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AV Cables

Our range of AV cables covers HDMI, optical, SCART and video leads for connecting televisions, projectors, consoles and sound bars. Most picture and sound faults come down to the wrong cable or a tired one, so it is worth getting this part right before blaming the equipment. Found it cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price.

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Which HDMI cable do you actually need?

HDMI cables are not all equivalent, but the differences are about bandwidth rather than brand. A standard High Speed cable handles 1080p and most 4K at 30Hz. For 4K at 60Hz you want a Premium High Speed cable, and for 4K at 120Hz or 8K, as used by current games consoles, you need Ultra High Speed. Beyond meeting the right standard, a more expensive cable does not improve the picture, because the signal is digital and either arrives intact or visibly fails.

Length and signal loss

HDMI is reliable up to around 5 metres with an ordinary passive cable, and up to about 10 metres for lower resolutions. Beyond that, high bandwidth signals start to drop out, which usually shows as sparkling, a black screen or intermittent handshaking rather than a gradual decline. For longer runs, use an active or optical HDMI cable, or an extender over network cable, rather than hoping a passive lead will cope.

Optical, coaxial and analogue audio

An optical, or TOSLINK, cable carries digital audio from a television or console to a sound bar or amplifier, and because it is light rather than copper it is immune to electrical interference and ground loops. It will carry stereo and compressed surround, but not the newer high bandwidth formats, which need HDMI. Where a device offers only analogue outputs, RCA phono carries stereo, and older equipment may need SCART.

In-wall and behind-wall runs

If a cable is going inside a wall or under a floor, buy the right one first, because replacing it later means opening the surface again. Check whether the cable is rated for in-wall installation, and always leave a draw string alongside it so a future cable can be pulled through without cutting into the plaster. Bear in mind that HDMI connectors are bulky, so plan the back box and the bend radius before chasing the wall.

Common faults and how to find them

If a picture is missing altogether, swap the cable before anything else, since that resolves the majority of cases. Sparkling white dots usually mean the cable cannot carry the bandwidth being asked of it. No sound with a working picture is often an audio format the receiving device does not support rather than a cable fault, so check the output setting. And if the display only works after unplugging and reconnecting, that is a handshake problem which a shorter or higher rated cable frequently cures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do expensive HDMI cables give a better picture?
No. HDMI is digital, so the signal either arrives intact or fails visibly. What matters is meeting the right standard for your resolution: High Speed for 1080p, Premium High Speed for 4K at 60Hz, Ultra High Speed for 4K at 120Hz or 8K.

How long can an HDMI cable be?
Around 5 metres is dependable for high bandwidth signals, and up to about 10 metres at lower resolutions. For longer runs use an active or optical HDMI cable, or an extender over network cable, rather than a longer passive lead.

Optical or HDMI for sound?
Optical carries stereo and compressed surround and is immune to electrical interference and ground loops, which makes it useful for sound bars. HDMI is required for the newer high bandwidth audio formats.

Why is my screen sparkling or dropping out?
Usually the cable cannot carry the bandwidth being requested. Try a shorter cable or one rated to a higher standard. Intermittent blank screens that recover when you unplug and reconnect are typically a handshake problem with the same cause.

Can I run HDMI inside a wall?
Only with a cable rated for in-wall installation, and it is worth leaving a draw string alongside so a future cable can be pulled through without opening the wall again. Plan for the bulky connector when sizing the back box.

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