Do I have to run HDMI 1.3 to my projector?

[Luciano]

So I am getting my first projector, Panasonic PT-ax200u 720p. Do I have to run HDMI 1.3 certified to it or any HDMI is ok? I'm also getting the Yamaha RX-V663 receiver which is HDMI 1.3 It will be a 30ft cable.

[Brain Sturgeon]

HDMI 1.3 added bandwidth to 340 MHz (support of up to 1440p video), support of x.v.Color & Deep Color, and support of bitstreaming TrueHD and DTSHDMA. If you don't need these things (and it doesn't sound like you do if you're just running video to a 720p projector) then you don't necessarily need to run an HDMI 1.3 certified cable to your PJ.

Any HDMI cable (all the way back to 1.0 variants) can support 1080p/60 video. However, since there are affordable HDMI 1.3 cables out there (:cough: www.Monoprice.com :cough:), then why not run the most up-to-date cable and future proof yourself a bit.

[CasualKiller]

Really wish people would stop using HDMI version numbers, they mean NOTHING.

They relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality.

The founders of HDMI are in the process of eliminating version numbers to clear up the confusion among consumers.

What you want to make sure you have is a "Category 2" HDMI cable

A Category 2 cable is by licensing a cable that is certified to meet the following:

High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).

[ryoohki]

Buy the 35 feet cable from Monoprice, that's what i got and it work like a charm!...

[Brain Sturgeon]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Really wish people would stop using HDMI version numbers, they mean NOTHING.

They relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality.

The founders of HDMI are in the process of eliminating version numbers to clear up the confusion among consumers.

What you want to make sure you have is a "Category 2" HDMI cable

A Category 2 cable is by licensing a cable that is certified to meet the following:

High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).

Unfortunately, the "category 1" or "category 2" classifications are even worse than the version numbers.

As you partially quoted from the HDMI.org site:

Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.

• Standard (or “category 1”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 75Mhz, which is the equivalent of a 1080i signal.

• High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).

So "category 1" cables only have been tested to carry a 1080i signal, not a 1080p signal. This cable wouldn't even fall into the HDMI version 1.0 spec. Every version of HDMI from 1.0 on (circa 2002) is supposed to support 1080p video. So where the heck do these cables fall into in the HDMI world if they are not even tested to carry a 1080p signal?

The "category 2" cable is just a restatement of the HDMI 1.3 spec, as none of the earlier specs include a bandwidth of 340 MHz (10.2 Gbps). This is, by definition, an HDMI 1.3 cable.

Although these version numbers are annoying, they do mean something, particularly in regards to hardware that you purchase. HDMI 1.3 spec is needed to bitstream THD and DTSHDMA-- although if you don't need this, than any HDMI cable from spec 1.0 on will pass 1080p video and multichannel PCM.

Either way, just running an HDMI 1.3 cable (aka "Category 2" cable) would be the simplest way to bypass all this headache. Truthfully speaking, if you are just going to be passing a 720p signal, then any cable will work, including the weird "category 1" cable above. But the cost difference is so little, why not just get the up-to-date cable. As Ryoohki states, that cable from Monoprice should work just fine. I use a 25' CL2 HDMI 1.3 cable from Monoprice for my projector as well, with no issues.

[crackinhedz]

So "category 1" cables only have been tested to carry a 1080i signal, not a 1080p signal. This cable wouldn't even fall into the HDMI version 1.0 spec.

being rated category 1 does not necessarily mean they would not work for 1080p. (but category 2 pretty much guarantees 1080p)

hdmi.org

Although a Standard HDMI cable may not have been tested to support the higher bandwidth requirements of cables rated to support high speeds, existing cables, especially ones of shorter lengths (i.e., less than 2 meters), will generally perform adequately in higher speed situations.

...but I agree with you both, (category 2) monoprice v1.3 cables will do just fine.

[CasualKiller]

Although these version numbers are annoying, they do mean something, particularly in regards to hardware that you purchase. HDMI 1.3 spec is needed to bitstream THD and DTSHDMA-- although if you don't need this, than any HDMI cable from spec 1.0 on will pass 1080p video and multichannel PCM.

Hardware, nothing to do with cables. Just a pet peeve of mine, it's like saying I have a Category 2 receiver.. makes no sense.

Sorry I'll leave now..

[Brain Sturgeon]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Hardware, nothing to do with cables. Just a pet peeve of mine, it's like saying I have a Category 2 receiver.. makes no sense.

Sorry I'll leave now..

CK-- no worries, bro. It's not your fault the HDMI versions/categories are goofy. Your pet peeve is well understood. Personally, I dislike the connector-- I find it a bit too fragile and finicky.

[Luciano]

Looking at monoprice website I don't see a 30ft Category 2 cable. Unless, does CL2 stand for Category 2?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Luciano

Looking at monoprice website I don't see a 30ft Category 2 cable. Unless, does CL2 stand for Category 2?

any of these should work just fine...

25ft HDMI

30ft (Flat) HDMI

30ft HDMI

35ft HDMI

...I think only the 25ft and the "flat" 30ft are from the 1.3 series, but honestly they all should work fine.

[Luciano]

Thanks everyone for helping me out.

[ak808]

Hate to bring up an old thread but I'm sorry if this is a noob question but do I need hdmi to pass a 1080p/24 picture? Would I be ok with using a dvi cable instead to the projector? Reason I ask is because I have the onkyo 705 which only has 1 hdmi out which is going to my LCD. If I could just do the dvi and not loose any PQ that would save me a few 100 on a switcher.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by ak808

Hate to bring up an old thread but I'm sorry if this is a noob question but do I need hdmi to pass a 1080p/24 picture? Would I be ok with using a dvi cable instead to the projector? Reason I ask is because I have the onkyo 705 which only has 1 hdmi out which is going to my LCD. If I could just do the dvi and not loose any PQ that would save me a few 100 on a switcher.

A few hundred?!? You can buy a switch for under $40:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

That one's $33.

[ak808]

That won't do me any good. That is a 5x1 switcher. Meaning it has only 1 out. I need a switcher with at least 2 outs. http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 This would work but, still it's at least 90-100 when you consider shipping to hawaii.

[Brain Sturgeon]

Originally Posted by ak808

Hate to bring up an old thread but I'm sorry if this is a noob question but do I need hdmi to pass a 1080p/24 picture? Would I be ok with using a dvi cable instead to the projector? Reason I ask is because I have the onkyo 705 which only has 1 hdmi out which is going to my LCD. If I could just do the dvi and not loose any PQ that would save me a few 100 on a switcher.

DVI is the basis for HDMI video, so you should be able to pass a 1080p/24 signal via DVI, as long as you don't have any HDCP handshaking issues. Component video can also pass a 1080p/24 signal, but unfortunately, most sources limit output via component to 1080i because of piracy concerns.

I presume you have a source that has both HDMI and DVI outputs?

Your setup sounds like it needs an HDMI splitter, not a switcher.

[gandley]

out of interest im using cables that i have from when HDMI cables first came out. these were the first ones around and they pass 1080p24 with HiRez audio just fine with no issues.