If you're investing in a new TV, is it worth upgrading your HDMI cables at the same time.

What’s in an HDMI cable? They’re all quite similar, aren’t they? An HDMI cable that connects your set-top box, soundbar or Blu-ray player to your TV transmits digital signals in ones and zeros. Does it matter what kind of cable you use? In my experience, it does matter, although I’m not a believer in the type of snake oil that some very high-end cable brands spout. Hdmi Arc Cable

I remember when I bought my Apple TV 4K and connected it to my TV a couple of years back. I used the HDMI cable that was there from my old set-top box. The picture quality was jerky so I tried to use the settings to change the picture refresh rate to 60Hz. Unfortunately, that option was greyed out. My HDMI cable wasn’t up to standard and I had to buy a new one. Once I had done that, everything was ok and the picture no longer stuttered; all was good.

According to Legrand, a sub-brand of C2G, a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, the quality of the HDMI cable you use matters a lot. With modern hi-res 4K and 8K TVs, HDMI cables must carry vast amounts of data and need to be well shielded against interference from other pieces of electronic equipment.

I first noticed that my HDMI cable wasn't good enough when I tried connecting my new Apple TV 4K a ... [+] couple of years back.

The new Legrand Performance Series of Ultra-High-Speed HDMI cables with Ethernet are now available for high-end AV users who need the best cable quality without busting the budget. The new Performance Series cables have a high bandwidth of 48Gbps while supporting all the HDMI 2.1 features — including uncompressed 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. The cables can also handle dynamic HDR and eARC. This makes them ideal for high-resolution video production, broadcasting and gaming applications.

With support for dynamic HDR, the Performance Series cables optimize video on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis. C2G claims they provide an extended contrast range, delivering darker blacks, brighter whites, plus greater image detail across all color spaces. In addition, with eARC capability, they can support the latest audio formats, including uncompressed 5.1, 7.2, and 32-channel audio.

These days, more of us are taking the time to get to grips with our cable management, including putting cables behind walls. These new cables have an in-wall (CMG/FT4) rated jacket that enables installers to run them safely inside walls for a cleaner and clutter-free finish. For use in high-density environments, the cables have a compact overmolding and integrated finger grips on the connectors for easier insertion and removal.

The new range of Legrand Performance Series of Ultra-High-Speed HDMI cables with Ethernet are now ... [+] available for high-end AV users who need the best cable quality without busting the budget.

Anyone who has ever fumbled around the back of a TV trying to connect an HDMI cable knows exactly how frustrating a process can be. The Performance Series has gripping connectors that C2G claims have twice the port retention of ordinary cables, keeping devices firmly connected, while the gold-plated connectors offer better shielding, increased conductivity and durability. All the Performance Series cables are certified for low EMI, reducing interference with wireless networks, streaming media players, Bluetooth devices and mobile phones.

Pricing & Availability: The Legrand Performance Series Ultra-High-Speed HDMI cables with Ethernet are available through retailers or direct from C2G. They are available in five lengths, ranging from 2 feet to 12 feet, plus a lifetime warranty backs all cables. Prices start at $30.99.

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