Do I Need Luxury Cables?
201 - 220 of 372 Posts
Hmm they don't have anything for 10' cables on there.. only like 6ft and then like 32ft or so.
I gather than from those tests that a 10' 24AWG monoprice cable is probably going to do just fine. I was looking at Bluejeans cables and their best HDMI cable for 10' is like 32 dollars or something .. here:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm
Their top of the line ones......
I gather than from those tests that a 10' 24AWG monoprice cable is probably going to do just fine. I was looking at Bluejeans cables and their best HDMI cable for 10' is like 32 dollars or something .. here:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm
Their top of the line ones......
Joined
·
6,296 Posts
Monoprice has 10' cables in the 'HDMI 1.3a' cable section. The other categories appear to be sold out in 6' and 10' lengths.
Regular brand HDMI cables are good enough
Monster HDMI cables, par the specs do have a fulfilled quality, the issue is if the prices measured up to the quality-value ratio offered. So some regular brands like RCA, Philips they are good enough. HDMI is HDMI, the cables have to fulfill the profile and specs from HDMI.org. There are also the real cheap HDMI cables with good quality reflected from the experiences of the users. Just right above there are two sticky threads: "Non-luxury cables" and "Non Monster HDMI cables". Check the spec up to HDMI 1.3, depending on the HT system requirement you are using.
Monster HDMI cables, par the specs do have a fulfilled quality, the issue is if the prices measured up to the quality-value ratio offered. So some regular brands like RCA, Philips they are good enough. HDMI is HDMI, the cables have to fulfill the profile and specs from HDMI.org. There are also the real cheap HDMI cables with good quality reflected from the experiences of the users. Just right above there are two sticky threads: "Non-luxury cables" and "Non Monster HDMI cables". Check the spec up to HDMI 1.3, depending on the HT system requirement you are using.
I'd liked to know what the "fulfilled qualilty" and the "quality value ratio" of the Mon$ter cables are? Please elaborate?
The only quality difference I can see between the Mon$ter cables and the computer store cables is in packaging.
For normal 6ft-15ft runs the computer store HDMI cables will do just fine. You can also try Monoprice as well for good cables at reasonable prices.
The only quality difference I can see between the Mon$ter cables and the computer store cables is in packaging.
For normal 6ft-15ft runs the computer store HDMI cables will do just fine. You can also try Monoprice as well for good cables at reasonable prices.
Article from another site:
Ever wonder why gadget store employees push Monster cables like they're crack? Bitchin' markups, just like you suspected (or knew) all along. That's what we found when a Radio Shack employee sent us his store's entire inventory list, which included the wholesale and retail price of every item in stock.
Some interesting reading...
Ever wonder why gadget store employees push Monster cables like they're crack? Bitchin' markups, just like you suspected (or knew) all along. That's what we found when a Radio Shack employee sent us his store's entire inventory list, which included the wholesale and retail price of every item in stock.
Some interesting reading...
... as even after huge mark-up is removed they don't even compare to pricing of other in store cables such as RCA or Philips and so many others. Kev604, you are definitely right about packaging as it is a big part of their cost which is tranferred to us and that is without mentioning environment issues. I bought some Philips and it is amazing the amount of bulky plastic you have to wrestle with in order to retrieve the cable! The more companies like mono price the better it is for consumers and humanity overall!!!
More PROOF
http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/marketplace/packing_the_deal.wmv
Saw this today and it confirms any an ALL suspicions anyone might have. I think most of us already know this but for those who might still be skeptical, have a look.
http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/marketplace/packing_the_deal.wmv
Saw this today and it confirms any an ALL suspicions anyone might have. I think most of us already know this but for those who might still be skeptical, have a look.
Joined
·
56,638 Posts
Replying to what wuvhandles stated,
About them dollar store coxial cables, yes you are correct sir. I'm 21 and didn't know any better when I was 16, so I bought some RG-59 cables from a local $ store.
Everything you said is correct and now I KNOW BETTER than to have bought them. Eventhough I never throughout the years have thought anything about the quality -- they were fine for my antenna uses indoors. But now when I think about it, copper beats out aluminum all the time. These $ cables have cheap aluminum contacts, so it allows them to be super bendy, etc, really inferior.
I'll be sure next time to buy only RG-6 now since its better. Things you learn when you get older eh ??
PS. I still have some leftover of these $ cables, what would you suggest regulating them for usage?
PS. #2: Some dollar store do sparingly offer name brand coxial cables if you have luck finding them like RCA. I got a meter of RG6 from there and they were way better, less bendy and copper wire inside. But then again, you got know how to tell a bad cable from a good.
BTW: Does anyone know what cable (RG-59 or Rg6) Rogers technician use? They seem to bend less, so are they good to use, because I too have some to use
About them dollar store coxial cables, yes you are correct sir. I'm 21 and didn't know any better when I was 16, so I bought some RG-59 cables from a local $ store.
Everything you said is correct and now I KNOW BETTER than to have bought them. Eventhough I never throughout the years have thought anything about the quality -- they were fine for my antenna uses indoors. But now when I think about it, copper beats out aluminum all the time. These $ cables have cheap aluminum contacts, so it allows them to be super bendy, etc, really inferior.
I'll be sure next time to buy only RG-6 now since its better. Things you learn when you get older eh ??
PS. I still have some leftover of these $ cables, what would you suggest regulating them for usage?
PS. #2: Some dollar store do sparingly offer name brand coxial cables if you have luck finding them like RCA. I got a meter of RG6 from there and they were way better, less bendy and copper wire inside. But then again, you got know how to tell a bad cable from a good.
BTW: Does anyone know what cable (RG-59 or Rg6) Rogers technician use? They seem to bend less, so are they good to use, because I too have some to use
Wow guys, working at an electronics retailers store I have different views of those highly priced cables.. just because they make me the most commission!
Really and truly though, using an Xbox360 Elite and the Sharp 46D62U I ran the microsoft HDMI cable that came in the box of my newly purchased Elite, I purchased monsters 300, 400 and Ultra 800 series cables, not because Future Shop makes me a balla but the fact that they're cables are marked up 2400% I can afford to buy them at a good staff purchase.
Testing each cable I found next to no difference at the 4-8' length. Now I didn't go as far as to test at longer distances but my questions to my likings were answered there and then.
There's no freaking difference...
Really and truly though, using an Xbox360 Elite and the Sharp 46D62U I ran the microsoft HDMI cable that came in the box of my newly purchased Elite, I purchased monsters 300, 400 and Ultra 800 series cables, not because Future Shop makes me a balla but the fact that they're cables are marked up 2400% I can afford to buy them at a good staff purchase
.Testing each cable I found next to no difference at the 4-8' length. Now I didn't go as far as to test at longer distances but my questions to my likings were answered there and then.
There's no freaking difference...
Joined
·
1,307 Posts
Superstore for 6ft HDMI, Component and optical cables. Better than Dollar store, at par with Monoprice and much cheaper than FS.
Hdmi Cable Clarification
I came across this story the other day and thought it might help some people out if they have questions about HDMI cables, even with HDMI 1.3 and whether or not you require a special cable as some retailers and or manufacturers claim.
This story does contain a small reference to prices for cables from some retailers, but has been cleared as ok by 57.
http://reviews.cnet.com/hdmi-guide/
I came across this story the other day and thought it might help some people out if they have questions about HDMI cables, even with HDMI 1.3 and whether or not you require a special cable as some retailers and or manufacturers claim.
This story does contain a small reference to prices for cables from some retailers, but has been cleared as ok by 57.
http://reviews.cnet.com/hdmi-guide/
I'd completely agree, I've been in the RF Engineering world most of my working career (16 years). I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the prices of the Monster Cables in Retail Stores.
Admittedly I did buy one out of curiosity, and also bought a Rocketfish HDMI off eBay (for a lot less than the Retail Prices in shops), and a HDMI cable from a friend of a friends computer shop. The price difference between the 3 being from $150 to $25(including p&p) and $15.
I can't see any difference whatsoever between the 3, I played a movie and fixed on a certain area, then would swap the cable and compare. I don't know which of my Shaw HD PVR, Phillips Upconverter or HD DVD player has which cable right now, and I'm not concerned either.
It all boils down to marketing, Monster did a really good job convincing people that they absolutely must have these cables to get the best quality picture they can get, and back it up with technical jargon on the packet that most people wouldn't understand, and because they don't understand it, and because the cable is so expensive, it must be true (members of this board exempt of course) I'll bet most people who don't frequent boards like this, if you asked them to name a brand name HDMI cable, Monster would be right up there. It also doesn't help that some stores sell Cable Company HD PVR's, with no Component or audio cables that were supplied in the box, and then recommending a selection of Monster Cables that just happen to be in the store. I've come across that on more than one occasion, and don't agree with it one bit, yet because of the commision mark ups, can understand why they do it.
Admittedly I did buy one out of curiosity, and also bought a Rocketfish HDMI off eBay (for a lot less than the Retail Prices in shops), and a HDMI cable from a friend of a friends computer shop. The price difference between the 3 being from $150 to $25(including p&p) and $15.
I can't see any difference whatsoever between the 3, I played a movie and fixed on a certain area, then would swap the cable and compare. I don't know which of my Shaw HD PVR, Phillips Upconverter or HD DVD player has which cable right now, and I'm not concerned either.
It all boils down to marketing, Monster did a really good job convincing people that they absolutely must have these cables to get the best quality picture they can get, and back it up with technical jargon on the packet that most people wouldn't understand, and because they don't understand it, and because the cable is so expensive, it must be true (members of this board exempt of course) I'll bet most people who don't frequent boards like this, if you asked them to name a brand name HDMI cable, Monster would be right up there. It also doesn't help that some stores sell Cable Company HD PVR's, with no Component or audio cables that were supplied in the box, and then recommending a selection of Monster Cables that just happen to be in the store. I've come across that on more than one occasion, and don't agree with it one bit, yet because of the commision mark ups, can understand why they do it.
My experience
In reading this article, it really does mirror my experiences with my system. My DVD player, a Sony DVP-NS755V, is pre-hdmi. I have it hooked up with component cables, Acoustic Research Master Series Component Video Cables, that I picked up at Princess Auto for next to nothing. The picture quality is incredible. I have it hooked up through my HK AVR645 to my LG LCD, all inputs are output through hdmi.
When I purchased my tv, I compared the differences between the two types of cables, there was a slightly sharper image through hdmi, back then, I didn't have the receiver, now, it's better, but still, but closer than before, I see a sharper image, but not enough to make me upgrade my DVD player.
So if you go through this article, you'll find them saying the same thing.
In reading this article, it really does mirror my experiences with my system. My DVD player, a Sony DVP-NS755V, is pre-hdmi. I have it hooked up with component cables, Acoustic Research Master Series Component Video Cables, that I picked up at Princess Auto for next to nothing. The picture quality is incredible. I have it hooked up through my HK AVR645 to my LG LCD, all inputs are output through hdmi.
When I purchased my tv, I compared the differences between the two types of cables, there was a slightly sharper image through hdmi, back then, I didn't have the receiver, now, it's better, but still, but closer than before, I see a sharper image, but not enough to make me upgrade my DVD player.
So if you go through this article, you'll find them saying the same thing.
I was in FS yesterday buying an external harddrive for my Mac to do Time Machine backups, and as I was checking out, a salesclerk was transporting a Samsung LCD to the car of the woman who had just purchased it. On top of the box were 3 Monster HDMI Cables priced at over $100 each. I would have said something but it's not my place inside FS's "house" and heck, if you've got the money and if you're willing to listen to a FS salesperson rather than do any research whatsoever, then more power to them.
201 - 220 of 372 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!