How to Buy HDMI Cables for the iPad Mini 2
You find yourself seeking something larger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop, and the IPad Mini 2 falls right between. Large screens like those of televisions can make media like movies more enjoyable, and mirroring to an Apple TV is one way to use an iPad Mini 2 with an expanded display, though HDMI cables allow iPads to be connected to any display with this connector option.
What is HDMI?
This digital adapter allows for HD resolutions up to 1920x1080p, with an HD display requiring this resolution to fill its wide screen with a clear image.
- An HDMI adapter cable can carry full HD picture and eight channels of uncompressed audio. The signal is encoded to prevent loss of quality when it travels down the cable.
- There is an inverse signal that is also carried and transmitted, and the receiving device uses this to figure out and compensate for any loss that may have occurred in transit. HDMI cables can also detect and prevent piracy, as the authentication key of each device means an unauthorized device will not transmit or receive the signal.
- The cable includes shielding that prevents interference from other devices or signals around it. Analog signals can be interrupted with less threshold than digital ones can, and instructions like turning on one device after another can also be sent along HDMI.
What are Lightning cables?
This Apple input/output type was introduced in 2012 and combines charging with media sharing.
- A Lightning cable can be used to charge Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad. The 30-pin connector can also sync the device and send or receive data. Audio and video output are also supported.
- The Lightning connector is smaller and sturdier than previous 30-pin forms. Its signals can adapt to the specifications of each device.
- Since it can send audio and video, televisions and other displays can be connected using this type of cable, though a Lightning digital AV adapter is needed. This digital AV adapter allows an HDMI cable to be connected to the Lightning port on supported devices.
What should be considered when buying an HDMI cable?
Length and material are both important considerations when choosing a cable and often depend on the space in which it is used.
- Rubber or plastic-coated options are less costly but may tangle and become damaged in cramped situations. For most applications, however, these are appropriate choices.
- Fabric-coated cables are more difficult to tangle and may provide enhanced durability. The material of the head, or part that connects to a device, can be metal or plastic.
- Length can range from inches to dozens of feet, as signal quality tends to remain intact even with longer cables. Three to 10 feet is a range used by many consumers, but those with involved or more permanent home viewing setups may want additional length.
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