That the tangle of cables in our homes is well organized is something that it makes us obsessed for years. Normally, when we talk about cable management we usually refer to the workspace, but we also can be a problem in our salonswhere there are cables that no matter how much we try to replace them, they are still there. One of them is HDMI.
Although there are technologies to be able to watch content on a television or projector without having to pull a physical cable, HDMI cable is still the best and sometimes only option.
Alternatives to HDMI cable
HDMI cables have the drawbacks of any cable: they limit mobility, cause visual clutter and, depending on the device we want to connect, it is very likely that we will need adapters. Fortunately there are technologies that allow us to do without it.
Chromecast and Airplay
Google TV Streamer, formerly known as Chromecast
They are the most popular and well-known options since they have the support of large companies such as Google and Apple. More and more televisions integrate both systems, so it is no longer necessary to purchase a separate device. In the case of Chromecast classic, technically not a wireless solution, But it does allow us to launch the content we want to see without having to use one expressly to connect the mobile phone to the TV.
Miracast
Smart View on a Samsung mobile. Image: Xataka Home
One of the solutions that has tried to replace HDMI is Miracastusually known as Mirror screen or Smart View on Samsung phones. It is a protocol that works through Wi-Fi Direct It allows two devices to detect each other and we can mirror the screen of one on the other. This point is important since it only works in mode mirroringthat is, that clone screen contentit does not extend it or play a video from an app like a Chromecast does.
With Miracast, if you want to watch a video that you have saved on your mobile on TV, you will have to leave your cell phone on and the same video playing on it. The advantage is that it is a cross-platform standard and allows you to send FullHD video with almost no latency. That’s when it works well, because Connection problems are quite common.
Wireless HDMI Kits
If you can’t (or don’t want to) run an HDMI cable to a display or projector, a solution may be to use a wireless kit. It consists of an emitter that sends the AV signal wirelessly to a receiver, which will be connected to the destination device, such as the TV. There are quite a few options available at relatively affordable prices, such as this one from UGREEN that costs less than 60 euros or a little more expensive, like this one from VENTION for 119 euros.
The problem with these types of solutions is mainly the interference and, above all, latency. In addition, they have limitations such as lack of HDR support and many do not support 4K video.
HDMI is still necessary
Although there are alternatives without cable, they are just that, alternatives, not substitutes. Yes, there are proposals that improve HDMI, such as GPMI standard developed by an organization of more than 50 Chinese companies. This interface promises transfers of up to 192Gbps and supports 8K video, but even if it manages to displace HDMI You still need a cable.
There are no wireless alternatives that improve the performance and stability of a physical HDMI cable, especially in scenarios where latency is key such as competitive video games. Whether on the console or the PC, the cable will always be the preferred system in this case.
It is also best if you are interested in obtaining the best video and audio quality, for example when connecting a home cinema system, and you prioritize connection stability. Of course, you have to choose the cable well and the port to which we connect it to get the most out of it.
Image | Xataka
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