Does the brand of HDMI cords really matter?

Question

I was at the store today looking to buy a HDMI cord to hook up my Playstation 3. There was a Monster Cable cord for $119 and another HDMI cord from another brand for $49. Both were the same length. Does it really matter enough to spend more than double on a cord?

Answer 1

HDMI is digital, and at a length 3-15ft any cable is suitable. Don't waste your money. You will see absolutely no visual difference in that $119 cable over a $5 one. And don't let anyone tell u otherwise.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024009&p_id=2412&seq=1&format=2

Answer 2

Truthfully, the only time an HDMI cable is superior than another is when long length is involved.
When an HDMI cable is required for routing through walls on a custom home.
example: +100' Gemini cable + HDMI

The latter is when a high quality, expensive cable will be more efficient for longevity since the sheath of the cable along with shield is more durable.
Furthermore, the latter would also include the end connectors.

The typical HDMI cable that is exterior routed to the device will show absolutely no difference.
Common size cable lengths of 6', 12', 15 & 30 are all the same in digital video quality.
Sadly, far too many people fall victim to the false propaganda that one cable is better than another (short length).

Answer 3

So much great information.

Good HDMI cables can be had from BlueJeans or MonoPrice. I use the thinner MonoPrice cables to link everything to my HDMI switch, then a $38 BlueJeans cable for the long run to the TV.

Note: Monster is trying to scare people into buying "fast" HDMI cables for $100 each and it's mainly marketing.

But the store will make about $50 profit on that $110 cable - so you will get pressure from most salesman to buy.

Answer 4

if you are just hooking up a digital cable box thats hd the cable won't matter. the difference comes in when you buy a blueray player or hd dvd which will feed your screen with a 120hz picture. and the only cable that im aware of doing that is the monster 1000 series for about 130$ and they come with a lifetime warrenty. but other then that go with something for like 5$ ... monoprice.com for cheap good cables.

some cables are made cheap though, i had a few costumers complain about some cables where the tip would come and clip off

Answer 5

Unless you need to run extremely long (>50ft) cables, you'll see no difference between the expensive cables or a cheaper one - except on your receipt.

Monster is VERY overpriced. I paid $15 for a no-name brand 6' HDMI cable. It works just fine.