Question about HDMI cables

ryanjoachim
ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
edited March 2008 in Electronics
I recently (yesterday) bought myself a 65" Mitsubishi WD-65733, the Samsung p1400 Blu-ray dvd player (well, pre-ordered it, but w/e).

Here's my question:
I bought 2 of these HDMI cables:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8473546&productCategoryId=abcat0107020&type=product&tab=1&id=1188558642139#productdetail

What I'm curious of is this...which (if any) cables on monoprice.com are comparable to those? I need to have all the 1.3a options (120hz, DeepColor, etc). The bandwidth of the Monster Cables say 10.6gb, but the bandwidth on monoprice cables say a certain mhz...

Does monoprice have any HDMI cables that have the same options as the Monster cables?
MrNightly wrote: »
"Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
mystik610 wrote: »
Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
My System:


TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
Post edited by ryanjoachim on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    Did you go to Monoprice's page and look?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    I went to their HDMI cable page, but none of the specs I saw matched up with what the Monster cables list...or am I blind?
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    Click on the cables. It will tell you which are deep color, etc...

    Right off the front page: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3952&seq=1&format=2
    The latest revision for HDMI doubles the bandwidth of the original and has opened the door for a host of potential new advancements in Home Theater Audio/Video performance. New features such a “Deep Color,” higher color gamut, and high resolution, multi-channel audio formats like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio will make higher bandwidth demands than ever before. Equipment manufacturers are bringing out new devices to take advantage of these new features.

    Be ready for what the future has in store with our Monoprice HDMI 1.3a cables. These cables have been designed to meet the high bandwidth performance standards set by HDMI 1.3a. Monoprice cables are constructed to the highest quality with full triple layer shielding from end to end, strong, solid wire welds and the highest quality materials including high purity copper, gold plated connectors and tin plated conduits.

    Monoprice offers premium cables without the premium price. Spend your money getting better equipment. Cables shouldn’t cost more than the equipment you’re connecting.

    CONFUSED??? Try clicking the KNOWLEDGE BASE tab above for answers to some frequently asked questions regarding these cables.

    Starting at $3.72 each. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,231
    edited February 2008
    option 1- buy the on in the FM
    option 2- Signal cable
    option 3- Buy my AQ hdmi cable and I will buy Signal..

    I know people say yeah they are just cables behind everything, so who cares what they look like. I think cables are like underwear, I know they look nice even if no one will really see them. cept my wife ;)
    they make my system more sexy !:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    I am too a cable believer. I've spent more on cables than some spend on their whole rigs. But as far as video cables, it's monoprice for me.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2008
    The monoprice HDMI cables look good also. The ones I got have black techflex jackets.

    Edit: I paid a couple extra bucks for the 24awg instead of the 28awg linked above.
    Never Forget
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    so...wtf is up with Monsters being $130 for 4' and mono being $4 for 6'?
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    So I wouldn't be losing any quality going from monster to monoprice
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited February 2008
    I purchased two 25 Ft., $40 HDMI cables from Newegg and they work great at 1080p.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited February 2008
    I've exclusively bought from monoprice for the last year or two on all types of cables and am impressed with the value and quality. i admittedly have not done a shoot-out with the more expensive cables due to budget constraints so take it for what it's worth.

    Shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,231
    edited February 2008
    ryanjoachim wrote: »
    So I wouldn't be losing any quality going from monster to monoprice


    nope, order the new cables from where ever then return the Monsters.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited February 2008
    ryanjoachim wrote: »
    so...wtf is up with Monsters being $130 for 4' and mono being $4 for 6'?

    Because they can be. I remember selling upconverting dvd players that didn't come with the cable, I would make $10 adding on the $100 cable to a $250 dvd player. Most of the population only knows about monster, they think the only choice is which level of Monster to buy at.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,231
    edited February 2008
    not just that it's also they want the cable right away and not have to wait, so they will pay the extra 100$ for a cable, just so they don't have to wait..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    Thanks a lot for all the information guys. I'm definately going to be returning the cables and buying the ones from monoprice.

    I think saving $250 on those cables will make me a happy boy.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,231
    edited February 2008
    ryanjoachim wrote: »
    I think saving $250 on those cables will make me a happy boy.
    isn't that just disgusting !!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    One thing about the monsters is their lifetime warranty.

    They say that if their cable ever falls behind the tech world and needs to be upgraded, they will upgrade it for free.

    Although with the price mono has I don't see that as being much of an issue, do you?
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited February 2008
    ryanjoachim wrote: »
    One thing about the monsters is their lifetime warranty.

    They say that if their cable ever falls behind the tech world and needs to be upgraded, they will upgrade it for free.

    Although with the price mono has I don't see that as being much of an issue, do you?

    Yeah good luck with that. Think about it, just shipping is going to be $5...the price of a monoprice cable. Not to mention they will probably require a receipt to make sure you bought it from a authorized dealer. I don't know about you but I sure don't keep receipts for cables. Then there is the fact that you would have to convince them that it needed to be upgraded.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    You make some very good points...

    DAMN YOU BEST BUY!
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkseller
    polkseller Posts: 184
    edited February 2008
    Monster cable are the best, period. They invented the HDMI working with many manifacturers 6 years ago.

    Last year issue of Whats hifi tested many different HDMI cable starting at 20$ to 300$, guess what ? Monster HDMI 400 @ 80$ finished first and earned the 5 star rating and also the audioquest HDMI 3 at 300$ for 1 meter !

    Monster cable are not overrated like some says over the internet. They offer high quality cable and all life warranty. All other cable in the test including the 20$ cable had under 3 stars rating on over 15 differents HDMI test.

    I own myself 3 different HDMI cable and I can honestly share my testing with you all friends polk members that the HDMI 400 is the king, sure you can get the HDMI 1000 ultra, but for many of you, the picture quality of this 400 cable is hard to beat. If you have less than 1 meter to go, any HDMI cable will work and give a decent picture, but keep in mind the HDMI protocol doesnt have a error correction , so every bit of noise can enter the cable and degrade picture quality.

    I have high quality equipment at home ( monster power conditionner, Ultra component, HD dvd Xa2, sony blu-ray and a samsung plasma Tv and I see minus details if I get it)

    I always disable any noise reducer in the Tv and dvd player so I know when I get the perfect noise free picture. I'm 7 feet away from my 42 inch plasma.

    Sure if you are at 12 feet, you might not see any difference at all, but like audio gear, every quality component add to the sound.

    The monster HDMI connector is solidly constructed from 1 piece, heavily shielded and made one by onem size by size to ensure proper twisting of the 19 wires inside.

    dont waste your money on cheap cable, sometime the end connector breaks easily or you get sych loss so you must restart every component to get the picture again.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited February 2008
    ...and people thought furball was a shill.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited February 2008
    I don't have the "high-end" gear that some people do, just upper-mid...so I think saving $250 on cables with non-branded cables won't be a bad idea.

    Just a personal thing.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,535
    edited February 2008
    I'll throw in another chime for the excellent quality of the monoprice "1.3a Category 2 certified" cables. I've now picked up 3 of the 24GA variety of these. They are very nicely constructed, thick cables with an nice braided nylon outer sheath. They have absolutely no issues working with 1080p and with bitstreamed lossless audio (DTS HD Master or lossless PCM). They are certified to handle everything the 1.3a spec can throw at them.

    Some feel the 24AWG version is too thick and stiff. They are quiet stiff, but they can be bent and hold the bend pretty well, so unless you have tight space behind your tv and avr, (less than 4"), I'd go with the thicker version. Otherwise, get the 28AWG version. Its much more flexible. It doesn't have the nylon jacket., but it does have inline ferrites to help filter out stray RF.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited February 2008
    ryanjoachim wrote: »
    I don't have the "high-end" gear that some people do, just upper-mid...so I think saving $250 on cables with non-branded cables won't be a bad idea.

    Just a personal thing.

    I just don't see a difference between these "premium" Monster HDMI cables and the cheaper alternatives. I have tried the Monster 400, signal, and some cheap CC brand, and guess what? There was no difference. I still use the cheap CC and the signal, and returned the Monster. I can't see paying $80 for the Monster when the $25 CC cable does the same thing....Interconnects and speaker cables are a completely different ball game, but i have yet to see a difference on my setup with an HDMI cable...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • J_Kennedy
    J_Kennedy Posts: 138
    edited February 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    I'll throw in another chime for the excellent quality of the monoprice "1.3a Category 2 certified" cables. I've now picked up 3 of the 24GA variety of these. They are very nicely constructed, thick cables with an nice braided nylon outer sheath. They have absolutely no issues working with 1080p and with bitstreamed lossless audio (DTS HD Master or lossless PCM). They are certified to handle everything the 1.3a spec can throw at them.

    Some feel the 24AWG version is too thick and stiff. They are quiet stiff, but they can be bent and hold the bend pretty well, so unless you have tight space behind your tv and avr, (less than 4"), I'd go with the thicker version. Otherwise, get the 28AWG version. Its much more flexible. It doesn't have the nylon jacket., but it does have inline ferrites to help filter out stray RF.

    I just walked in from the mail box with another one I ordered from monoprice.com. Besides great prices on good stuff, I ordered this Friday night just before midnight. Order confirmation showed it shipping today, 2/11. It was put in my mail box today, 2/11. They must have shipped it Saturday, but the from there of course, it's all USPS.

    They're unbelievably quick on new orders and any issues. I'm really glad I found out about them. ;)
    - Onkyo TX-SR805
    - Polk RTi8's Main L/R's
    - Polk CSi A6 Center
    - Polk FXi3 Surrounds/Rear Surrounds
    - HSU VFT-2 MK3
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkseller
    polkseller Posts: 184
    edited February 2008
    Like I said, some cheaper HDMI cable will do just fine, but you'll never ever get the same exact picture as the Monster.

    I can garanteed depending of the size of the tv and distance to your tv. Try them on the pioneer 6010 and on all cheap hdmi, you can see clearly some short of rotating pixelisation for every 4 to 6 pixel groups when 2-3 feet away. That leans to a blurrier and less lifelike picture at 8 feet or so.

    Sure monoprice 24awg HDMI sounds good, and many uses them without problems. Wire gauge is not the most important part on a hdmi cable. The connector, shielding and careful twisting/inductance/impedance/frequency of the wires is critical.

    But I advise you that many HDMI on the market are really cheap and low quality ( dynex, rocketfish,valuebrand, costco phillips HDMI etc..) dont buy these !! they are bad

    Monster has worked with many manifacturer and cable service providers. Videotron in Quebec for example had lots of problems and hundreds of phone calls concerning HDMI cable daily. They now recommend monster cable HDMI as an effective «problem free solution».
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited February 2008
    I bought this one:

    AMC 25 ft. 24awg Premium Gold Series 1080p rated HDMI Cable Supports Sony PS3 Model HDMI-HDMI25 - OEM $34.99 at Newegg.com

    It works flawlessly and is well constructed. Also out-of-stock. HIGHLY RECOMMEND AMC HDMI CABLES!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkseller
    polkseller Posts: 184
    edited February 2008
    sure it work, like many other HDMI cable..but how does it perform ?

    Colors, brightness, picture noise and digital sound differ from one HDMI to another.. Audio synch and level you might loose quality.

    Read the revies on the monster website, this is true highter quality cable gives you better sound

    http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3847
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited February 2008
    polkseller wrote: »
    sure it work, like many other HDMI cable..but how does it perform ?

    Colors, brightness, picture noise and digital sound differ from one HDMI to another.. Audio synch and level you might loose quality.

    Read the revies on the monster website, this is true highter quality cable gives you better sound

    http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3847

    Dude, I get it. YOU LIKE MONSTER. Stop pushing it and move on.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Finiti
    Finiti Posts: 10
    edited February 2008
    Bill Ayotte wrote: »
    Dude, I get it. YOU LIKE MONSTER. Stop pushing it and move on.

    LOL...he should change his name to monsterseller.
    Panasonic TH-50PZ700 - Panasonic DMP-BD30 - Denon AVR-3808CI - Polk RTi10 - Polk FXi A4 - Polk CSi A4 - Polk PSW303
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited March 2008
    Now it's Polkseller....

    BTW!!! Thank you whoever it was that pointed me to Monoprice for those HDMI cables!

    Great quality, the ability to color-code my cables (I have 4 HDMI devices, so color-coding is a life-saver!), and saving $240 from returning the Monster cables.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter