HDMI Cables

[Constitution 101]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

Considering that HDMI on an Xbox is basically a total fraud, it really shouldn't matter which one you use, as long as it connects your box to your TV.

The Xbox has it's own HDMI plug. You can't use any cable because it has a different end. It must be Xbox compatible.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Constitution 101

The Xbox has it's own HDMI plug. You can't use any cable because it has a different end. It must be Xbox compatible.

No, it's a standard HDMI plug, HOWEVER if you have a receiver that only accepts optical then you have to buy their HDMI with adapter.

Those of us with HDMI receivers are ok, as well as those who just link it to the TV.

[azncarbos]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

No, it's a standard HDMI plug, HOWEVER if you have a receiver that only accepts optical then you have to buy their HDMI with adapter.

Those of us with HDMI receivers are ok, as well as those who just link it to the TV.

Yea I was wondering about too! but if you buy the elite it come with the cable and adapter.

[HDTV1080P]

The following link in blue is a list of brands and models of HDMI cable that are Simplay HD certified

Cables

Simplay HD certified HDMI cables and consumer products have passed all the difficult testing for HDCP handshaking and connection at high speeds. There have been many consumer products that have failed the testing and certification process over the years (Not all companies pay the extra money to have their products tested by Simplay labs. Just because a brand or model is not on the list might just mean the company decided not to have that model tested by Simplay labs).

Quote
"In order to earn the Simplay HD logo, a product has to prove that it meets the highest standards for acquiring and sharing a high-definition digital signal. Our laboratories also test products for interoperability, to make sure all certified devices work together flawlessly."

Here is a list of A/V receivers, TV's, and other consumer products that have become Simplay HD certified.

http://www.simplayhd.com/consumers/verified_products.aspx

[cletus]

I was wondering about the said cables. I was at a store the other week and the salesman was telling me about differant cables out there. He obviously said the 180 dollars for six feet was alot better than the 100 dollars. Something to do with speed etc. I have a really hard time believing that almost 200 bucks for a cable will dramatically outperform say a 30 dollar cable from my local surplus store. Is this really true??

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by cletus

I was wondering about the said cables. I was at a store the other week and the salesman was telling me about differant cables out there. He obviously said the 180 dollars for six feet was alot better than the 100 dollars. Something to do with speed etc. I have a really hard time believing that almost 200 bucks for a cable will dramatically outperform say a 30 dollar cable from my local surplus store. Is this really true??

All you really need to worry about with HDMI cables is length, pretty much all HDMI cables will get the job done.

[Intamin]

Depends who you ask. Some say they notice a difference, others don't. I trust Rich (Naturephoto1) when it comes to these things, and he saw and heard a difference when testing out various HDMI cables. I don't have any personal comparisons, but my monoprice cables are satisfactory for now; however I would like to experiment with various HDMI cables for my own knowledge.

[My_Two_Cents]

To answer your question, No, they are not. However, you can get all of your cables from Monoprice.com, and they will be as good and perform EXACTLY the same as the overpriced cables sold in stores (and elsewhere). Stay away from Monster! The only improvement they will make is an improvement in Monster's sales figures. Don't believe the hype, because that's all it is.

[GBMidge7]

It's only a matter of time before you're redirected to the multitude of threads on this subject... and the majority of answers from people on THIS forum will be the same... NO, there is absolutely NO difference in HDMI cables. Digital is digital, that's where it ends. Myself as well as many others use cables bought from Monoprice or other online retailers for just a few dollars, and they perform EXACLTY THE SAME as the hundred+ dollar cables you'll find n overpriced B&M stores.

[GBMidge7]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

To answer your question, No, they are not. However, you can get all of your cables from Monoprice.com, and they will be as good and perform EXACTLY the same as the overpriced cables sold in stores (and elsewhere). Stay away from Monster! The only improvement they will make is an improvement in Monster's sales figures. Don't believe the hype, because that's all it is.

Dang it... you beat me to it as I was posting a nearly identical answer

[CasualKiller]

Regardless of price if your cables are category 2 certified you are good to go.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by cletus

I was wondering about the said cables. I was at a store the other week and the salesman was telling me about differant cables out there. He obviously said the 180 dollars for six feet was alot better than the 100 dollars. Something to do with speed etc. I have a really hard time believing that almost 200 bucks for a cable will dramatically outperform say a 30 dollar cable from my local surplus store. Is this really true??

The audiophile in me says that all cables, even HDMI cables, make a difference. But I've yet to perform my own tests, so I can't really comment. Apart from generic advice like buy a half decent, well constructed cable, I don't have much to add. Except avoid Monster cables. Not necessarily because they're bad or obscenely priced (their cables are pretty cheap compared to the stuff I prefer!), but because of their obnoxious business practices (like suing mum & pop companies that have "monster" in their name, even though they have nothing to do with audio).

Just keep the cost of your cable "sensible" in the context of your system. Between 10% and 20% of your system cost is the usual audiophile rule of thumb for "sensible". YMMV.

[jibucha]

Hello

Generally, going with the very popular Monoprice Cables is as good as any commonly available expensive cables, some priced in the hundreds of dollars.

However, there are exceptions, with the cables being significantly better, yet these cables are only in the $30 range; these being the best quality available.

The only two companies known to me that manufacture high quality HDMI Cables are by Belden Wire & Cable and Blue Jeans Cable.

So; save your money, as being to acquire high quality cables for no more than $30, and good cables that are as good as any, for under $10, it makes good sense to save your money and still purchase good quality.

Thank You

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by jibucha

Hello

However, there are exceptions, with the cables being significantly better, yet these cables are only in the $30 range; these being the best quality available.

Thank You

Statement does not make sense without listing brands and links. "best quality available" is based on what, exactly?

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Depends who you ask. Some say they notice a difference, others don't. I trust Rich (Naturephoto1) when it comes to these things, and he saw and heard a difference when testing out various HDMI cables. I don't have any personal comparisons, but my monoprice cables are satisfactory for now; however I would like to experiment with various HDMI cables for my own knowledge.

As Alex has pointed out Dave Schulte and I did notice differences both visually and audibly. But the tests were preliminary and we were only using the DVD and or Blue ray players that fed into an Hitatchi Plasma TV and were relying on the onboard speakers.

We did find that in general a 2 meter length of HDMI cable outperformed a 1 meter length. We had on hand for comparison the top of the line Silver Starlight 5.2 Wireworld both in 2 meter and 1 meter along with a 2 meter MIT and a 2 meter Audioquest HDMI cables. Hands down, the Wireworld cables produced better pictue and audio but, as noted the 2 meter version was better than the 1 meter. We think that for digital output 2 meter tends to be better than 1 meter; we also noted the same affect for 2m and 1m coaxial cables. The MIT and Audioquest cables did not sound nearly as good and we were noting such things as jaggies and differences in color as well as contrast with the Wireworld cables.

Rich

[jibucha]

Hello

Probably best to simply let Blue Jeans Cable provide you with the specifics of what makes their cables superior.

Their primer on HDMI Cables would equally apply to Belden Wire & Cable as well.

This document is extensive, detailed, and most importantly, not elusive in any regard.

Thank You

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Statement does not make sense without listing brands and links. "best quality available" is based on what, exactly?

[Opips2]

Shut up, I bought a monster cable HDMI. I saw new cable logo Blu-ray with Monster Cable. I'm comfort with the cable.

[Kryptron]

Originally Posted by Opips2

Shut up, I bought a monster cable HDMI. I saw new cable logo Blu-ray with Monster Cable. I'm comfort with the cable.

I'm sure the Blu-ray logo on them gives the picture more depth and quality. Sort of how stickers give race cars more horsepower.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Kryptron

I'm sure the Blu-ray logo on them gives the picture more depth and quality. Sort of how stickers give race cars more horsepower.

I thought it was the chrome wheels ...

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by gearyt

I thought it was the chrome wheels ...

Nope, it's the flame stickers, or if they're painted on they make it go even faster.