HDMI Cables - What is considered "good"? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Positive Climb · 2011-09-07, 06:35 PM

I'm looking at buying HD cables as I now have a PS3. I saw some Philips cables at Wal Mart for $20. Also saw some $40 Monster cables. What is the main difference? Will I notice anything huge? I watched a CBC documentary a few years back and they said there is no difference.

Can somebody please explain.

Thank you

Cockroach · 2011-09-07, 06:39 PM

No difference for the most part. Just hype and marketing. Some of us are using cables that didn't even cost $5.

jayoldschool · 2011-09-07, 06:57 PM

With distances under about 25', they either work or they don't. The signal is digital. Paying more money for a "monster" just gives you something to brag to your buddies about... unless they acutally know about home theatre (then they will just feel sorry for you). I agree with croach, my cables are all under 5 bucks (except my 35' run in my theatre).

eljay · 2011-09-07, 06:59 PM

I've bought lots of "coaxial" (RCA-to-RCA) and HDMI cables from Monoprice(.com) and never had a problem with any of them. They're good quality, inexpensive and they ship fairly quickly.

jlet · 2011-09-07, 09:14 PM

Also see this Sticky: "Do I Need Luxury Cables?" http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30452

Costa · 2011-09-07, 09:41 PM

I do not reccomend 'Monster' and any of the expensive brands. Their cables are so thick that they put strain and may damage your components. Their lifetime warranties dont cover your equipment.

I've seen HDMI cables at Dollarama, not sure how long they'd last but the too thin gauge wires may break much easier and shielding/jackets may not be enough to protect the lines from interference.

I can confirm that Monoprice carries are excellent set of cables for the price. For 25ft+, I would suggest 26 awg or better, 30 awg is fine for 6-12 ft. Ferrite cores help with interence, but arent required.

Barry N · 2011-09-07, 09:54 PM

Bought the cheapest set of 4 HDMI cables for $20.00 @ Costco. They work perfectly.

prestonck · 2011-09-09, 03:10 AM

I always thought digital is digital as in image or no image, judging from my experience there is no to little difference in picture quality between a high cost HDMI cable and a low cost HDMI cable, if anything the quality differs in the materials and or durability.

Positive Climb · 2011-09-09, 04:51 PM

Thanks guys. I ended up getting an 8ft ONI electronics cable. Works perfectly. Cost me under $20.

DPyro · 2011-09-17, 10:21 PM

Just don't buy the ones from Wallmart. I had to return them and ended up ordering from monoprice anyway. I've heard Amazon has some cheap cables too.

snorlax · 2011-09-17, 10:37 PM

Used a $4 cable from a dollar store to replace a Microsoft branded HDMI cable that came with my XBox 360 Elite. The Microsoft cable was loose in the socket of my upconverting DVD recorder and the picture would come and go. The $4 cable fits tight and works great. Moral: price does not equal quality in HDMI at least.

hugh · 2011-09-20, 10:06 AM

Closing. Pls see link referred to in post #5 for further discussion.

2011-09-07, 06:35 PM	#1
Positive Climb Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	HDMI Cables - What is considered "good"? I'm looking at buying HD cables as I now have a PS3. I saw some Philips cables at Wal Mart for $20. Also saw some $40 Monster cables. What is the main difference? Will I notice anything huge? I watched a CBC documentary a few years back and they said there is no difference. Can somebody please explain. Thank you

2011-09-07, 06:59 PM	#4
eljay Premium Supporter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ottawa (Orleans), ON Posts: 8,345	I've bought lots of "coaxial" (RCA-to-RCA) and HDMI cables from Monoprice(.com) and never had a problem with any of them. They're good quality, inexpensive and they ship fairly quickly. __________________ MY HT SET-UP (PICS & GEAR LIST)

2011-09-07, 09:41 PM	#6
Costa Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 520	I do not reccomend 'Monster' and any of the expensive brands. Their cables are so thick that they put strain and may damage your components. Their lifetime warranties dont cover your equipment. I've seen HDMI cables at Dollarama, not sure how long they'd last but the too thin gauge wires may break much easier and shielding/jackets may not be enough to protect the lines from interference. I can confirm that Monoprice carries are excellent set of cables for the price. For 25ft+, I would suggest 26 awg or better, 30 awg is fine for 6-12 ft. Ferrite cores help with interence, but arent required. __________________ Everything

2011-09-07, 09:54 PM	#7
Barry N Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Edmonton Posts: 143	Bought the cheapest set of 4 HDMI cables for $20.00 @ Costco. They work perfectly. __________________ I've learned a lot from my mistakes. I'm thinking of making some more.

2011-09-17, 10:37 PM	#11
snorlax Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Thornhill, Ontario Posts: 391	Used a $4 cable from a dollar store to replace a Microsoft branded HDMI cable that came with my XBox 360 Elite. The Microsoft cable was loose in the socket of my upconverting DVD recorder and the picture would come and go. The $4 cable fits tight and works great. Moral: price does not equal quality in HDMI at least. __________________ Rogers Employee. My posts should not be considered as coming from an authorized corporate source.

2011-09-07, 06:39 PM	#2
Cockroach Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 580	No difference for the most part. Just hype and marketing. Some of us are using cables that didn't even cost $5.

2011-09-07, 06:57 PM	#3
jayoldschool Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,746	With distances under about 25', they either work or they don't. The signal is digital. Paying more money for a "monster" just gives you something to brag to your buddies about... unless they acutally know about home theatre (then they will just feel sorry for you). I agree with croach, my cables are all under 5 bucks (except my 35' run in my theatre).

2011-09-07, 09:14 PM	#5
jlet Veteran Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Rogers Cable Posts: 1,733	Also see this Sticky: "Do I Need Luxury Cables?" http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30452 __________________ SA8300HD; Panasonic TH-50PZ850; Sony STR-DA5ES; Tannoy: Arden, S8C, S8LR; SVS 16-46PC+; Oppo 971; Harmony 659/680

2011-09-09, 03:10 AM	#8
prestonck Rookie Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 5	I always thought digital is digital as in image or no image, judging from my experience there is no to little difference in picture quality between a high cost HDMI cable and a low cost HDMI cable, if anything the quality differs in the materials and or durability.

2011-09-09, 04:51 PM	#9
Positive Climb Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 55	Thanks guys. I ended up getting an 8ft ONI electronics cable. Works perfectly. Cost me under $20.

2011-09-17, 10:21 PM	#10
DPyro Rookie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 26	Just don't buy the ones from Wallmart. I had to return them and ended up ordering from monoprice anyway. I've heard Amazon has some cheap cables too.

2011-09-20, 10:06 AM	#12
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Closing. Pls see link referred to in post #5 for further discussion. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

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