What is HDMI cables?

What HDMI cables will best stand up to constant plugging/unplugging?

• I watch all of my TV and movies through my laptop connected to my TV by 25 ft HDMI cable. The cable runs behind my couch and comes out where I have my laptop connected. I've gone through at least 5 cables in the last 3 months (different brands from Amazon). For 3, the gold connector part came out of the cable while setting the laptop aside - not by yanking it out, and the other two had some kind of breakage inside and stopped working. All broke while being treated fairly gently, except maybe they were bent at strange angles. Are there any affordable HDMI cables that better stand up to constant plugging, unplugging and moving from table to lap? This is the perfect solution to paying for cable, but my HDMI cable bill is starting to add up.

• Answer:

  As you’re likely aware, loose (or looser than normal) HDMI connections involve more than just the male connector (i.e. the plug) on the end of a typical HDMI interconnect; the female HDMI connector (i.e. the jack) is also a significant contributor to connector mating durability and reliability. Therefore simply replacing HDMI interconnects alone may not solve HDMI connector mating problems. It’s also important to note that you should always avoid using HDMI interconnects that are heavier gauge than what is needed. The following represent a few of the more conspicuous solutions worth considering in order to resolve your HDMI connection reliability problem: (1) use high-performance HDMI interconnects fitted with heavy-duty, high-retention HDMI connectors; (2) use high-performance HDMI interconnects fitted with heavy-duty, locking HDMI connectors; (3) convert to a field-installable HDMI interconnect system consisting of (IDC) HDMI connectors, bulk HDMI cable, and the appropriate field-termination tooling to replace worn, damaged, or out of spec HDMI connectors as needed. (BTX Technologies is the only company currently offering such a system); or (4) use locking adapters such as the “hd EZ lock” Universal Locking HDMI Cable Adapters from Blue Echo Solutions (which may or may not work with the HDMI port on notebook PC’s.) There are several locking and high-retention type HDMI interconnects available; some of the better-known brands are PPC’s Perfect Path™ and ACCELL Cables. In the Google Docs page to which I have provided a link below I have listed hyperlinks to these and other applicable products and resources that you may find helpful. HDMI and HDMI Connections http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhpmqnbb_40d87zmsgn