Discover the reasons why you might be struggling with your TVs and projectors!
Have you ever tried installing your own TV or projector but found it to be a frustrating experience? You followed all the instructions and even watched a few YouTube videos but you are still met with errors on the screen, a picture that doesn’t look like you expected, or worse- no picture at all.
Join us in our blog as we explore a few of the many benefits that using the correct cables can bring and discover why they are the unsung heroes of modern homes in Pearland, TX!
You Simply Want Your TV & Projector To Work
Let’s begin by establishing one fact: all HDMI cables work the exact same way. Two different brand cables at different prices will perform the exact same regardless of their retail price. Yet one of the two cables may work, while the other doesn’t. How could this be? HDMI cables have made installing video technology easier than ever, but have introduced more headaches than before.
You Don’t Need Expensive Boutique Branded Cables
The prices of HDMI cables have been the subject of controversy since their invention. We’ve all had the big box store experience of receiving a pitch from a salesman about the technology differences in HDMI cables. Examples used are copper vs. silver conductors, or the magic dust they are manufactured with, or if the cable is gold-plated. Our belief is that cables need to be de-mystified.
Let’s put the argument to rest. Yes, all HDMI cables work the same way. The signal either arrives at its destination, or it does not. There is no picture or sound quality difference between two cables made to the same specifications.
Today consumers can pick between three types of HDMI cables, each with their own increase in price for added features. The other difference in pricing is build-quality of the cable and the reputation that brand has for making a quality cable. Each brand has cables that make it to retail with defects or failures, the lower their defect rate is the less likely you are going to waste your time running to the store several times for replacement cables. An extra $10 for a more reputable brand might be worth your time and gas saved.
Different HDMI Versions
In stores today are three different types of HDMI cables: 1.4, 2.0 & 2.1 The problem is cables are not clearly marked to the average consumer to know which they are buying. Many times the cable will be labeled as “high speed” or will describe the amount of data the cable is capable of carrying.
1.4- max data rate of 10.2Gbps. This is sufficient to run 1080P or 4K resolution, but not enough data to enable HDR color or Dolby Vision. Max refresh rate of 30fps for gaming.
2.0- max data rate of 18Gbps. Sufficient to run 1080P and 4K resolutions as well as HDR color and Dolby Vision. Max refresh rate of 60fps for gaming.
2.1- max data rate of 48Gbps. Sufficient for resolutions up to 10K and all available HDR color and Dolby Vision. Max refresh rate of 120fps for gaming as well as Variable Refresh Rates to improve gaming experience.
Note: there are more differences than what is listed above. For simplicity's sake these are the major differences that will assist with making your purchasing decision.
Selecting Your TV and Projector Makes a Big Difference
We are going to pick on two specific products: Samsung’s The Frame TV and Epson’s line of projectors. We install both products frequently, but not understanding HDMI cables properly can lead to frustrating installation experiences. It’s not limited to these two brands, but they are the most popular.
Samsung Frame TV- HDMI spec is 2.1; often our clients are hiring us to install this TV to replace a pre-existing TV. The customer’s natural inclination is to think their expensive HDMI cables from the TV they purchased 5 years ago are sufficient. The result is a picture that works intermittently or not at all. This is especially true when pairing these TVs with streaming boxes like Apple TV or Roku.
Another common complaint is the customer is trying to connect their soundbar to the TV using an HDMI cable and the eARC (Audio Return Channel) feature. If the cable does not meet the 2.1 spec there might be a failure getting that feature to work.
Epson Projectors- Let’s compare two popular models; the Epson Laser LS12000 ($5000 retail) to the Home Cinema 4010 ($2000 retail). The obvious difference is the LS12000 meets 2.1 spec and the HC4010 is limited by the 1.4 spec. With proper HDMI cables the projector and the video source can negotiate showing a picture on your screen with the AUTO mode enabled on the projector. However, if you use a cable that does not meet spec or is a lower quality cable, the end-user must set the output on the video source to 1.4 before an image will appear on screen. At PHT Automation we can testify to many hours of experience fighting HDMI related issues and finding the fix for them.
Cable Lengths that Defy Logic
Clocking Issues- You may have purchased the right spec cables and paired them with your TV or projector, yet you are still experiencing issues getting a picture on your screen. Your screen may even tell you there is an error.
Lab testing has been conducted on popular streaming devices such as Apple TV and Roku. These tests have determined that there is an internal clock issue between the streaming device and the display, these devices are sending their signals out faster than the display can receive the signal.
The fix- use longer cables to slow down the transmission speed to help your display out. The labs have recommended using HDMI cables that are no-shorter than 6.5ft or 2-meters in length. Shorter cables are causing more problems, which goes against common wisdom when it comes to determining cable lengths to use.
Curious about the other technology related topics? Contact PHT Automation today and take the first step towards a smarter, more efficient home!
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