Chord Company's latest HDMI cables include the flagship Epic offering up to 8K playback, 48Gbps transfer rates and advanced chipsets (up to HDMI 2.1).
As well as sporting The Chord Company's build quality, the new HDMI cables feature copper, optical and hybrid designs, as well as slotting neatly into the Wiltshire company's groupings with the Clearway HDMI, Shawline HDMI and Epic HDMI. The three newcomers join the existing entry-level c-View HDMI, priced from just £35.
Clearway HDMI
Clearway HDMI boasts shielded plugs, increased bandwidth and thicker high-quality copper conductors coated with a skin/foamed polyethylene insulation. Five pairs of conductors are individually shielded, then further protected by a twin aluminium foil outer screen.
The Clearway's construction also enables it to perform on runs up to 10 metres while providing support for: 4K2K; 6Hz 18GBps HDR; HDCP2.2; Deep Colour; Ethernet/audio return; 1080p; 3D and all HDMI audio formats.
Chord Company HDMI AOC (Active Optical Cables)
Unlike TOSLINK cables, where the entire signal is carried down optical fibres, HDMI AOC cable is an advanced hybrid of seven copper cables and four optical fibres. The advantage of optical fibre is that it doesn't pick up HF noise, unlike copper. This potential weakness, coupled with the longer cable lengths involved, means that HF noise on the signal earth is inevitable.
Even though this is a digital 'optical' cable, engineers have to ensure that the copper elements are fully protected from external HF noise pollution. Therefore, beneath the outer PVC jacket, the company has incorporated a double aluminium foil shielding system for even greater performance.
Shawline HDMI AOC
Shawline HDMI AOC uses a high-quality True HDMI 2.0 chipset at both ends, plus the highest OM3 grade (over 10 Gb bandwidth) glass fibres, rather than the typical OM2 (up to 1GB bandwidth), says Chord Company. Also, we are promised improved audio performance as the optical fibre is "immune to HF noise". Shawline HDMI is available in 1-20m standard lengths, with custom lengths of up to 150m available by special order.
Epic HDMI AOC
The flagship Epic HDMI AOC is an 8K-compatible optical/copper hybrid with extensive HF noise protection for the copper elements. Additionally, the advanced HDMI 2.1 chipset offers the maximum performance, making it ideal for installations thanks to its into-the-future specification, says the manufacturer.
HDMI 2.1 can process image quality up to 10K at 100Hz, making it an equally good choice for movies and bleeding-edge gaming.
Chord Company's HDMI cables are available now with the Clearway HDMI priced from £60, the Shawline HDMI cost starts at £250, and the Epic HDMI goes up from £500.
The Chord Company cables are handmade and available in a variety of standard lengths. Clearway 0.75-10m; Shawline and Epic: 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, 8m, 10m, 15m and 20m. Furthermore, custom lengths of up to 100m (Epic) and 150m (Shawline) can be arranged by special order.
See The Chord Company for more information
Posted in: Hi-Fi | Home Theatre | Integration
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