HDMI Cables

[Yeagermeister]

Only on this site could a thread about a cable go two pages. We'll argue about anything. :laugh2:

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Only on this site could a thread about a cable go two pages. We'll argue about anything. :laugh2:

No we won't! Now shut up! :

 

[theebs]

Is there much of a difference in quality from brand to brand? I see some for 80+ dollars and some for 15. Is there that big of a difference?

Do not waste your money on those ridiculously priced cables. For the most part and HDMI is an HDMI. You'll never tell the difference. Ever.

I read a write up once in an Audio Video magazine that once compared the highest end Monster stereo speaker wire to some Home Depot wire they sold. The Home Depot wire ran circles around the Monster stuff in their performance review. And the price??? You could buy 100 foot of the Home Depot wire for the price of 5 foot of the Monster cable.

Its all a ripoff. All of it. Save your money.

Its all preference.

Me Personally, I think there is a large difference.

Cables are the biggest arguing point in the audio/video world. Some say they are all the same others say you cant live without the best ones.

Me, I happen to fall on the end of wanting nice cables. The two hdmi's I use are tributaries silver hdmi. I love tributaries cables. Back when I had high end audio setups I only bought tributarie, interconnects, sub cables speaker cables etc....

I knew a guy who ran a high end audiovideo store in syracuse, My friend and I were in there constantly buying and returning stuff. He only used tributarie cables and never even tried to sell us anything else.

He showed us the markup on monster cables one time in 2001, it was 91% and they were made no different than all the other no name brand....it was just them trying to create a high quality brand.

They did make a nice pair of speaker cables, they were as thick as a hose and were made at a different place and by different people but were still monster. Those are the only monster cables I have ever owned.

so long story short, its all your preference. Some people buy a 5 dollar 10 foot hdmi cable and are completely satisfied and others do the opposite. If you dont compare them you will never know and if you are happy with the performance of the cheaper cable it will never matter.

I am picky about it because from my audio days where I owned about every receiver/amp/cd transport and speaker combo the cables mattered big time so in my mind they do for video also...that is why I use tributarie silver hdmi!

sorry for rambling.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Ok, that was HDMI cables. Now here is the next cable quality I would like to argue about.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Its all preference.

Me Personally, I think there is a large difference.

Cables are the biggest arguing point in the audio/video world. Some say they are all the same others say you cant live without the best ones.

Me, I happen to fall on the end of wanting nice cables. The two hdmi's I use are tributaries silver hdmi. I love tributaries cables. Back when I had high end audio setups I only bought tributarie, interconnects, sub cables speaker cables etc....

I knew a guy who ran a high end audiovideo store in syracuse, My friend and I were in there constantly buying and returning stuff. He only used tributarie cables and never even tried to sell us anything else.

He showed us the markup on monster cables one time in 2001, it was 91% and they were made no different than all the other no name brand....it was just them trying to create a high quality brand.

They did make a nice pair of speaker cables, they were as thick as a hose and were made at a different place and by different people but were still monster. Those are the only monster cables I have ever owned.

so long story short, its all your preference. Some people buy a 5 dollar 10 foot hdmi cable and are completely satisfied and others do the opposite. If you dont compare them you will never know and if you are happy with the performance of the cheaper cable it will never matter.

I am picky about it because from my audio days where I owned about every receiver/amp/cd transport and speaker combo the cables mattered big time so in my mind they do for video also...that is why I use tributarie silver hdmi!

sorry for rambling.

I agree, somewhat.

My experience in radio has led me to the higher end cables but I don't have a lot of experience in video. I know it makes a big difference in sound transfer but wasn't sure about video transfer.

Also, because of it's composition, would the video and audio transfer exactly the same using the high cost vs. low cost cables?

 

[theebs]

I agree, somewhat.

My experience in radio has led me to the higher end cables but I don't have a lot of experience in video. I know it makes a big difference in sound transfer but wasn't sure about video transfer.

Also, because of it's composition, would the video and audio transfer exactly the same using the high cost vs. low cost cables?

They should. I mean if your asking functionally then yea they are the same its just a matter of preference.

My parents have a similar tv as me, I bought them best buys brand hdmi...it looks great. I didnt notice any issues to be honest and they only paid about 20 bucks. If I used it more maybe I would have found a flaw or something in comparison but I havent done that.

I think one more thing to remember to is the quality of stuff u are using. I always kind of had a rule of thumb of buying everything around the same quality level...components and cables.

again though, there is no right or wrong answer.

 

[thewireman]

I am going to disagree here.

I bought a 52" Sony and they gave me a hdmi cable that was rated around 400 or so.

I was told I should get the Monster hdmi rated at 1000 and I would see the difference.

Fact is, you can see the difference. More crisp, more contrast on HD channels.

To me it was worth getting the Monster cable. I bought the tv for the HD and the monster cable gives you HIGHEST DEFINITION.

There's not that much difference, you cant make a digital signal any better than it already is, a digital signal is a digital signal, the only difference is the shielding and in some cases the type of connector being used. In your case the reason you might see a very slight difference is because your wires might be real close to more electrical equipment so the shielding is whats causing the minor difference.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

monoprice.com is a great place for all your cabling needs. A/V, networking, you name it...

 

[TheCount]

I agree, somewhat.

My experience in radio has led me to the higher end cables but I don't have a lot of experience in video. I know it makes a big difference in sound transfer but wasn't sure about video transfer.

Also, because of it's composition, would the video and audio transfer exactly the same using the high cost vs. low cost cables?

Well audio transfer is a bit different when you're talking analog transfer. Even today your wire from your amps to your speakers are going to be analog so yes, you want to buy high quality cables there.

But if you're talking digital sound transfer, there's no reason to break the bank. For the most part the signal either gets there or it doesn't. If you're dropping bits of data because of bad cables, it will be very easy to tell.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Well audio transfer is a bit different when you're talking analog transfer. Even today your wire from your amps to your speakers are going to be analog so yes, you want to buy high quality cables there.

But if you're talking digital sound transfer, there's no reason to break the bank. For the most part the signal either gets there or it doesn't. If you're dropping bits of data because of bad cables, it will be very easy to tell.

That's kinda what I was thinking. Thanks for confirming that.

 

[burmafrd]

I got some of that thick Monster stuff years ago. I tried some cheaper stuff that was thinner and I could tell the difference easily. But a lot of monster stuff is no better then anyone elses. The real cheap stuff is usually just that. You get what you paid for. Rule of thumb is avoid the high and low end and buy in the middle.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

I got some of that thick Monster stuff years ago. I tried some cheaper stuff that was thinner and I could tell the difference easily. But a lot of monster stuff is no better then anyone elses. The real cheap stuff is usually just that. You get what you paid for. Rule of thumb is avoid the high and low end and buy in the middle.

That's kind of apples and oranges. Comparing different gauges of speaker wire is like comparing different bra sizes. Sure they might both strap em in just fine, but one is going to do the job much more adequately than another.

If you were to compare Monster cable of the same gauge as the generic cable, the difference if any would be indistinguishable.

 

[magwhump]

Not that you'll likely notice...

I order all of my cables from HERE...

Great service, fast shipping and high quality...

You can't beat a 15' gold plated cable for $4.25...

Very nice website! Thanks trickblue!

I recently got 9 sets of 6' HDMI cables on ebay for under $30.00 total, and with free shipping. They work great on my 65" Mitsubishi HDTV, and both 32" TVs for the kids. Even with the Blue Ray players & game systems, I still have a couple of the cables left over.
If I ever need more, I'll remember to go to Bestlink.

 

[Kevinicus]

This is such a non argument it's silly. There is no "better" quality picture from different HDMI cables. There is either you get the picture, or there is interference and it doesn't come through clean. And this is HDMI, it's digital, so if it doesn't come through clean, it's either not coming through at all, or you'll get all that blocky crap (everyone with a Satellite knows what I'm talking about here. When there's a storm and the signal is kinda going in and out and it comes in all blocky). You are not going to get the picture but just at a lower quality. It doesn't work like that. It's data, 10101010.

Better cables for analog signals are one thing, but for digital, for HDMI (which is what this thread is about), IT DOES NOT MATTER! It's not a matter of opinion, it is scientific fact.

Like I mentioned, and someone else mentioned before, the only real difference is going to be in the shielding, and maybe the quality, or longevity of the cable. Even if your setup causes you to need better shielding (very few will), then you're still going to just need an decently built cable, and those might run you $25 at Wal-Mart.

$70, $100, $200 cables are flat out, 100% a waste of money, and a ripoff.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Well after three pages of debate and searching the net for professional opinions I decided to go cheap.

I found a 6' HDMI cable at Big Lots for 12.00.

It says it's compatible with 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolution formats.

Also says it has dual aluminum shielding to reduce interference.

Has 24k gold-plated connectors.

Tinned copper banding and conductors.

So there you have it. The set gets delivered and set up tomorrow. We'll know then if it was a good choice.

 

[magwhump]

Its funny... When I was a kid, I thought I was crappin' in tall cotton when I got a 13" B&W TV in my room... That's Black & White for you youngsters.

Now, after being completely spoiled by huge screens in Hi-Def... I couldn't imagine ever going back to squinting at a tiny, colorless screen again.

Just think what it will be like 20 - 30 years from now.

Will we one day be able to get "holographic seats" on the 50 yard line & experience every nuance of a live NFL game while never leaving the comfort our living rooms?
The way technology is progressing, that concept doesn't seem so far fetched anymore.
We're several decades away from something like that, of course... But it is possible.

Enjoy your new HDTV Cajuncowboy!

I hope it brings you many years of viewing pleasure!

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Its funny... When I was a kid, I thought I was crappin' in tall cotton when I got a 13" B&W TV in my room... That's Black & White for you youngsters.

Now, after being completely spoiled by huge screens in Hi-Def... I couldn't imagine ever going back to squinting at a tiny, colorless screen again.

Just think what it will be like 20 - 30 years from now.

Will we one day be able to get "holographic seats" on the 50 yard line & experience every nuance of a live NFL game while never leaving the comfort our living rooms?
The way technology is progressing, that concept doesn't seem so far fetched anymore.
We're several decades away from something like that, of course... But it is possible.

Enjoy your new HDTV Cajuncowboy!

I hope it brings you many years of viewing pleasure!

Thanks.

I can't believe I went so long without it. It is amazing.

 

[TheCount]

Will we one day be able to get "holographic seats" on the 50 yard line & experience every nuance of a live NFL game while never leaving the comfort our living rooms?

Not if the NFL has anything to say about it. Unless you're willing to pay prices close to ticket prices anyway.

 

[CliffnDallas]

Unless you are wireing a home thearter the size of a small aricraft hanger, The cheap HDMI stuff is fine. If you pay more than $20 for a cable you should be held for mental examination.