Methods and apparatus for the safe negotiation of high current for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) active cable assembly. In one embodiment, a method for detecting a Power for Cable Assembly (PCA)-capable source is disclosed, the method including: detecting, by a cable assembly, an assertion of a defined voltage on a power supply pin; forwarding an assertion of a hot plug detect signal pin, by the cable assembly, from a sink device towards the PCA-capable source; detecting, by the cable assembly, a reduction in the defined voltage on the power supply pin for a defined period of time in response to the forwarding; and detecting, by the cable assembly, a re-assertion of the defined voltage on the power supply pin subsequent to the lapse of the defined period of time. PCA dependent cable assemblies and PCA capable source devices are also disclosed.