Why You Should Always Have an HDMI Adapter Handy

This is a guest post from Chuck Jenkins. 

Here in the age of electronics one quick look around someone’s home is undoubtedly going to result in spotting a variety of electronic devices.  Whether for work or just as sources of pure fun and entertainment, electronic devices provide us with so many different possibilities that’s it’s virtually impossible to have just one or two.  That being said, different devices are obviously going to operate according to different parameters.  These individual parameters can be a good thing in terms of enabling individual devices to perform their specific functions, but what happens when you want to exchange information between these devices?  This is precisely why having an HDMI adapter of some sort at your disposal is an absolute must.

About HDMI:

High Definition Multimedia Interface, known colloquially as HDMI, is a technology that is used to transmit both video and audio information from one source to another.  Its high definition aspect allows it to render these video and audio signals in stunning detail and high quality.  HDMI technology is able to handle a larger amount of information and therefore offer greater display and sound, thus offering better resolution.  The issue is that different devices read HDMI in different ways and some devices operate according to separate parameters altogether.  To resolve this so that different devices can work in conjunction with one another, an HDMI adapter has to be used.

Communication Experts:

You could easily describe HDMI adapters as communication experts, as they take information in one format and deliver it to a device in another.  For example, your laptop reads HDMI signals slightly different than the way in which your TV reads them.  In order to exchange information, these devices need an HDMI adapter that can convert these signals into something that both devices understand.  If you want to connect your laptop to your TV in order to watch a movie, connect a game console in order to play a variety of games, or connect various digital devices to your TV for a home theater setup then you’re going to need an HDMI adapter.

Why You Should Always Have an HDMI Adapter Handy

Linking different devices to your laptop or PC is also likely going to involve an HDMI adapter.  Getting pictures from your camera to a laptop or exchanging files between a laptop and a tablet is likely going to be facilitated through the use of an HDMI adapter.  This is because HDMI can compress information in a way that other technologies can’t do.  The specific technology that individual devices use often can’t transfer specific aspects of quality, like vivid colors and high definition sound, without the use of HDMI.

HDMI and DVI:

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DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface and it’s an older technology that is not always directly compatible with HDMI.  DVI isn’t always compatible with High Definition devices, so things like Blu-ray players may not work with them.  Although DVI is an older form of technology, HDMI is backwards compatible with it, meaning that through the use of an adapter HDMI can read the signals sent by a DVI device.  Apart from the adapters, in order to link between a DVI and a HDMI device certain connectors have to be used.

HDMI Connectors:

There are five different HDMI Connectors: A, B, C, D, and E. Connector types are partially differentiated from one another according to their sizes.  Different devices will offer connection ports of different sizes in order to save space or simply because of their own relative size.  For example, the connector that you might use on a TV is going to be larger than one you might use for a portable device.  While the sizes do make for distinct differences between the various connector types, function also distinguishes them.  B connectors, for example, are often used in order to facilitate extremely high resolution while E connectors are automotive connectors used to link your vehicle with an electronic device.  If you wanted to link your phone to your vehicle’s electronics system then you’re likely going to need an E connector, but B connectors, however, probably won’t be something you encounter as they’re not used in regular electronic devices.

Going Wireless:

Not all compatibility adaptions have to be achieved through the use of a wired HDMI adapter.  Wireless HDMI extenders enable HDMI signals to be transmitted and received between two separate devices through wavelengths.  Many people like the wireless option for the obvious benefit of not having to deal with so many wires and cables.  However, wireless HDMI technology is appreciated even more for the sort of versatility it offers.  With a wireless HDMI extender, you can link multiple devices simultaneously without have to connect and disconnect different devices to one another using cables.  This means all you have to do is send the signals for specific instructions and the extender will send them to the appropriate device.

Wireless HDMI is also useful for linking various devices throughout various rooms.  This aspect of wireless HDMI technology means that signals from one device to another anywhere in your home can be sent without you having to move the devices or connect them via cables.  This is also a great application for schools and businesses because it allows students/teachers and work colleagues to exchange information between different classrooms and departments.  The wireless signal is going to be affected by the particular structural makeup of a building, so thicker walls and particular materials may limit how far the signal is able to travel.  That being said, many wireless HDMI extenders can transmit a signal for several hundred feet.

What to Know Before Buying:

The biggest thing you need to be aware of when buying HDMI adapters is compatibility.  This is likely where you need to pay attention to the kind of connector being used.  You should be able to find the particular specifications for your device in its user manual.  If you can’t find the specific information you’re looking for regarding what kind of adapter you need in order to link the device to another, search online or visit an electronics retailer that sells such products.  Also be aware that when you purchase an electronic device, oftentimes it’s not going to include various HDMI adapters, cables, and connectors, so make sure you know beforehand whether or not you’ll to buy any of these in conjunction with the device itself.

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Chuck Jenkins is an IT professional and US Army Vet with a B.S. in Information Technology and  several certifications under his belt. He’s been blogging for Firefold.com for several years.