HDMI cable tester

[Donald]

Any recommendations for an HDMI cable tester? All I see on Amazon are the ones that are a two piece set with a row of LEDs.

Maybe one that can test the quality of the cable vs just that it has 10? wires and they are all there and connected to the right pins. Just guessing at 10 wires. But you get the idea.

 

[dishdude]

I don't think there's a way to test the quality of the cable due to it being digital. It passes the 0's and 1's or it doesn't.

 

[Nukeman7]

What is the reason or purpose for needing a HDMI cable tester? Wouldn't you just hook up the output source to the display with the HDMI cable to determine if it works or not. Is this for some professional installation of a HDMI cable that runs hundreds of feet in length where signal strength loss would be a concern?

 

[Donald]

I don't think there's a way to test the quality of the cable due to it being digital. It passes the 0's and 1's or it doesn't.

Network cables (CAT6 for example) can certainly be tested for quality. Can the cable be driven at 1Gbs and meet specs. 10Gbs.

 

[Donald]

What is the reason or purpose for needing a HDMI cable tester? Wouldn't you just hook up the output source to the display with the HDMI cable to determine if it works or not. Is this for some professional installation of a HDMI cable that runs hundreds of feet in length where signal strength loss would be a concern?

One of the streaming cameras at church drops from time to time. So first thought is the check the HDMI cable. It 50' to 75' from the looks. Cable is buried in the ceiling and wall. So not trivial to run new cable.

 

[Nukeman7]

One of the streaming cameras at church drops from time to time. So first thought is the check the HDMI cable. It 50' to 75' from the looks. Cable is buried in the ceiling and wall. So not trivial to run new cable.

Would it be practical (or easier) to swap the camera unit with a similar one that is currently mounted at a different location? I would suspect a faulty camera is more likely the issue than a HDMI cable that is statically mounted in a ceiling sheltered from the elements. I guess a mouse or rodent could have compromised the cable, albeit unlikely.

 

[JMJNet]

For that type of length, are they powered cable aka directional?

 

[Donald]

Would it be practical (or easier) to swap the camera unit with a similar one that is currently mounted at a different location? I would suspect a faulty camera is more likely the issue than a HDMI cable that is statically mounted in a ceiling sheltered from the elements. I guess a mouse or rodent could have compromised the cable, albeit unlikely.

The cameras are PTZ and a couple of thousand dollars. No spare. And it's not a consistent failure. I think it worked solid for 45 minutes and then flaky for the next 15 minutes.

 

[97prizm]

One of the streaming cameras at church drops from time to time. So first thought is the check the HDMI cable. It 50' to 75' from the looks. Cable is buried in the ceiling and wall. So not trivial to run new cable.

Which version of HDMI is the cable? I know that for 4k and 8k you definitely need a better cable. Is it possible that there is interference from somewhere causing dropouts? Several years ago (I'd have to look) someone tested a whole bunch of hdmi cables and for the most part cheap cables worked as well as $100 cable. However over roughly 30ft the more expensive cable did have less dropouts in pictures and audio.

 

[mk378]

Temporarily connect it with a new cable strung however you can. If that works, the cable in the wall needs replacing. If it still does not work, you can rule out the cable.

 

[y_p_w]

What is the reason or purpose for needing a HDMI cable tester? Wouldn't you just hook up the output source to the display with the HDMI cable to determine if it works or not. Is this for some professional installation of a HDMI cable that runs hundreds of feet in length where signal strength loss would be a concern?

The capability of the cable matters when it comes to passing the maximum amount of data. A standard HDMI plug can pass speeds from 4.95 Gb/sec (1080i or 720p) to 48 Gb/sec (8K). But it's a matter of the cabling.

https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/prod...s/cpdi-vertical-marketing/hdmi-explained.html​

HDMI cable types​

CABLE TYPE	RESOLUTION	BANDWITH
Standard (category 1)	1080i or 720p	4.95 Gb/s
Standard with ethernet	1080i or 720p, plus a dedicated HDMI ethernet channel	4.95 Gb/s
High speed (category 2)	1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz	10.2 Gb/s
High speed with ethernet	1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz, plus a dedicated HDMI ethernet channel	10.2 Gb/s
Category 3 (4K)	4K @ 60 Hz	18 Gb/s
Category 3 (8K)	8K @ 60 Hz or 4K @ 120 Hz	48 Gb/s

Testing would probably be a matter of progressively increasing the data rate.

I suppose you might be able to do this by trying it out, but it might test well one day and fail the next. But I believe it will probably reduce the data rate and resolution, like how ethernet reduces data rate with inadequate cabling.

 

[Donald]

The capability of the cable matters when it comes to passing the maximum amount of data. A standard HDMI plug can pass speeds from 4.95 Gb/sec (1080i or 720p) to 48 Gb/sec (8K). But it's a matter of the cabling.

https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/prod...s/cpdi-vertical-marketing/hdmi-explained.html​

HDMI cable types​

CABLE TYPE	RESOLUTION	BANDWITH
Standard (category 1)	1080i or 720p	4.95 Gb/s
Standard with ethernet	1080i or 720p, plus a dedicated HDMI ethernet channel	4.95 Gb/s
High speed (category 2)	1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz	10.2 Gb/s
High speed with ethernet	1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz, plus a dedicated HDMI ethernet channel	10.2 Gb/s
Category 3 (4K)	4K @ 60 Hz	18 Gb/s
Category 3 (8K)	8K @ 60 Hz or 4K @ 120 Hz	48 Gb/s

Testing would probably be a matter of progressively increasing the data rate.

I suppose you might be able to do this by trying it out, but it might test well one day and fail the next. But I believe it will probably reduce the data rate and resolution, like how ethernet reduces data rate with inadequate cabling.

Then there is the length. I am guessing it's 40' to 50'. Could be some coiled up I cannot see.

I think the best solution is to buy HDMI to SDI converters and run coax. My guess is the camera may be on the other edge for length from ATEM.

 

[y_p_w]

There are cable testers out there where both plugs are inserted and it can determine the maximum speed supported. They cost anywhere from $20 to $15,000.

This one does it all for $15,000.

https://www.totalphase.com/products/advanced-cable-tester-v2/​

Advanced Cable Tester v2​

$15,000​

Part Number: TP800210​

​

Availability: In-Stock​

​

The Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2 is the quickest and most convenient way to comprehensively test USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort cables. Combining blazing fast performance with a low cost per test and a rugged design, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 enables rapid spot-checking of cables with easy-to-understand reports for 100% test coverage in lab and production environments at a fraction of the price, time, and labor versus other solutions.​

​

Whether your application is full quality control in a factory or statistical process control in a laboratory, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 will provide high precision and accuracy with thorough test coverage, without expensive scopes, custom fixtures, or highly trained personnel, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.​

It is modular with several different interfaces that are popped in as needed. It connects via a web interface, but needs a computer to connect to it via ethernet or USB for that access.

 

[goblin]

...to $15,000...

And suddenly, crickets...

Anyway. For any cabling solutions, I use the good folks at Firefold. Firefold dot com.
I discovered them in the early 2010's when I had to do cabling at work and wasn't happy with Amazon's prices, and they are still in business. Which is a good sign in my book.
Their LAN inline couplers have spared me a lot of gray hairs. They are always good for thos little bits you never knew existed but knew you can't live without.

 

[y_p_w]

And suddenly, crickets...

Anyway. For any cabling solutions, I use the good folks at Firefold. Firefold dot com.
I discovered them in the early 2010's when I had to do cabling at work and wasn't happy with Amazon's prices, and they are still in business. Which is a good sign in my book.
Their LAN inline couplers have spared me a lot of gray hairs. They are always good for thos little bits you never knew existed but knew you can't live without.

It's kind of interesting seeing how expensive some of this specialty equipment gets. I suppose something from Agilent or Teledyne might be overkill, although they're really meant for testing equipment during development.

 

[goblin]

It's a tool. Any tool that pays for itself is inexpensive.
I used work IT at a garment business, one day some law came up requiring reports on t
he lead and other metals content in the threads in the fabrics we used. Fair game, as we were doing kids clothes, from newborns up.
Pretty much the next day a Nitton analyzer materialized in the main office. Looked like a heavy hairdryer with a lead/heavy metal nose. $30k+.
But point it at the garment, pull the trigger and two beeps later it would spit the complete composition of whatever you were pointing it to. Independent analysis would have cost us orders of magnitude more.

 

[Donald]

There are cable testers out there where both plugs are inserted and it can determine the maximum speed supported. They cost anywhere from $20 to $15,000.

This one does it all for $15,000.

https://www.totalphase.com/products/advanced-cable-tester-v2/​

Advanced Cable Tester v2​

$15,000​

Part Number: TP800210​

​

Availability: In-Stock​

​

The Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2 is the quickest and most convenient way to comprehensively test USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort cables. Combining blazing fast performance with a low cost per test and a rugged design, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 enables rapid spot-checking of cables with easy-to-understand reports for 100% test coverage in lab and production environments at a fraction of the price, time, and labor versus other solutions.​

​

Whether your application is full quality control in a factory or statistical process control in a laboratory, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 will provide high precision and accuracy with thorough test coverage, without expensive scopes, custom fixtures, or highly trained personnel, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.​

It is modular with several different interfaces that are popped in as needed. It connects via a web interface, but needs a computer to connect to it via ethernet or USB for that access.

The local company many churches use for audio/video and some network does not have a Fluke cable analyzer for $2000 to test CAT6 cables. Doubt they would have a $15000 cable tester for HDMI. But I will ask. The more professional would use SDI.

 

[PandaBear]

One of the streaming cameras at church drops from time to time. So first thought is the check the HDMI cable. It 50' to 75' from the looks. Cable is buried in the ceiling and wall. So not trivial to run new cable.

In that case it would be probably best to take the camera out and bring it to the recorder and test it with a "known good reference" cable. Do you have a way to swap cameras around and see whether the problem follows the cable or the camera?

Cable tester cannot test for intermittent issues reliably either, they will also go ok for a long time then suddenly go bad once in a while on a tester the same way.

 

[PandaBear]

It's kind of interesting seeing how expensive some of this specialty equipment gets. I suppose something from Agilent or Teledyne might be overkill, although they're really meant for testing equipment during development.

Those expensive equipment are for R&D and not home / small office troubleshooting.

If you run a factory and test 5000 cables a day that's the kind of reliability you want, not 1 every 5 months. Specialty equipment may use expensive high durability sockets or connectors that is rated for 500+ times instead of those rated for 50-100 only.

As for how to test digital cables, the same for analog cables looking into the scope for the signal's noise level (typically the eye diagram looking at the rising falling edge and high / low signals). Without knowledge of how it supposed to look like it will still be impossible to tell if the signal is good or not. I don't know if you can tell much by HDMI's ECC count or SNR, or dropped packet / frame count. For just 1 unit that started to go bad I would just swap pieces till I can find the problem following one specific parts (i.e. camera).

 

[Donald]

Those expensive equipment are for R&D and not home / small office troubleshooting.

If you run a factory and test 5000 cables a day that's the kind of reliability you want, not 1 every 5 months. Specialty equipment may use expensive high durability sockets or connectors that is rated for 500+ times instead of those rated for 50-100 only.

As for how to test digital cables, the same for analog cables looking into the scope for the signal's noise level (typically the eye diagram looking at the rising falling edge and high / low signals). Without knowledge of how it supposed to look like it will still be impossible to tell if the signal is good or not. I don't know if you can tell much by HDMI's ECC count or SNR, or dropped packet / frame count. For just 1 unit that started to go bad I would just swap pieces till I can find the problem following one specific parts (i.e. camera).

Fluke can do what I need for network cables with their Fluke cable analyzer. Just looking for a similar tester for HDMI cables.