topic Re: Question About HDMI Cable in Electronics

Question About HDMI Cable

Jordan2 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:16:20 GMT

I have an old 13" tv in my kitchen and am looking to get a Samsung 22" set. I have Time Warner Cable and the cable box is HD. I want to know if I have to buy an HDMI cable or the cable that comes with it is enough? I'm not going to be using a DVD player or Blueray player with the tv. Also I have a small table and now have to find a place for the cable box. The stand doesn't have a shelf. Would a monitor riser be a good idea?TIA

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

MomOf4 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:26:09 GMT

Jordan, we also have a 22" Samsung TV in our bedroom and Time Warner Cable. The HDMI Cable that comes with it is enough.

Enjoy your new TV. We love ours.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

chickenbutt — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 03:53:55 GMT

If you end up needing any more HDMI cables, Amazon has really nice ones (their own brand) in 3', 6', 9', and 15'. Great quality HDMI cables! I really love that I can get them as short as 3' because there are enough cables hanging back there, behind all my TVs, and the 3' ones are very useful for me whether it's for a blu-ray player, Tivo, or my Roku 3 that I have on one TV. Plus, my little kitchen and desk TVs are in small spaces and I hate having so much cable back there.

I have two Samsung 19" TVs (one for my kitchen and one in my office, on my desk) and they are such nice little TVs. Hope you enjoy yours. Samsung is a good brand.

As for a 'riser' as you mentioned - that is the perfect idea so that you have a little shelf to put the cable box below the tv. I use these kinds of tv/monitor shelves a lot. You can get some that are a swivel stand or some that don't swivel. There are tons of great choices in every conceivable size. I have a few different ones that I got from Amazon. Some of them have height choices (little legs that fit in and you can use one set, two, three, etc to make it as high as you want). Several good brands make very useful and durable stands.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

glb613 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:35:21 GMT

If you want to enjoy the quality picture your cable box can provide, use a HDMI cable. If the cable provided by the cable company is a coaxial cable, the picture won't look good.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Jordan2 — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:20:18 GMT

Thank you for your replies.The cable that comes with my cable box isn't a coaxial cable so I think it should be okay. I've been trying to get ideas for a riser of some kind and have looked on Amazon and Staple's websites for some thing that will work. I just hope I'll be able to hook up the tv myself!

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

chickenbutt — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:07:44 GMT

On 3/27/2014 jordan2 said:
Thank you for your replies.The cable that comes with my cable box isn't a coaxial cable so I think it should be okay. I've been trying to get ideas for a riser of some kind and have looked on Amazon and Staple's websites for some thing that will work. I just hope I'll be able to hook up the tv myself!

I don't know if there is a huge difference between cable equipment, from company to company (I have Charter), but with my cable box situations I had to first hook the coaxial cable that comes through the wall to the cable box (in). Then another coaxial cable goes from the box (out) to the television. Then, the HDMI cable goes from the HDMI port on the cable box to the HDMI port on the television.

Coaxial cable is just what hooks you through the cable service. The HDMI cable is what gets you availed of the HD channels.

Did that make sense? It's quite easy. Then, if it's the first time you are using that cable box you might have to activate it - either on the phone with the cable company or just go online and you can activate it on your account possibly. With Charter that can be done, anyway.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Nuttmeg — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:22:52 GMT

On 3/27/2014 jordan2 said:
Thank you for your replies.The cable that comes with my cable box isn't a coaxial cable so I think it should be okay. I've been trying to get ideas for a riser of some kind and have looked on Amazon and Staple's websites for some thing that will work. I just hope I'll be able to hook up the tv myself!

I found a setup manual for my cable box on the Web site of the cable company. It helped me install my TV. You can also find info using Google search. You will need the name and model number of the set top box.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Lynnj — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:00:53 GMT

On 3/27/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 3/27/2014 jordan2 said:
Thank you for your replies.The cable that comes with my cable box isn't a coaxial cable so I think it should be okay. I've been trying to get ideas for a riser of some kind and have looked on Amazon and Staple's websites for some thing that will work. I just hope I'll be able to hook up the tv myself!

I don't know if there is a huge difference between cable equipment, from company to company (I have Charter), but with my cable box situations I had to first hook the coaxial cable that comes through the wall to the cable box (in). Then another coaxial cable goes from the box (out) to the television. Then, the HDMI cable goes from the HDMI port on the cable box to the HDMI port on the television.

Coaxial cable is just what hooks you through the cable service. The HDMI cable is what gets you availed of the HD channels.

Did that make sense? It's quite easy. Then, if it's the first time you are using that cable box you might have to activate it - either on the phone with the cable company or just go online and you can activate it on your account possibly. With Charter that can be done, anyway.

Chickenbutt - you shouldn't need both the HDMI cord and the other cord from the box to the tv. The set up should work like this - cable from the wall to the box > HDMI cord from the box to the tv. If you have the cord with the red,,white, and yellow thingys (technical term, lol) also running from the box to the tv, this is duplicate. Plus the red, while, yellow connection is not HDMI.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

knmt — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 04:51:11 GMT

I agree with Lynnj. By the way, the red, whte and yellow "thingys" is called the RCA connectors. It's either the connectors or the HDMI cable--not both.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Nuttmeg — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 08:15:58 GMT

How to setup a HD cable box at Time Warner Cable. http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/how-to-videos.html

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

glb613 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 08:47:38 GMT

The red, white and yellow "thingys" are NOT what you want to use. The only thing worse is the coaxial cables. Do yourself a favor and get a HDMI cable if you don't have one.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

chickenbutt — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:26:37 GMT

On 3/27/2014 Lynnj said:
On 3/27/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 3/27/2014 jordan2 said:
Thank you for your replies.The cable that comes with my cable box isn't a coaxial cable so I think it should be okay. I've been trying to get ideas for a riser of some kind and have looked on Amazon and Staple's websites for some thing that will work. I just hope I'll be able to hook up the tv myself!

I don't know if there is a huge difference between cable equipment, from company to company (I have Charter), but with my cable box situations I had to first hook the coaxial cable that comes through the wall to the cable box (in). Then another coaxial cable goes from the box (out) to the television. Then, the HDMI cable goes from the HDMI port on the cable box to the HDMI port on the television.

Coaxial cable is just what hooks you through the cable service. The HDMI cable is what gets you availed of the HD channels.

Did that make sense? It's quite easy. Then, if it's the first time you are using that cable box you might have to activate it - either on the phone with the cable company or just go online and you can activate it on your account possibly. With Charter that can be done, anyway.

Chickenbutt - you shouldn't need both the HDMI cord and the other cord from the box to the tv. The set up should work like this - cable from the wall to the box > HDMI cord from the box to the tv. If you have the cord with the red,,white, and yellow thingys (technical term, lol) also running from the box to the tv, this is duplicate. Plus the red, while, yellow connection is not HDMI.

Yeah, except I didn't say any of that. It's coaxial cable from wall to box. Another coaxial cable from box to tv. HDMI from cable box to tv. period.

I don't use the a/v (red/yellow/white) cables at all. Our cable co is all HD now so, as long as you have HDMI ports on your TVs, you have HD reception.

As I mentioned also, the coaxial cable is the cable-cable - it is a single cable that comes through your wall and needs to be connected to the box, then another one from box to tv in our Charter set up. Sounds like some set ups don't need two coaxial cables, but ours does. No a/v unless you don't have an hdmi port, then the a/v cables replace the hdmi.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Jordan2 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 18:35:53 GMT

I'm beginning to think I'm not going to be able to do this! Right now on my clunker of a set I have a black cord plugged into the cable box and into a surge protector. I then have a white cord that is screwed onto the back of the cable box. There is a white cable with about six color coded prongs. Only five of them are plugged in. The technician from TWC said that was because my set wasn't HD. He made it seem like it would be easy to hook up a new set and I didn't need anything additional. I'm so confused!

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

chickenbutt — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 18:42:26 GMT

Oh, well, if you don't even have an HD tv you'll have to forget about an HDMI cable altogether. It's still easy, though. Just no HD. You will have coaxial cable going into the box and then out of the box to the tv. Then the a/v cables that you have (the ones with red/white/yellow/green/blue) will go from box to tv. But usually you just need the red/white/yellow a/v cables.

So, if this stuff is already plugged in, what is the issue?

If you are getting a new TV - the 22" Samsung you mentioned - then that will be HD, no? So it will be back to just the coaxial cable and the HDMI cable.

I think you are making it more complicated than it needs to be. I know, I do that with some things I have less understanding of, so I understand. But just be calm and realize that this will be extremely easy. If you get a new HD TV, the HDMI cable will just replace the colored ones you now have and nothing else will change.

Plus, you can get instructions from your cable co website. I believe somebody already posted a link. Hopefully, your cable co has better instructions than mine did.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Nuttmeg — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:26:25 GMT

On 3/28/2014 jordan2 said: I'm beginning to think I'm not going to be able to do this! Right now on my clunker of a set I have a black cord plugged into the cable box and into a surge protector. I then have a white cord that is screwed onto the back of the cable box. There is a white cable with about six color coded prongs. Only five of them are plugged in. The technician from TWC said that was because my set wasn't HD. He made it seem like it would be easy to hook up a new set and I didn't need anything additional. I'm so confused!

I am posting this video from TWC again, "How to setup your HD Cable Box".

http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/how-to-videos.html

There is another video next to it. "Understanding Wires".

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Lynnj — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 21:49:25 GMT

On 3/28/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 3/27/2014 Lynnj said:
On 3/27/2014 chickenbutt said:
On 3/27/2014 jordan2 said:
Thank you for your replies.The cable that comes with my cable box isn't a coaxial cable so I think it should be okay. I've been trying to get ideas for a riser of some kind and have looked on Amazon and Staple's websites for some thing that will work. I just hope I'll be able to hook up the tv myself!

I don't know if there is a huge difference between cable equipment, from company to company (I have Charter), but with my cable box situations I had to first hook the coaxial cable that comes through the wall to the cable box (in). Then another coaxial cable goes from the box (out) to the television. Then, the HDMI cable goes from the HDMI port on the cable box to the HDMI port on the television.

Coaxial cable is just what hooks you through the cable service. The HDMI cable is what gets you availed of the HD channels.

Did that make sense? It's quite easy. Then, if it's the first time you are using that cable box you might have to activate it - either on the phone with the cable company or just go online and you can activate it on your account possibly. With Charter that can be done, anyway.

Chickenbutt - you shouldn't need both the HDMI cord and the other cord from the box to the tv. The set up should work like this - cable from the wall to the box > HDMI cord from the box to the tv. If you have the cord with the red,,white, and yellow thingys (technical term, lol) also running from the box to the tv, this is duplicate. Plus the red, while, yellow connection is not HDMI.

Yeah, except I didn't say any of that. It's coaxial cable from wall to box. Another coaxial cable from box to tv. HDMI from cable box to tv. period.

I don't use the a/v (red/yellow/white) cables at all. Our cable co is all HD now so, as long as you have HDMI ports on your TVs, you have HD reception.

As I mentioned also, the coaxial cable is the cable-cable - it is a single cable that comes through your wall and needs to be connected to the box, then another one from box to tv in our Charter set up. Sounds like some set ups don't need two coaxial cables, but ours does. No a/v unless you don't have an hdmi port, then the a/v cables replace the hdmi.

I misunderstood. Thanks for explaining. Wow, didn't realize that Charter requires two cable hook ups. Mine is from Comcast, and only have the cable from the wall to the box as a hook up. Then from the box to the tv is an HDMI cable.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

glb613 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 21:55:37 GMT

You don't need to have a second coaxial cable from the cable box to the TV. Some don't realize the HDMI cable carries the signal, video, audio and replaces the need for the coaxial cable from the box to the TV.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Jordan2 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 23:28:38 GMT

On 3/28/2014 chickenbutt said:
Oh, well, if you don't even have an HD tv you'll have to forget about an HDMI cable altogether. It's still easy, though. Just no HD. You will have coaxial cable going into the box and then out of the box to the tv. Then the a/v cables that you have (the ones with red/white/yellow/green/blue) will go from box to tv. But usually you just need the red/white/yellow a/v cables.

So, if this stuff is already plugged in, what is the issue?

If you are getting a new TV - the 22" Samsung you mentioned - then that will be HD, no? So it will be back to just the coaxial cable and the HDMI cable.

I think you are making it more complicated than it needs to be. I know, I do that with some things I have less understanding of, so I understand. But just be calm and realize that this will be extremely easy. If you get a new HD TV, the HDMI cable will just replace the colored ones you now have and nothing else will change.

Plus, you can get instructions from your cable co website. I believe somebody already posted a link. Hopefully, your cable co has better instructions than mine did.

My tv is on life support! I am going to get a Samsung 22" tv. I'm surprised how affordable it is. I'm not handy or tech savvy so for me this is a challenge! The TWC guy made it seem like it's so easy to do.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

Jordan2 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 23:39:20 GMT

On 3/28/2014 nutmeg3 said:

On 3/28/2014 jordan2 said: I'm beginning to think I'm not going to be able to do this! Right now on my clunker of a set I have a black cord plugged into the cable box and into a surge protector. I then have a white cord that is screwed onto the back of the cable box. There is a white cable with about six color coded prongs. Only five of them are plugged in. The technician from TWC said that was because my set wasn't HD. He made it seem like it would be easy to hook up a new set and I didn't need anything additional. I'm so confused!

I am posting this video from TWC again, "How to setup your HD Cable Box".

http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/how-to-videos.html

There is another video next to it. "Understanding Wires".

nutmeg3 thank you so much for this link! I watched a few of the videos and if I understood I don't think I need HDMI cables since I have the cable that is color coded. I can always buy the HDMI cable if I find I need it. Thanks again.

Re: Question About HDMI Cable

chickenbutt — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 23:59:05 GMT

Hey Jordan! Well, the good thing is that, with getting the new tv set up, you'll have learned something new.

Seriously, though, the new TV is an HD TV and should have at least a couple of HDMI ports. Go to Walmart, or Amazon, and spend about $5 for an HDMI cable. When you use the HDMI cable instead of the colored cables you will have true HD TV and get all the HD channels. You'll be glad you did. You'll have a beautiful picture that's not all stretched out. Even old shows will look better.

All that assumes, of course, that there is an HDMI port also on the cable box. You'll just need one HDMI cable - to go from the box to the tv.