A method for optimizing the performance of an active HDMI cable. An active cable compensator is provided within the HDMI cable itself. The parameters controlling each of the active components (such as parameters setting gain and frequency distribution) within an individual HDMI cable are set through a programming process. The programming is preferably performed with the cable installed between the actual source and actual sink it will be connecting. The HDMI cable includes an internal controller that governs the equalizers and other active functions. A memory is connected to this controller so that settings may be retained even when power is lost.