I've been looking around at HDMI cables and there are many to chose from. I can spend between $15 and $100 per cable. What's the difference in these cables? Will I get a higher quality picture from a more expensive cable? Here is one site I was looking at http://www.myincipio.com/category/5_hdmi_cables/
2007-12-01 13:35:31 · 5 answers · asked by corbin_rox 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Home Theater
Many people believe that the more expensive cables are better just because they cost more. Not true... It's a digital signal going through that cable so it's either going to be perfect or really bad. The cheap cables work just as good as the expensive ones.
That really only applies to the regular length cables 6-10'.
When you start getting into the longer cable lengths then the more expensive one may have better shielding and be a little better.
I'd put a $20 cable next to a $100 cable and I bet you couldn't tell the difference in the picture they produce.
Save your money on BluRay or HD-DVD movies!
2007-12-01 13:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by siriusdoggy 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
HDMI cables are NOT all the same -- it's a matter of bandwidth capability -- but for most applications an inexpensive cable will work just as well as an expensive one. That a digital cable works or doesn't work is -- unfortunately -- a fallacy.
See the article at the 1st link .. it is to a comparison of a monoprice.com (~$10) HDMI cable and Monster ($100+) cable. At short distances and up to 1080p resolution the monoprice (Link 2) did fine. At longer distances and at 1440 ("next generation") resolution there was an advantage to the Monster. That said, you still don't NEED Monster. Bluejean Cables make as good or better HDMI cables (Link 3) that cost a fraction the cost of Monster.
One (of many (see Link 4)) problem with the HDMI specification is the connector. It is very small and not anchored in place, so heavy weight, stiff HDMI cables can either pull loose, must be given lots of room because they don't bend easily, or -- worst case -- can actually break circuit boards.
In general, use lighter weight, more flexible cables for short connections. For longer or in-wall connections use heavy weight, Category 2 cables certified for in wall construction (more future proof), and if you want to go more than 25'-30' make sure the cable is certified for the distance and resolution (not just that cable type, but that length).
The best cables are Certified Category 2 and rated for HDMI version 1.3 (highest bandwidth) ... and they don't have to cost $Hundreds.
2007-12-02 02:15:50 · answer #2 · answered by agb90spruce 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Probably going to get booed here but I've seen the tests. There is a difference in the cables. Now I'm not saying that expensive cables mean that they are better but some expensive cables are better quality. There are some expensive HDMI cables who's speed ratings are insufficient for 1080P. Speed rating cables is something new and I'm not convinced it's always important. If you have a Visio, Westinghouse, Insignia or some other entry level TV, or if the TV is 32" or smaller then I wouldn't worry about it. If you have a Mitsubishi, Toshiba Cinema Series, Sony XBR, Pioneer Plasma or some other higher end TV, or if you are connecting to one of the newer receivers or plan to and want to get Dolby Digital HD or dtsHD (remember you will need greater bandwidth for these newer surround formats) don't even think twice. Get at least the Monster Cable High Speed or something else rated greater than 4.95 Gbps.
2007-12-01 21:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by Theaterhelp 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
unless you dealing with a very long cable segment or an "in the wall" installation, than the high priced cables are nothing but a ripoff. even 40 bucks is a ripoff, quite frankly. i got three gold plated, 6 foot HDMI cables from ebay for 20 dollars, including shipping. HDMI broadcast is digital, which means that the signal is either 1 or 0 (it either works or does not). therefore, it is not susceptible to the same type of interference problems that plague analog cables.
2016-05-27 04:28:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All HDMI cables do the same job. I would buy the ones that have the best connectors on the end of the wire so they make a good tight fit. The quality of the signal passing through the HDMI video cable depends more on the characteristics of the Source device and the display rather than the cable itself.
2007-12-01 14:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
www.monoprice.com - great price, great cables. I use them in my hi-end system.
2007-12-01 16:22:55 · answer #6 · answered by AM 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋