Just like any other cable, a HDMI cable must be replaced when it gets damaged or when you do not have the version you need. The following information should help you with your decision to replace a HDMI cable.
The version is written on the cable itself or on its packaging. You can choose between:
Standard HDMI cable
This version is designed to support streaming at a maximum resolution of 1080i (1920×1080) – HD resolutions, which are usually associated with satellite television and cable television, HD digital transmission, as well as upscaling DVD players.
High speed HDMI cable
This version is designed to handle 1080p video resolution and beyond, including advanced display technologies (3D, 4K, Deep Color). If you use any of these technologies then this is the recommended cable version for you.
High speed HDMI cable with Ethernet
This version is not recommended because the Ethernet feature is not available on most audio-video devices and is known to cause ARC port problems on some devices.
If you intend to connect the cable to a monitor and a tablet, for example, to play on the TV, purchase a more expensive cable, because you will get a quality product. There are many wires inside a 50 ft HDMI cable, and cheap products are known to be sensitive to movement (those wires inside break easily). However, don’t forget one important thing: no cable, be it expensive or not, is safe when it is bent at 90 degrees.
