How Big Conduit for a HDMI cable?

It’s becoming pretty common to install TVs, projectors, and other A/V systems in homes. While it’s an exciting project, knowing how to correctly do the installation to a point where there is no sight of a cable is where most people get stuck.

Questions like should I go for in-wall installation or what size of HDMI conduits should I buy become the norm.

If you are presently at this point, this is the right post for you.

You will learn how to tell the size of the conduit you need. You will also get to know whether or not all HDMI cords are the same.

Are HDMI cords all the same?

There are currently only two standards of HDMI. The HDMI standard and HDMI high-speed, both of which are available in different versions.

HDMI standard supports lower resolution output while the high speed supports high-resolution output like the 4K Ultra HD.

Other than that, all HDMI cords are the same. The cheap and the expensive all function the same and produce the same results.

Doubt that?

Let me explain.

You see, all HDMI cables practically have the same components and structure. They all have 19 individual wires that are connected to 19 pins. Each of the individual wires has a specific function like transmitting video signal and audio signal.

There is nothing more these bits of metal do other than conducting the signals. They don’t process, tweak or convert signals because there is no intelligence built into them. 

This means, therefore, that every HDMI cable will output the same picture quality or audio quality that it is fed with.

The only significant difference between HDMI cords is the quality in build. 

Expensive cords have a much better quality build and are more rugged, which you can tell immediately when you hold one.

There is certainly no reason to fork out a fortune to buy an HDMI cord unless you will constantly need to plug and unplug it in. You are better off purchasing a budget Amazon cable.

To sum it up, expensive HDMI cords do not offer better audio or picture quality than cheap ones. All cables are the same and only differ in the quality of the assembly. 

CNET has a detailed science-backed explanation that you can read here. 

How do I know what size conduit I need?

 

Well, there is no standard size conduit for HDMI. You could go for a ¾”, 1” or even 11/2” conduit. It will depend on the style and brand of the cord you choose because the portends may differ in size.

Some cords have larger connectors while others have smaller connectors, therefore, needing a smaller-sized conduit.

One other thing that should guide you when choosing the conduit size is potential future upgrades.

If you know for sure, you may do some upgrades in the future, which you should always plan for, even if not in the near future, it’s only logical that you go for a conduit size that will allow for that.

Say, for instance, your HDMI cable can run through a 1” PVC conduit today, then you may want to consider an 11/2” conduit. This should be sufficient enough for larger runs in the future.

There is no harm in having a bigger conduit but having a smaller size will cost you in the future!

FAQs:

Will an HDMI cable fit in a 3/4”, 1” conduit?

Yes, an HDMI cord will fit in either a ¾ or a 1” PVC conduit if no other cables or wires are running through it.

However, for the ¾” especially, it will be hard to fish it through, given that the widest end of the HDMI cord is ¾”. It’s best to go for a bigger size. 11/2” onwards will be a good size.

Whichever size you go for, be sure to leave enough room for pulling a replacement when needed or for upgrading.

How do I connect HDMI to the conduit?

The best way to feed your cord through the conduit is to use glass fiber fish tape. It is flexible enough to pull through corners yet stiff enough to pull through smoothly.

To pull the cord, you will first need to push the fish tape through first until it comes out of the other end.

Then tape one end of the cord to the other end of fish tape and pull the fish tape until the cord is back through.

To avoid the cord getting stuck, tape over the corners of the connector. Should it get stuck, don’t pull it forcefully, instead wiggle it until it’s unstuck. 

You can also use a string and tape it to the cable, as Jacob Kurtenbach shows in this video tutorial. 

How wide is an HDMI cable end?

The ends of the HDMI cable measure ¾ inches wide. Both ends of the cable are the same.

Conclusion 

Whether going for in-wall HDMI installation or off-wall installation, one thing is for sure; you will need to run the cable through a conduit. 

Therefore knowing the size of the conduit needed is an integral part of the installation. Now that you know what factors to consider to determine the size of the conduit, we hope you will have an easy time with the installation.