connector. Apple has indicated that this was a first step in transitioning their line of products to DisplayPort technology. It is anticipated that PC manufacturers will adopt DisplayPort as a solution for connecting all types of displays–including monitors, projectors and HDTVs–with a single connector. DisplayPort will also be adopted in LCD panels as an LVDS replacement. DisplayPort is set to become more and more common in Europe and America after becoming an extremely commonplace connector in China.
Will DisplayPort Cables work with standards like HDMI and VGA, or replace them?
DisplayPort is designed to replace LVDS, DVI and eventually VGA. While DisplayPort has a rich A/V feature set, it is expected to complement, not replace, HDMI, and the connector is compatible with HDMI signals. A multi-mode device that implements both HDMI and DisplayPort only needs a simple cable adapter to make an HDMI connection.
How can a DisplayPort Cable be implemented with existing TVs and other products with HDMI and DVI connections?
We have a range of specific DisplayPort adapters including DisplayPort to DVI, DisplayPort to HDMI and DisplayPort to VGA adapters.
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