Best Way to Connect My Gaming PC to a TV: Micro-HDMI vs Ethernet with HDMI Adapters?
Asked by
GamerDude92
I'm trying to set up my gaming PC on one end of my living room and connect it to my TV on the opposite side, running the cable through an electrical conduit that's about 2 cm in diameter. Since a standard HDMI cable won't fit, I've been looking into two options: using a micro-HDMI cable with adapters on both ends or going with a LAN cable combined with HDMI-to-Ethernet adapters. My gaming PC is pretty powerful with an RTX 4080, so I want to ensure I get the best video quality and performance possible—think resolution, refresh rate, and input lag. Which option do you think would yield the best results? Also, if you have any recommendations for specific cables or devices, along with links, I'd appreciate that. My TV is currently 4K, but I might upgrade in the future if this setup goes well. Thanks for your help!
Answers
HDMI to Ethernet can lose quality because of the compression needed to transmit the signals, while micro-HDMI is just a physical size change. My advice? Run the HDMI cable through the conduit and use wall plates for the connectors, keeping everything neat and secure inside the wall. Just make sure you’re not sharing conduit space with power cables—it can be a fire hazard!
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The ideal option is to run an HDMI cable with wall plates for a clean connection, although it requires a bit of manual effort. Alternatively, if you really need an easier solution, consider using something like Moonlight for wireless streaming, assuming your TV supports it.
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If your run is longer than 5-10 meters, you’ll want to explore optical HDMI cables. They might work well with your RTX 4080 but it can be a bit hit or miss. If you’re considering extenders, I’d recommend the Lightware brand.
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Wireless connections are a no-go. Stick to using HDMI adapters for the best results!
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Using a micro-HDMI cable can work if you opt for an HDMI 2.1 version, but a more straightforward solution might be to get an HDMI cable with detachable connectors. This way, you can sneak the smaller plug through the wall and attach the bulkier adapters once it’s out. However, going with HDMI to Ethernet can lead to some quality loss since it relies on compression, making it less ideal for gaming—better for presentations than for playing.
TechSavvyTom: I hadn’t heard about detachable HDMI cables before, but that sounds super useful for tight spaces!
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CableGuru: I looked up optical HDMI cables and found this great option that’s resistant to interference. Definitely worth checking out!