Does HDMI Cable Length Cause Latency?

With the popularity of smart TVs, HMDI cables are being used in a wider and wider range of scenarios. Some users need to connect handheld games to their TVs via HDMI cables, while others want to connect their cell phone screens to large-screen devices such as TVs or projections via HDMI cables.

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But in the process of using HMDI cables, many people overlook one detail: will the long HDMI cable have an effect on the signal? It is said that the longer the HDMI cable is, the more noticeable the delay will be, is this true?

First of all, we need to understand what HDMI cable is really for. HDMI cable is known as high-definition multimedia interface cable, which can be used for audio and video transmission between various devices such as TV boxes, computers, TVs, game consoles, etc. Compared to the traditional red, white, and yellow AV interface, HDMI cable greatly simplifies the user's multi-device connection operation difficulties.

Currently, there are two common HDMI interfaces, HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0. Among them, HDMI2.1 has significantly improved bandwidth, resolution, frame rate, and smoothness of video playback compared to HDMI2.0. For example, HDMI2.1 can support 4K@120Hz, while HDMI2.0 only supports up to 4K@60GHz.

After a brief understanding of the HDMI cable and the specifications of different HDMI interfaces, we return to the essential question - will the longer HDMI cable have an impact on the signal, and the longer the HDMI cable the more pronounced the delay will be? The answer is yes.

The general HDMI cable is made of copper core material, and the longer the HDMI cable is, the worse the transmission capability. According to HDMI Association recommendations, the maximum transmission distance of HDMI cable made of copper core material under HDMI 2.1 interface is recommended to be 3 meters, if more than 3 meters, the transmission clarity and refresh rate of HDMI cable may be affected. If the use of the scene is more than 3 meters, and the sound and picture requirements are high, you need to use the more expensive light material HDMI cable.

Some users have actually tested and pointed out that, especially when the quality of the HDMI cable can not be guaranteed, coupled with the HDMI cable being too long, there will be noise and color blocks, and even the transmission signal directly disappear.
 
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