In order to save others from often tedious, redundant research on simple/common issues or questions – I share my research in brief form on HDMI cables for end users concerned about hi-quality and hi-resolution video/audio performance. Hoping this is helpful, else moderator is welcome to delete.

HDMI CAT-2 cables (HDMI 1.3, 1.3a, or 1.3b) are high-speed and with digital single-link bandwidth of 340MHz (10.2Gbps); supports 10-bit, 12-bit, and 16-bit RGB or YCbCr; and can easily handle 1080p signals with increased color depths and increased refresh rates from the source. Also supports resolutions of 2560x1600.

HDMI CAT-1 (HDMI 1.2a) are Standard cables and tested to perform at speeds of 75MHz or up to 2.25Gbps, which is equivalent to a 720p/1080i signal.

Wire gauges range between 22AWG to 28AWG (22awg is best)(heavy shielding best)

HDMI specification is backwards compatible & supports HD lossless digital audio formats

HDMI 1.4 defines two new cables: Std HDMI Cable with Ethernet & High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet at up to 100Mbps. Supports up to 4x the resolution of 1080p: 3840x2160 @24Hz, 25Hz, & 30Hz; and 4096x2160 @ 24Hz.

Several manufacturers are now selling “port savers” – short, flexible sections of HDMI cable that easily bend at a right angle for applications where the HDMI cable requires a 90 degree bend directly out of the connector. Without these “port savers,” heavier cables can put undue pressure on the connector and the connectors can dislodge.

I've moved this thread to the Tutorials and Links forum.