HDMI cables

[WoodPeckr]

From today's Buffalo paper

Don Lindich's Tech Q&A:

Q: Have your thoughts on HDMI cables changed at all since you wrote your last column on the topic? I saw some device recently that required an HDMI cable certified for 10gb/sec or something like that, and I wondered if that translated to “more expensive.”

A: My thoughts have not changed at all. You should not waste money on expensive HDMI cables, which are one of the biggest rip-offs in the entire consumer world. Why spend $40, $80, or even $100 or more for a single HDMI cable when you can get them for well under $10 each at places like Amazon.com or Monoprice.com. The high-speed cables you refer to can be found at these prices all day long.

 

[audi010]

Dynex is for 7 bucks at futureshop.

Just make sure you get something that is long enough for whatever you are using it for.

Ive used Rocketfish and Sony and Dynex. All seem to be the same quality exactly.

 

[Rockslinger]

Audio 2001 tried to sell me a SONY HDMI cable for $80. Why does SONY overprice all their stuff?

 

[trod]

One of the biggest rip offs in the world at the moment.

I haven't spent more than $15 on an HDMI cable ( and that was for a 20' long one ). Only thing to check is the version, 1.3, 1.4a, et al and that it matches to where you want to plug them ( be it your receiver, TV... )

 

[nsgal]

You need a HDMI cable v 1.3 or greater, you won't have a need for a 1.4 cable for a long time as it only adds Ethernet capabilities. Both cables types (1.3 and 1.4) operate at 340 MHz so aside from a few extra wires, for Ethernet, there's no difference. If you want 1080p video buy practically anything you can get online (the shorter the better). If you eventually get a 3D TV then upgrade cables at that time as they'll be less expensive by then.

If you're going to do a long run and have run into issues then buy some shorter cables and repeaters.

 

[Sexy_Dave]

I thought I would necro this thread so that anyone in the market for HDMI cables can refer to this now that the licensing body is adding certification program. Just because the cable is now certified for 4K content does not mean that one that isn't certified won't do the job. Caveat Emptor.

http://www.cnet.com/news/premium-hdmi-cable-certification-program-what-you-need-to-know/

On the issue of cable length however, if you need to run 20feet or more then it is recommended that you get an 'active' cable. Redmere technology which has a chip in the connectors that draws a small amount of power from your device to boost the signal.

http://www.cnet.com/news/monoprices-ultraslim-60-foot-hdmi-cable-with-redmere-hands-on/

 

[hungry]

I bought a 6' HDMI cable at Dollarama for 2-3 dollars, works fine.

 

[Ridgeman08]

I bought a 6' HDMI cable at Dollarama for 2-3 dollars, works fine.

LoL, I know eh! I've seen the "high end" ones at a liquidation and surplus stores for a fraction of the cost of the same cables from Best Buy et al.

 

[sauna1701]

I bought a 6' HDMI cable at Dollarama for 2-3 dollars, works fine.

As long as you are not moving cable around, Dollarama stuff seems fine. I have several HDMI cables from Dollarama and they are still running after 2 years. Cables such as earbuds only last a couple days. I find the wiring is prone to breaking due to many movements we put them through.

 

[SkyRider]

I bought a 6' HDMI cable at Dollarama for 2-3 dollars, works fine.

Is it true that this will work for 4K TV's as well?

 

[bolt.upright]

Is it true that this will work for 4K TV's as well?

Of course. Same with speaker wire--as long as the electricity gets through they're all the same. The problem with the dollar store stuff is that they are not very well built and tend to break easily.

 

[hungry]

Of course. Same with speaker wire--as long as the electricity gets through they're all the same. The problem with the dollar store stuff is that they are not very well built and tend to break easily.

I don't know about that, I have had my HDMI cable for about 3 years and it seems well built and actually quite heavy duty. It seems as good as any I have seen at Best Buy or equivalent.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Back in Dec 2011 got 3, 6' HDMI cables from Newegg .com for .99 cents each with free shipping.
Still using them today with no issues.

 

[GameBoy27]

I can add that I purchased a 35 foot HDMI cable and a 35 foot optical cable from monoprice. They arrived after about a week and work great. Nice long cables that allowed me to run HDMI to my TV, and digital audio to my stereo system, from my computer workstation over on the other side of the room. That way I can play music and video off my PC onto my stereo and my TV, located on the opposite side of the room. Quite happy with monoprice, and their price is unbeatable.

I have a similar setup, it's awesome.

I have a 25' HDMI cable from my laptop to my receiver then another to my TV. My friend swears the super high priced, gold plated "Monster" cables deliver better sound and picture quality. As a test, I had my friend bring one of his "expensive" 6' cables over for a back to back test.

He and a few other friends came over to see if they could tell the difference. I put on a Blu-ray concert then went back and forth between my 25' el cheapo and his el supremo 6' gold plated cable so many times they had no idea which cable was which.

Verdict? Absolutely no difference whatsoever!

 

[SchlongConery]

Unfortunately this is not true. There are definite bandwidth considerations and cheaper cables are typically more bandwidth challenged. Whether this is just lousy construction, who knows

Unfortunately ^this^ is not true. But it sure sounds like it makes sense.

HDMI transmits a compressed digital signal. Think of fast morse code. It takes almost no electrical impulse to transmit that data and line loss and conductor size does not affect performance over short distances.

If your TV has a picture, and sound.... your Dollar Store HDMI cable is doing the job. Solid gold cables will do nothing more.

As for speaker cable it depends on the application (type of speaker and load). There are papers on this with a basis in electrical theory (versus voodoo), It need not be expensive, though nice copper is typically not cheap these days (and the cheap chinese stuff seems prone to oxidizing).

Speaker cable is different as it does transmit an analogue signal that has go carry measurable current and electrical loads. 18gAWG lamp wire will do for all but the most high powered home amps and speakers that you will play at 100 watts plus

 

[SkyRider]

I use DVI on one of my monitors.

Question: Do you think the picture quality on DVI is the same as HDMI?

 

[GameBoy27]

I use DVI on one of my monitors.

Question: Do you think the picture quality on DVI is the same as HDMI?

The only difference is that the HDMI cable can carry MUCH more information than the DVI cable (which only carries an image). You won't see a difference between the two.

 

[FAST]

A cables DC resistance is really not an issue with any com cables, as the current is insignificant.

BUT, inductance, impedance, and capacitance do effect performance, and that is what separates the low quality stuff from better stuff.

So I am agreeing with Garrett, there is more to the equation than resistance.

Gold plating, if it reduces deterioration of the contacts, then something to consider, otherwise, wasted money.

FAST

 

[Lady fisher]

Hdmi cables

Do higher priced HDMI cables such as "monster" or "rocketfish" offer better picture and sound quality compared to the lower priced cables? Or does it not really matter. Are they all made out of the same quality?

Some hdmi cables are buried in the wall and need to be rated for in wall use and I believe are. Fire rated and have more insulation on them
Cheaper hdmi cables have less tolerance to bending at joints and connectors

I personally have Auidio Quest Pearl in the wall and a few more cables ........these are quality cables

Like always quality has a price ........