1. >
2. Knowledge Catalog >

Flat HDMI cables - a new old trend?

It's obvious: the trend in consumer electronics is toward slimness mania. Flat TVs, flat wall mounts, flat TV programming. But what disturbs the aesthetics? Right. Thick HDMI cables. A problem?

Flat HDMI cables for flat TV sets
HDMI cable manufacturers are also recognizing this trend - and selling flat HDMI cables as an added benefit. Of course, this is not a new issue. HDMI flat cables have been around for years. However, thin, flexible HDMI cables seem to be experiencing a real revival lately.

Accessory specialist Hama, for example, has announced an entire line of HDMI cables made specifically to meet the needs of flat TV screens and wall mounts:

Hama also has the right solution here and carries ultra-flat HDMI and antenna cables in its range. The plugs are significantly smaller in relation to conventional cables and, since they hardly add any bulk, are also suitable for connections on the back of the TV. The "Flexi-Slim" cables are more flexible and can be routed close to the device. Of course, they are available in different lengths. (hama)

The manufacturer makes itself pay well for this feature. Of course, these ultra-slim HDMI cables don't deliver a better picture than normal high-speed cables. But at least not a worse one either.

Are flat HDMI cables worth the extra cost?
Many cable manufacturers have recognized that additional, sometimes absurd, extra features in HDMI cables do not create added value. The producers are now trying to fight the constantly falling prices for HDMI cables through the cable design.

After all, aesthetics play an important role for many users. No one wants to disfigure their ultra-flat HD TV, which was mounted on the wall with a lot of love and as little distance as possible, with a thick, inflexible HDMI cable.

Flat HDMI cables for flat equipment
Comparison: Flexible HDMI cable vs. thick HDMI cable

A thin, flexible cable thus often offers a real additional benefit. And manufacturers make them pay well for it.

We think: That's fair. Better flat cables than HDMI cables with virus protection. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to the Achilles heel of all flat HDMI cables: the shielding. Normally, the thick, somewhat inflexible jacket has an important function of shielding the signal from external interference (such as power sources). So if you plan to use an HDMI cable in a cable duct together with other (power) cables, you should take the precaution of using a proven, well-stripped cable.

HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort: Interconnecting digital video ports
4 reasons why HDMI cable test reports are superfluous
How to connect a laptop to a TV: This is how everyone does it! (HDMI, DVI, VGA)
HDMI cable: what length is allowed and how to extend?
First monitors with HDMI 2.0 are out
HDMI expansion made easy: Multiple devices on one HDMI port without reconnection
HDMI Wireless: Establish Wireless HDMI Connection - How to do it
HDMI 2.0 or: the step to Ultra HD
Convert VGA to HDMI - this is how it works