What Are HDMI Cables Used For?

An HDMI cable is the most convenient choice when you want to connect a source to a high-resolution display. It is one of those cables that is supported by almost all devices that are capable of displaying visuals and sending video signals.

But we often think HDMI cables were mainly used for connecting laptops or streaming boxes to the TV, but there is more to this cable than meets the eye. An HDMI cable comes helpful for a lot of purposes that you might not realize until you come to know about it.

These cables come in different connector options, and this factor has also led to an increase in variation of usage. Here we will discuss the usage of HDMI cables so that you can also use them for various purposes.

So let’s take a look at the usage of HDMI cables;

Usage of HDMI Cables

HDMI cables are used in multiple ways as modern HDMI cables are not only restricted to specific tasks. HDMI cables have advanced in a lot of ways, and it is supported by numerous devices.

So modern users have found a lot of usage of HDMI cables, and it has made connecting devices relatively seamless. Without further ado, let’s check out the usage of HDMI cables;

Showcasing Videos From Laptop to TV

The most common usage of HDMI cable is to use it for connecting a laptop to a TV and watching movies or videos. As long as both the devices come with HDMI cable, it doesn’t matter what TV or laptop you are using to watch video or movie.

However, the resolution and other visual features will depend upon both the device and HDMI cable type you are using. HDMI cables help you conveniently connect your laptop to the TV and share its screen so that you can have a big screen experience.

Setting Up a Home Theater System

Another widespread usage of HDMI cable is helping in setting up the home theater system. Whether you are connecting your home theater system to the TV or projector, HDMI cables serve as the best option to get the ideal AV quality.

An HDMI cable not only transfers signal at its highest quality but also allows audio to be transferred with all its channel requirements. Most modem home theater systems are capable of displaying movies at 4K, so HDMI serves as the obvious choice.

Notably, modern HDMI cables come with the support of HDR, VCC, eARC, and many other features that are common in home theater systems.

Connecting Laptop or PC To A Secondary Monitor

Previously, VGA cables were used in laptops or PCs to connect them to a secondary monitor. But currently, it has been replaced by HDMI cables.

It not only maintains the quality but doesn’t show any lag, even if you are playing high-resolution visuals. Secondary monitors are widely used by developers, online stock traders, video editors, game developers, and many other users, as they need separate screens.

The HDMI cables make it easy for users to utilize two displays at once, and it is effortless to set up.

Hooking the TV or Projector To HD STB

Most HD STB nowadays needs an HDMI cable to display the content on the TV or projector’s screen. Since modern STBs display full HD or 4K channels, HDMI serves as the best choice for high-quality output.

However, the use of HDMI cables varies from STB to STB because not all STB uses the same type of connector. Apart from STBs, free-to-air decoders also utilize HDMI cables for transmitting visuals on the TV or projector’s screen.

Using Streaming Box On TV or Projector

HDMI cables serve as the only option to establish a connection between the streaming box to the TV or projector’s screen. Since OTT apps are taking over conventional STB channels, the demand for streaming boxes is increasing.

Whether you are using FireStick, Apple TV, MI box, or Roku express, you will need an HDMI cable to connect them because they get an HDMI connector.

Generally, most streaming boxes, especially those of 4K capabilities, require premium HDMI cables as they are able to display content at their highest quality.

Setting Up Home Office or Workstation

We generally think HDMI cables are only useful for transmitting AV signals. But you will be surprised to know it also helps in setting up a home office or workstation and allows you to work remotely.

HDMI cables with HEC capability allow you to connect multiple devices and use one broadband connection for all.

Most importantly, modern HDMI has implemented many advanced features that help in setting up a small-scale workstation in your home.

Pairing A Soundbar To a TV or Projector

The addition of features like ARC and eARC has led users to pair their soundbar to a TV or projector. The soundbar is a convenient choice for many users as most modern TVs and projectors come with a poor inbuilt speaker.

A soundbar, when connected through an HDMI cable, creates not only a mesmerizing sound quality but also a seamless setup. Moreover, modern HDMI cables come with the support of Dolby Atmos, Dolby HD, and many other similar audio features, so it allows you to get the best output.

However, to set up the soundbar, your TV or projector must come with the support of ARC or eARC, or else you won’t get sound.

Installing Security System

You will be surprised to know HDMI cables are widely used when it comes to video security systems. Most modern security cameras come with high-resolution feed, and you need a high-end cable to relay that feed to the main server.

Modern HDMI cables come useful in the relay that high-resolution feed to the primary security system, and everyone can clearly view the system. In most of these security system setups, active HDMI or optical HDMI cables were used because the security had to relay the visuals to a long distant server.

In-home security cameras, too active HDMI cables are used for live relay of the visuals to the main servers.

Assist In Mobile Connectivity

Nowadays, you can use a mini or micro HDMI cable (depending upon compatibility) to connect your smartphone to the TV.

There are certain smartphones that come loaded with micro HDMI ports, and it allows you to connect them to large HDMI ports. It helps users to easily showcase the content of their phone on the big screen.

However, you can’t showcase all types of OTT content through HDMI as there are restrictions. Many professional DSLR and mirrorless cameras still use micro HDMI slots, and it allows them to showcase videos and images on the big screen.

But before we go to the end part, we want to let you know about the working of the HDMI cable;

How does All HDMI Cable Work?

The HDMI cable works in a simple manner where its job is to audio and video signals from one source to the other. Since most of the cables are bidirectional, the signals can flow in both ways. In technical terms, HDMI makes use of transition-minimized differential signaling or TDMS technology to send data from one end to the other through the specified cable.

When information travels from one end to another, degradation occurs, but TDMS helps in protecting the signals. It encodes the signal from the source by curbing the transition and protects the signal quality from degrading.

During the transmission through the cable, one cables the primary signal while the other inner cable transmits the inverse copy of the same signal. The inverse copy of the signal makes up for the loss and helps you experience the best visual and audio.

Due to the efficient transmission of audio and video without any loss, you get accurate visual quality on the screen. However, the speed and other features of HDMI vary from cable to cable.

Most importantly, all the data are transferred digitally, so signals are passed in an uncompressed manner. All the certified HDMI cable also utilizes HDCP or high-bandwidth digital protection, where it uses authorization protocol and prevents any piracy.

A normal HDMI cable with a standard length won’t require any external power, and it will send a signal at its full-intended speed.

Bottom Line

When it comes to the usage of HDMI cable, there are a lot of applications, and the advancement of HDMI technology is expanding its range. More and more brands are adopting the use of HDMI in their device, and this factor is widening the usage of HDMI cables.

Nowadays, USB-C or Lightning connectors are providing stiff competition as they are able to transmit high-quality video signals.

But still, HDMI cable serves as the convenient choice because it can transmit signals up to 10K resolution and has the capability to produce refresh rates up to 240Hz. HDMI cables come in different types and forms, so while choosing a cable for your device, you should be careful about its compatibility.