[kofsw4]

Hello AV experts,

My basement conversion to home cinema is being done now and I need to specify a 10m HDMI cable to run from the projector to AV amp in a wall and then in the ceiling.

I've read that I need to be careful with long HDMI runs and I want the cable I choose to last for the next few years both in terms of quality and features as replacing it will be difficult and expensive once the wall and ceiling have been plastered.

I know there isn't any equipment that uses HDMI 1.4 yet but is this the kind of cable I should be using or would a good quality 1.3 (cat2?) be sufficient?

Thanks in advance for your comments...

[Jamie S]

You can future-proof by pre-ordering a 1.4 cable here:
1.4 HDMI Cable - New HDMI 1.4 Specification Cable

They are only available to pre-order due to our official HDMI adopter status we are not allowed to release the cable for sale until our compliance certificate has been issued.

We expect to be able to dispatch a fully compliant cable within 3 weeks.

Here is what HDMI.org say about the matter.

"HDMI Licensing, LLC is currently working to complete and publish the Compliance Test Specification, Version 1.4 (CTS 1.4). Until that time, no products can claim compliance with the HDMI Specification, Version 1.4. All fully compliant products MUST pass the Compliance Test Specification. Until the CTS 1.4 is published, testing for compliance is not possible."

Of course, you could purchase a cable stating to be 1.4 elsewhere but it will not be officially compliant. You would essentially be taking a risk on a retailer's claim rather than fact.

[Joe Fernand]

I'd install two (or three) runs of CAT6 to cover the future proofing + a 'working' HDMI cable.

Most 10m HDMI cables are currently CAT1 - some Active designs are CAT2.

Media Factory - Bettercables HIgh Speed CAT2 HDMI cables, 1m to 12m.

Joe

[HDMIHead]

Hello kofsw4,
I would install a pair of CAT6 and Cablesson Kaiser HDMI Cable 1.4

We have the 1.4 in stock for delivery, our kaiser our CL3 perfect for installation.

[MarkTaylor]

Originally Posted by HDMIHead

We have the 1.4 in stock for delivery, our kaiser our CL3 perfect for installation.

There are no certified 1.4 cables at the moment, that will change soon I'm sure but right now nobody can sell any HDMI cable as 1.4 certified as the compliance test is not yet available.

It would seem sensible for someone interested in 'future proofing' to want to buy cables that were actually certified

[kofsw4]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Since the cable has to go in the ceiling/wall in the next week or two and no certified 1.4 cables are available yet, I'll have to settle for a good quality high speed cable like the one Joe's recommended.

From my research, it looks like it will be able to handle the bandwidth that most features of a 1.4 cable require anyway apart from Ethernet but then I'm putting in a couple of Cat6e cables for that.

[David_of_Surrey]

Hi, my idea would be run some 20mm or so internal dia hose through the ceiling to form a duct, if you have to go through the joists then drill through the middle (don't notch the bottom as it will weaken it) then if you need to upgrade in the future simply ties some string to the current cable and drag the newer upgraded cabe through.

Dave