Guide to HDMI Cables

High-Definition Media Interface (HDMI) cables, sometimes called HDMI video cables, may be your best option if you must connect computer monitors or HDTVs for your business. The cables carry uncompressed digital data from a digital source to a digital display. In practice, HDMI connects computers, cable boxes and DVD players to digital displays, projectors and HDTVs.

Since HDMI carries a digital signal, it's a better option than analog component and video graphics array (VGA) connections. It also trumps Digital Visual Interface (DVI), which doesn't carry audio signals. HDMI also incorporates High Definition Content Protection (HDCP), a type of digital content protection. Although DVI and HDMI cables are not directly compatible, there are DVI to HDMI cables and HDMI to DVI cables that carry digital video signals only.

Before you run out and buy purchase HDMI cables:

1. Educate yourself about video connection options.

2. Inventory your business equipment to determine DVI compatibility.

3. Consider length requirements as well as cable type.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Educate yourself about connectors and inventory your equipment

Take advantage of online sources to educate yourself about your connection options. Digital is best, and getting audio along with video--as with HDMI--is an added bonus. You might not need the audio that HDMI provides right now, but you might later. It comes down to what you're using the equipment for and what connector options the equipment has. Arm yourself with information on HDMI cables before finding suppliers.

I recommend: DataPro and MyCableMart.com have a good primers on HDMI technology and My Cable Mart sells a wide variety of cables.

Determine your best connection options

Now that you're loaded with HDMI cables information and understand what the various cables (HDMI, DVI, HDMI to DVI, DVI to HDMI, VGA) and connectors do, choose the most logical connection solution for your video sources and video display devices.

I recommend: Sites like D Cables and MonoPrice.com may be helpful.

Make a list and buy HDMI cables online

HDMI cable suppliers and discount HDMI cables are easy to find online. In fact, audio, video and computer cables tend to be much cheaper online than in brick-and-mortar stores. Online HDMI cable providers typically have all manner of connectors--HDMI to DVI cables, DVI/DVI cable--in every length at a fraction of typical retail prices.

I recommend: Try specialty cable websites like Computer Cable Store and Cables To Go.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Online HDMI cable providers often carry the wares of several HDMI cable suppliers and manufacturers, but usually even the cheapest HDMI cables will work for most applications.
• Many suppliers of HDMI cables give bulk discounts or free shipping on orders over a certain amount; shop around for your best HDMI video cables deal.

The official source of HDMI Cables is the HDMI Cables page at Business.com