HDMI cables

dfledezma

Ok I know cables have been long discussed, but...

Right know I´m using cheap steren HDMI cables from my PS3 and Mac to a denon AVR790 and then a panasonic plasma. Will I get any improvement If I get some better cables. I was tempted by some low end audioquest.

What do you think?

thanks

cstmar01

eh with HDMI you will probably not notice a difference as its just a digital signal of 1s and 0's. I would say no need but some people feel it does make a difference.

polkatese

Agreed with Chris on HDMI cable. I think as long as the cable is certified to carry 1.3x, you're golden.

kuntasensei

There are situations where a thicker shielded cable can help with long runs, but with short runs, if the data is getting there, that's about as good as it gets.

cheddar

These hdmi cable threads usually end up with recommendations for monoprice cable. Just a proactive FYI, it appears that the site is offline while they audit the site for possible credit card misuse.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4269

Sherardp

Monoprice or Bluejeans, I personally use Bluejeans in the HT.

kuntasensei

Yeah, monoprice cables are killer. I was afraid I was going to run into HDMI issues because my run from my AVR to my projector in the walls is about 35 feet. I thought I'd need to put a booster in-line to get a clean connection at that length, but it ended up working perfectly without it.

cheddar

Yep, I've got about 20 feet of monoprice in my walls. Works great even with the extra lengths going from the wall to the components. I did have a problem with putting some DVI to HDMI adapters in one chain. Guess the weakened signal just couldn't get beyond the adapters. I bought some specialized cables with the adapters built in and that seemed to clear the problem.

cheddar

Just checked the site though, and they've still got the scary message up about investigating credit card misuse. I'd wait a little bit until they clear up whatever problem they have...

cheddar

Here's a forum thread on the monoprice problems:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98133

comfortablycurt

Ehh...HDMI cables are overrated. I get much better video from my F-pin coaxial cable.:p Now THAT'S HIGH DEF!!!:p;)



In my experience, there is very little to no difference between HDMI cables. Unless you have to make an excessively long run, it's not really worth it to drop big coin on HDMI cables. The Monoprice HDMI cables will give you every bit of the performance that the higher end HDMI cables will.

HDMI cables send a digital signal...so it's just 1's and 0's. Swapping/upgrading cables is going to have a much greater effect on an analog signal(such as in a 2 channel rig) than it will on a digital signal.

wutadumsn23

LOL, Curt. I have 3 HDMI cables in my HT all under 8 ft and ranged in price from $75 to free. I have done extensive testing and to my untrained eye there was no difference between the 3. 1.3 and you are good to go.

-Jeff

jinjuku

No, you will not see a difference from any certified to spec cable.

jinjuku

Parts Express is now very competitive on their HDMI cables. I have a 33 foot that is fully certified and it was $36 shipped. Thing is a beast and in-wall rated.

heiney9

Media Bridge HDMI cables are really well built and very reasonable. You can get them at Amazon. I use these and so does my brother they are impressive for the $$$. Build is off the charts and performance is excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Ultra-Version-Category-Certified/dp/B0019EHU8G

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Ultra-High-Speed-Cable/dp/B001MZXUI6

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Ultra-Version-Category-Certified/dp/B0019HL8Q8

http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Ultra-15ft-Speed-Cable/dp/B001A5PDKQ

H9

dfledezma

thanks everyone. I´ll keep the HDMI cables, no long runs for now. Instead I´ll use the money for a dedicated DVDA-CD-SACD player and audioquest interconnects. I´ll also change the cables in my fronts and center. I´m using cheap 16g rocketfish which I´ll swap for audioquest 14g. I know my system is by no means high end, but I´ll see if I get any difference with the new cables

Upstatemax

I just replaced the HDMI cables in my house for my two HDTV's and I noticed a huge difference between them...

Not in picture quality... But the flat ones are great for a TV that's hung on the wall!

As others have said, it's a digital signal, either it's there or it's not.

BTW, I have always used Monoprice HDMI cables and they have yet to let me down. :cool:

digitalvideo

I would use Bluejeans Belden HDMI cables if I were you. They use Belden's bonded-pair design with out performs standard twisted design that cheaper cables use. Plus Belden is CM rated which is higher than the typical CL rated HDMI cables especially for in-wall use. Belden is an industry cable that broadcast networks use.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/why-broadcast-quality.htm

http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-26-1999/0001059587&EDATE=

http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/303182/orders_aplenty_belden_broadcast_cables/

http://www.belden.com/

cheddar

dfledezma wrote: »

I´ll use the money for a dedicated DVDA-CD-SACD player and audioquest interconnects. I´ll also change the cables in my fronts and center. I´m using cheap 16g rocketfish which I´ll swap for audioquest 14g. I know my system is by no means high end, but I´ll see if I get any difference with the new cables

Much better places to look at in upgrading your system. If your hdmi cables are already working for you, don't spend any more time thinking about them. Go for the audio as a much better bang for the buck!

gdb

I got a couple of these from Amazon plus a CD or two to bring the total up to $25.00 to get free shipping. Swapped out an $80.00 cable for one of these and saw zero difference! They even have uber cool ferrite doohickeys which the $80 model (which was returned) didn't.;)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011TM19C/ref=oss_product

digitalvideo

gdb wrote: »

I got a couple of these from Amazon plus a CD or two to bring the total up to $25.00 to get free shipping. Swapped out an $80.00 cable for one of these and saw zero difference! They even have uber cool ferrite doohickeys which the $80 model (which was returned) didn't.;)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011TM19C/ref=oss_product

Those look nice but who makes them? I typed into Google "Fanatic Digital cable" and nothing came up. I like to know where I buy my products and where the company is based and if the company will stand behind them and show the specs, do they have a warranty etc?

gdb

Jeez, what d'ya want for a lousy six bucks? I was just going to give them to my neighbor if they turned out to be bogus.:) I do recall a warranty sheet in the package but, the postage both ways.......

gdb

Guess I was wrong about shipping.:o


Here's what's on the Amazon page:



Product Description
Brand Name Fanatic Digital. Registered Trademark under US trademark law. HIGH SPEED HDMI Cable. Ferrite Cores.Fanatic Digital cables are the only HDMI Cables you will ever need! We are so confident in the performance and quality of our HDMI cables, we are offering a 100% money back guarantee. If you feel our cables don't live up to your expectations, simply contact us and we will refund 100% of your purchase price. We Will Even Pay Your Return Shipping! For any other questions, and special or wholesale orders, please email us at sales@fanaticdigital.com. -Connect all your A/V equipment with one cable -24k gold-plated connectors ensure maximum conductivity -Compatible with resolutions 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p -Compatibility is guaranteed with all HDMI devices and brands -Cable length: 6 Feet -Gold plated connectors ensure solid connection -Lifetime Warranty

disneyjoe7

+1 on BlueJean HDMI cables, I use them and recommend highly.

WilliamM2

Another option while Monoprice sorts out their issues, is Dayton from parts express. I have a couple, build seems the same as mono's.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=181-772

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=181-774

treitz3

Where the hell is Roger Russel now?

digitalvideo

Wire World cable, $1000 bucks for 1 meter.

http://www.wireworldcable.com/news/news_1_pei.html

potee

I use monoprice HDMI cables because I saw that cnet also uses them on their test systems. CNET also said that most of the folks that work there also use them

mantis

When HDMI cables first came out , as usual all the higher end wire companies started making really nice HDMI cables. Gold this and Silver that , nice outer jackets ,etc.
HDMI cables in general as said over and over now just need to pass spec. Once this is done there is nothing you can do to the cable to improve anything. As long as the full signal can travel the distance or length of the cable without losing anything , there is nothing more you can do.
Audioquest entry level cables are excellent built quality and pass spec. As all others are. Built quality termination are important if you change out your gear as much as I do , then you might want a better cable or just buy a few more cheaper ones. I use all Binary B5 level cables in my system and find them to be great. I had all Audioquest cables but when I changed my gear around I needed different lengths. There is no audio or video difference of any kind between my very nice Audioquest cables and my still pretty nice Binary B5 cables. All my lengths are under 3m.

disneyjoe7

Dan,

That's like comparing a Chevette to a Corvette because they go from point "A" to point "B".

tboo72

Monoprice, FTW