[TECHNOKID]

57, there is no debate that it is a wise choice to choose a monoprice cable over a monster cable (subject of the study-test) as you get basically the same result at shorter distance. However, you will notice that my concern was the EXTREME, people claiming that Dollar Store cables were just as good... I read from post 1 till the end, I went and carefully looked at the results of his testing and nowhere is there any mention of Dollar Store cables! You, yourself strongly suggested to stay away from such cable.

The questions (which jvincent answered) were strickly for me to understand any logical reason why a cable could be cheaper when use with digital signal versus analog. As I honestly pointed out in some previous posts, I am from the old school and there is a lot for me to learn in this HD world.

 

[57]

The interesting thing is that I've never seen a test which shows that a $-store cable will not work just as well for many of the shorter applications, however, I've usually stated that the connectors are pretty poor and there is also little shielding on these cables, so I've usually recommended the step up from $-store, even for short lengths. Once you get into longer lengths, beyond say 6-10', then the $-store cable may not even pass the signal. I once had an inexpensive subwoofer cable (20' or so) that did work with one device, but would not pass the signal (I'm guessing there was less signal strength) from another device.

 

[TECHNOKID]

I am definitely with you on this! When you think about it, scrap copper is worth just as much as those $1 Store cable! During the Xmas holiday, I replaced one of those on my sister small cheap LCD; my brother in law was complaining how bad he felt buying this LCD, he said we are only using to show our pictures fromour trips and it looks awfull. I took him to FS (closest to his home) and bought the cheapest component cable they had in the store, you wouldn't beleive the changes! He wasn't cursing at the flat screen anymore! As we both agree, connections are very important! As you pointed out, cavles in the area of 20 - 30$ should be fine for coax cables. Even in the proffessional fields, rental, we do not always top dollar for cables, what is the sense but we definitely do not use $Store cables!

 

[4issquared]

Love this debate on cables, I have checked here every time I want to purchase something. I want to make sure I learn from everyone's experiences and spend my money wisely. I am wondering then, can I use a good quality coax video connector for my subwoofer? The one that came with my sub is quite thin, and I do have a few extra video cables laying around, yellow band and orange banded. Thanks in advance for your opinions/advice.

 

[4issquared]

just saw the other thread about sub cables. sorry for this and thanx anyway.

 

[techiejr]

What's wrong with dollar shop cables?

I use free to air satillite dish. TV got connected with coaxial cable.
As I moved my TV to different corner, I need an extension of the cable. I am thinking to buy one from dollar shop. I notice similar one from an electronic store costs around $20-30. I am confused, what's wrong with dollar shop cable?

Is there any difference between digital co-axial and regular coaxial cable? What is RG6 and RG59? What ohm is good? 75ohm is suffiecient? Whats the advantage of gold plated ends?

Also I would like to know about power cables. I am not looking for any insurance. And my TV has got two pin plug. 6 ft lenght is sufficient. So, again can I buy that from dollar shop. Similar one from electronic store costs $10

 

[eljay]

FAQ - Cables & Connections

If by "power cable" you mean extension cord, one from dollar store is as good as any other one as long as it is properly safety certified ("UL" or "CSA"). If "power cable" means something else, please clarify.

 

[Cyclism]

Perhaps you should re-read the FAQ on Cables and Connections, here:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76085

Or read the thread on whether to buy "luxury" cables:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30452

In short, you don't need to spend a lot of money on reasonable quality cables. But buying dollar store cables, depending on the application you want them for, will probably cause you more grief.

 

[techiejr]

Thanks for the info cyclism. Those links helped. For now I will try with dollar shop RF6 cable. Later I am going to change it with component cable. Given links did not talk about gold platted connectors. Assuming that gives better quality.

eljay, I am talking about extension cord only. As you suggested I will try with dollar shop one. Thanks..

 

[Cyclism]

Gold-plating is nothing but marketing hype and won't do anything to enhance signal transmission.

You do not need gold plated connectors.

Sure, they look nice but you are going to plug them in where they will not be seen. And while gold is more electrically conductive than other metals, the wires inside the dielectric are still copper. Does anyone really think that the signal is somehow going to go through 3-6 feet of copper and then be magically up-converted at the cable end by a bit of gold foil that is just thick enough to notice?

 

[Leaf Fan]

I would stay away from the dollar store cables, especially the ones with push on connectors
Remember, you usually get what you pay for when it is really cheap
Check your siganl before, and after the $ store cable is installed, and see the difference

 

[eljay]

Does anyone really think that the signal is somehow going to go through 3-6 feet of copper and then be magically up-converted at the cable end by a bit of gold foil that is just thick enough to notice?

Only if it's a Monster™-brand cable...

 

[Stargazer]

While I do not advocate expensive cables when generic cables will do, I'm not so sure how comfortable I would be buying electronics from "dollar" stores especially in light of potential counterfeits, poor quality control, and contaminants.

I have seen many news stories of lead-filled products, leaking batteries, fried wires, counterfeit UL labels, etc. from dollar stores. That's what I see is wrong with buying dollar store cables.

I recommend that you buy low-priced cables from reputable resellers. There are many online shops that offer a very good deal.

 

[Cyclism]

Oxygen free cable is also about fake prestige, not about superiour performance.

While it is true that copper with quite a lot of oxygen would make for poor wiring (thus no company would ever intentionally produce “enhanced oxygen wire”), removing the little bit of oxygen that will occur in nature does not actually improve electrical conductivity. For brevity, I will skip the physics lesson but even if you did have high oxygen content, it would not affect the electrical properties of copper sufficiently to make a noticeable difference.

 

[Jake]

Gold-plating is all about protecting the exposed ends of the cable from oxidation. In a typical home there is a very small risk of the resulting oxidation affecting the signal but that does not stop the marketing machine from selling them to you. Anytime you re-insert a cable connection it cleans the copper contacts. The sealed part of the wire is not affected by oxidation. If you have ever had to wiggle your car battery cables to get your car to start you understand.

 

[wuvhandles]

1: Do not buy a power bar from the dollar store. Often they are filled with inferior materials inside, and are more prone to "burning" i can' tthink of the term, but once i used one, and i didn't overload it, but it all of a sudden went *poof* and a couple shocks came out
Anyways, for $5 more, you can buy a decent one at walmart/superstore, or XS Cargo.

2: Do not buy coaxial cable from the dollar store, they transmit a very poor signal and it seems like they are the main cause for people having ghosting on thier tv. See if your local cable company will sell you some for cheap, or maybe even give you some for free. They generally use top notch products (from what i've read in other posts)

Don't worry about ohms, etc etc, just buy your products from a reputable source (but do'nt get sucked into buying high end monster products, etc).

 

[TECHNOKID]

Repeat again! One extreme to th other!

What's wrong with dollar shop cables? Normally those cheap cables are more likely aluminium shielding (return) versus good cable is copper (actually I do not mind spending a dollar and strip one to prove this!), The connectors are cheaply made and will break after a few installs <-> removals!
I notice similar one from an electronic store costs around $20-30 Wrong! If you read properly 57's comments and comments from other members, they highly recommend monoprice! Search for their site and you will be amazed at their prices... People tell you to stay away from Mon$$$ter priced cables! Monoprice is a good compromise from the Dollar Store crap and the overpriced cables from FS, BB just to name a few!. I am confused, what's wrong with dollar shop cable? Don't be confused, it is as simple as that, as previously mentioned: "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!"

Is there any difference between digital co-axial and regular coaxial cable? What is RG6 and RG59? RG59 and RG6 are both 75 homns coax the core of RG59 is slightly smaller, if the difference in price is insignificant, get the RG6 (59 was provided by some stores for analog signals, cable companies were using the better quality RG6, RG6 is now the norm!)What ohm is good? 75ohm is suffiecient? Whats the advantage of gold plated ends? Gold plated means better conductivity, doesn't mean you have to empty your wallet when you see GOLD! If I am correct, most of Monoprice cables are advertised as being gold plated and prices are MONO-MINI what ever you want!

Also I would like to know about power cables. I am not looking for any insurance. However, how much is your equipment worth? Is it worth spending a few dollars protecting it??? So, again can I buy that from dollar shop. Similar one from electronic store costs $10

Sure, you can buy your cables from where ever you want! Nobody stops you! JUST REMEMBER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!

The conclusion, I went through the entire thread-posts on luxury cables or not, NEVER was there any mention of $Store cables (except for the few people that went to the extreme)... The testing was only about Monoprice and comparable versus Mon$$ter priced cables! Please do not go from one EXTREME to the other EXTREME! 57 hurged people not to fall in the pit of Mon$$ter or other abusive priced cables, Relying on the tests performed, He also Highly recommended MONOPRICE and similars as an option to overpriced cables but NEVER EVER suggested people buy $STORE cables! Again, HOW MUCH IS YOUR EQUIPMENT WORTH? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SIGNALS??? 57 pointed out that 20 - 30$ cables are fair price however, many people prefer to buy less expensive from monoprice but if you look at their comments, they all are happy and recommend them. Have you seen such thread for $STORE cables??

Cheers!
René

 

[x2000]

People, don't spend anymore than 30-35 bucks on an HDMI cable, if that. But don't skimp on your surge protector. Digital is digital but surge spikes are another story. I sell this stuff for a living (to the retailers) and I know that expensive cables are Bullshiz.

 

[REFLEX]

They always try to con you into getting an expensive cable at stores such as Futureshop or Best Buy, telling the guy there once that at such short distances its not going to matter at all for the most part, he then told me it wasn't true and that I need the fastest and highest quality cable to get the best results, even at 10'. The price tag was about 120 dollars for 10'. I laughed.

But what I'm going to say connects to that, I get a subscription (got 1 year for free) to Widescreen Review, for the most part its a great magazine with great technical information and reviews on amazing products. But they must be sponsored by Monsterprice (hehe) because a few months back they had this huge article and interview with one of the top guys and Monstercable. They were really seeming to spin certain things... or something, hard to put my finger on it really, but I didn't like it.

I've been using Monoprice HDMI cables for a good while, and I needed some 10' ones, a friend needed some too so I got a great deal on some 1.3a 10' 24awg cables..... very nice cables indeed. I used to have a few 3ft and 6ft 22AWG Monoprice ones, felt very good in my hands, but what does that matter?

Anyway, this is a huge market here for stores like Best Buy and Futureshop, the ignorance in those places is thick enough to cut with a knife. But its mostly not on purpose, they are just told to say this stuff to sell things and they don't care either way.

But I'm sure thats nothing new to anyone here.



At what distances do more expensive cables beat out something like a 24awg cable from Monoprice? You hear all sorts of conflicting reports and "tests".

 

[jvincent]

At what distances do more expensive cables beat out something like a 24awg cable from Monoprice? You hear all sorts of conflicting reports and "tests".

Don't confuse expensive with quality. Bigger guage (lower number) wires will almost always be better at long distances than smaller ones.

That's still not a guarantee though. For long distances the HDMI transmitter still needs to be able to send the correct levels, not all do, and the receiver needs to be sensitive enough to properly decode them, and not all are.