HDMI Cables - Page 67 - Blu-ray Forum

paul_66 · 02-14-2010, 01:14 AM

Can a category 1 HDMI cable, or simply a bad HDMI cable, distort the picture of a 720p resolution? Maybe give it less color range and perhaps make the colors bleed, make the picture look dull, degrade the picture altogether, and possibly delay the sound or video play? I'm just trying to make sure my problems are the HDMI cable and not my TV or PS3, which that's all I'm using. Though I cannot find anything on either one that solves the problem. But I am waiting on a new HDMI cable to come in the mail that is 1.3 version, category 2 certified. I just want to clear this up. Thank you.

tron3 · 02-14-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_66

Can a category 1 HDMI cable, or simply a bad HDMI cable, distort the picture of a 720p resolution? Maybe give it less color range and perhaps make the colors bleed, make the picture look dull, degrade the picture altogether, and possibly delay the sound or video play? ....

It's possible you have a bum cable, or a bad connection somewhere. Even the first HDMI cables are made to transmit a certain amount of bandwidth. Many people use older HDMI cables on newer equipment with little to no problem.

Possible issues can be seen as you begin to approach the maximum bandwidth of the old cable, which is normally not used to maximum potential. Thickness of the cable helps to gage the bandwidth it can carry, even at multiple frequencies.

I'm sure some of the other techies can explain it better. But that is how I understand it.

paul_66 · 02-14-2010, 08:14 PM

It is a pretty thick cable and used to be hard to bend, but I might have forced it a bit. I wonder if that could have hurt it?

tron3 · 02-15-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_66

It is a pretty thick cable and used to be hard to bend, but I might have forced it a bit. I wonder if that could have hurt it?

I have never known HDMI cables to be hard to bend. If a stiff cable has a "soft" spot it probably snapped internally - causing intermittent signal loss. If you forced it, yeah - you might have done something. Maybe a friend can lend you a cable to try out.

paul_66 · 02-15-2010, 04:20 PM

Thank you, tron3, for your response. I'll figure it out for sure once my new cable comes in. One other thing I should note is that for example, I turn on my PS3 and TV for the first time in a single day it'll take practically all day before I really feel like I'm getting a response from the HDMI cable. I can watch a blu-ray movie and it seems almost like a upconverted DVD. But when it does seem to finally respond, the picture still seems redish or purple-ish (which I thought was the tint, color temperature or saturation, but it didn't seem like it was). I really hope that's not the TV being defected... But when I put it on regular TV, I can't really notice it very much, but it was hard to tell, so I don't know. I do hope it is the HDMI cable so I can easily replace it.

Thank you, again.

caliblue15 · 02-15-2010, 04:30 PM

Alright, I got a question on seeing if my HDMI cable is dieing or something. While watching a movie, playing a PS3 game, even off of hard drive. I will get these little blips across the screen, its about 1 pixel sized, but goes across the whole screen for a split second. This happens ever so often. Didn't want to buy a new HDMI in case that this one works, and its just normal, but I'm pretty sure the HDMI cord is failing.

tron3 · 02-16-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliblue15

... I will get these little blips across the screen, its about 1 pixel sized, but goes across the whole screen for a split second....

Again, it MIGHT be your cable, it may not. I know in networking that overloaded bandwidth could create a timeout and response failure. As far as I know, the video feed is one way traffic. So, if the bandwidth is being clobbered I can not predict exactly how it would effect the picture. However, if the signal loss is on a particular band it may cause the trouble you are describing.

Other than that, contact your various vendors for better answers.

paul_66 · 02-16-2010, 04:47 PM

I think I found out that my whit balance settings on my TV might be the reason I'm seeing red and uneven color. I didn't know white balance had anything to do with color. But I still can't figure out where to put these settings. Seems, I might need to get a professional calibration? Unless I had color specific color bars that might help. Apart from that, I think my HDMI cable is still being slow on producing HD quality images...

Thanks again for your responses.

david118383 · 02-17-2010, 02:55 AM

From what I've read in this thread when you use an HDMI cable the signal either gets there or it doesn't at all, correct? So therefore there is no difference at all between $150 Monster cable and an el cheapo $3 HDMI cable from eBay, right?

progers13 · 02-17-2010, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david118383

From what I've read in this thread when you use an HDMI cable the signal either gets there or it doesn't at all, correct? So therefore there is no difference at all between $150 Monster cable and an el cheapo $3 HDMI cable from eBay, right?

For short runs, correct.

My_Two_Cents · 02-17-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david118383

From what I've read in this thread when you use an HDMI cable the signal either gets there or it doesn't at all, correct? So therefore there is no difference at all between $150 Monster cable and an el cheapo $3 HDMI cable from eBay, right?

As long as you are getting picture and sound, with no drop-outs, pixellation, snow, etc, then yes, they are the same. An HDMI cable will NOT give you better colors, contrast, sharpness, blacks/whites or fix a lip-sync problem. For longer runs, you'll want a better cable, but that doesn't mean you MUST go with overpriced Monster. Many around here have had good results with Monoprice 24AWG cables at 25' and longer.

Fors* · 02-17-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

As long as you are getting picture and sound, with no drop-outs, pixellation, snow, etc, then yes, they are the same. An HDMI cable will NOT give you better colors, contrast, sharpness, blacks/whites or fix a lip-sync problem. For longer runs, you'll want a better cable, but that doesn't mean you MUST go with overpriced Monster. Many around here have had good results with Monoprice 24AWG cables at 25' and longer.

I agree, as I have a 35' 24AWG CL2 rated HDMI cable from Monoprice and the PQ is excellent and I have had no issues at all with it.

david118383 · 02-18-2010, 09:13 PM

Is there much of a difference between a 1.3a and 1.3b cable? Can a 1.3b one pass lossless audio?

paul_66 · 02-18-2010, 09:15 PM

I just got my new Mediabridge HDMI cable and it's ten times better than the one I did have. I don't know if it was the cable itself or if the cable was defected, but the new one cetainly made a difference.

Steve · 02-18-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david118383

Is there much of a difference between a 1.3a and 1.3b cable? Can a 1.3b one pass lossless audio?

Yes a 1.3b cable can pass lossless audio. See below.

Quote:

Q. What is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.3a, or 1.3b?

For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC is actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality.

SOURCE

AndyTheZombie · 02-19-2010, 02:35 PM

I own two pairs of the Monster HDMI cables. they make the picture look just amazing. it really does improve it a lot.

repete66211 · 02-19-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyTheZombie

I own two pairs of the Monster HDMI cables. they make the picture look just amazing. it really does improve it a lot.

These Monster cables are an improvement over what, composite video cables, other HDMI cables? What are they replacing?

landry_p2000 · 02-19-2010, 03:30 PM

I had monoprice hdmi cables at first, and now have all Dayton Audio hdmi cables, and they have great picture quality, and are very affordable.

dobyblue · 02-19-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david118383

Is there much of a difference between a 1.3a and 1.3b cable? Can a 1.3b one pass lossless audio?

There is no such thing as a 1.3a or 1.3b cable.
There are category 1 and category 2 certified cables.
HDMI 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc., refer to the version of the HDMI interface, not the cable.

Category 1 cables are certified up to 2.25 Gbps
Category 2 cables are certified up to 10.2 Gbps

This doesn't mean that a Category 1 cable won't be able to pass Cat2 speeds, it's just not certified. At distances under 25ft it's very unlikely you'll find ANY HDMI cable that cannot pass 1080p60 with 12-bit colour.

AndyTheZombie · 02-19-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repete66211

These Monster cables are an improvement over what, composite video cables, other HDMI cables? What are they replacing?

what are you talking about? there not replacing anything. I don't have any shitty composite cables.

02-15-2010, 04:20 PM	#1325
paul_66 Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:USA 4K collection:325 Blu-ray collection:2324	Thank you, tron3, for your response. I'll figure it out for sure once my new cable comes in. One other thing I should note is that for example, I turn on my PS3 and TV for the first time in a single day it'll take practically all day before I really feel like I'm getting a response from the HDMI cable. I can watch a blu-ray movie and it seems almost like a upconverted DVD. But when it does seem to finally respond, the picture still seems redish or purple-ish (which I thought was the tint, color temperature or saturation, but it didn't seem like it was). I really hope that's not the TV being defected... But when I put it on regular TV, I can't really notice it very much, but it was hard to tell, so I don't know. I do hope it is the HDMI cable so I can easily replace it. Thank you, again. Last edited by paul_66; 02-15-2010 at 04:22 PM.

02-18-2010, 09:13 PM	#1333
david118383 Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Trading Score:1	Is there much of a difference between a 1.3a and 1.3b cable? Can a 1.3b one pass lossless audio? Last edited by david118383; 02-18-2010 at 09:17 PM.

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02-14-2010, 01:14 AM	#1321
paul_66 Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:USA 4K collection:325 Blu-ray collection:2324	Can a category 1 HDMI cable, or simply a bad HDMI cable, distort the picture of a 720p resolution? Maybe give it less color range and perhaps make the colors bleed, make the picture look dull, degrade the picture altogether, and possibly delay the sound or video play? I'm just trying to make sure my problems are the HDMI cable and not my TV or PS3, which that's all I'm using. Though I cannot find anything on either one that solves the problem. But I am waiting on a new HDMI cable to come in the mail that is 1.3 version, category 2 certified. I just want to clear this up. Thank you.

02-14-2010, 08:14 PM	#1323
paul_66 Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:USA 4K collection:325 Blu-ray collection:2324	It is a pretty thick cable and used to be hard to bend, but I might have forced it a bit. I wonder if that could have hurt it?

02-15-2010, 04:30 PM	#1326
caliblue15 Blu-ray Knight Member since:Dec 2007 Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:85 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:6	Alright, I got a question on seeing if my HDMI cable is dieing or something. While watching a movie, playing a PS3 game, even off of hard drive. I will get these little blips across the screen, its about 1 pixel sized, but goes across the whole screen for a split second. This happens ever so often. Didn't want to buy a new HDMI in case that this one works, and its just normal, but I'm pretty sure the HDMI cord is failing.

02-16-2010, 04:47 PM	#1328
paul_66 Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:USA 4K collection:325 Blu-ray collection:2324	I think I found out that my whit balance settings on my TV might be the reason I'm seeing red and uneven color. I didn't know white balance had anything to do with color. But I still can't figure out where to put these settings. Seems, I might need to get a professional calibration? Unless I had color specific color bars that might help. Apart from that, I think my HDMI cable is still being slow on producing HD quality images... Thanks again for your responses.

02-17-2010, 02:55 AM	#1329
david118383 Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Trading Score:1	From what I've read in this thread when you use an HDMI cable the signal either gets there or it doesn't at all, correct? So therefore there is no difference at all between $150 Monster cable and an el cheapo $3 HDMI cable from eBay, right?

02-18-2010, 09:15 PM	#1334
paul_66 Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:USA 4K collection:325 Blu-ray collection:2324	I just got my new Mediabridge HDMI cable and it's ten times better than the one I did have. I don't know if it was the cable itself or if the cable was defected, but the new one cetainly made a difference.

02-19-2010, 02:35 PM	#1336
AndyTheZombie Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Minnesota	I own two pairs of the Monster HDMI cables. they make the picture look just amazing. it really does improve it a lot.

02-19-2010, 03:30 PM	#1338
landry_p2000 Blu-ray Ninja Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Asgard Home Theater Gallery:9 4K collection:118 Blu-ray collection:800 DVD collection:25 Blu-ray reviews: 19 Trading Score:1	I had monoprice hdmi cables at first, and now have all Dayton Audio hdmi cables, and they have great picture quality, and are very affordable.

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