Monster cable vs. regular hdmi cable

[nezff]

if you buy monster, you are paying for a name. I have $10 monoprice HDMI cables with ferrite cores that produce a great 1080p picture.

Monster is very very overrated.

[Lacit170]

what about all these claims... ??

Many inexpensive cables sold on the Internet provide no real assurance that they will pass rigid HDMI specifications. In some instances, they only feature an HDMI™ logo, but fail to mention what data speed they support and/or if they meet the requirements of the latest specification, HDMI 1.3a. In other words, cables with an HDMI logo might be HDMI 1.0 compliant, but there's some question if they're built for the HDMI 1.3a Category 1 or Category 2 spec.

If packaging also doesn't feature a Simplay HD verified logo or a certified speed, there's some doubt it can even achieve a speed of 4.46 Gbps, required for verifiable 1080p performance. Just because a cable package has an HDMI™ logo on it doesn't mean it will meet HDMI performance requirements.

Also, claims of compatibility with "HDMI 1.3" are no guarantee a cable will maximize the performance of new and future HD equipment. There are two HDMI 1.3a specifications; one supporting speeds up to 4.46 Gbps (Category 1), and another supporting speeds up to 10.2 Gbps or 340 MHz (Category 2) with the aid of signal equalization. As previously mentioned, the latter specification is a must for 1080p performance with additional enhanced color features and lossless compressed surround sound.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

what about all these claims... ??

Many inexpensive cables sold on the Internet provide no real assurance that they will pass rigid HDMI specifications. In some instances, they only feature an HDMI™ logo, but fail to mention what data speed they support and/or if they meet the requirements of the latest specification, HDMI 1.3a. In other words, cables with an HDMI logo might be HDMI 1.0 compliant, but there's some question if they're built for the HDMI 1.3a Category 1 or Category 2 spec.

If packaging also doesn't feature a Simplay HD verified logo or a certified speed, there's some doubt it can even achieve a speed of 4.46 Gbps, required for verifiable 1080p performance. Just because a cable package has an HDMI™ logo on it doesn't mean it will meet HDMI performance requirements.

Also, claims of compatibility with "HDMI 1.3" are no guarantee a cable will maximize the performance of new and future HD equipment. There are two HDMI 1.3a specifications; one supporting speeds up to 4.46 Gbps (Category 1), and another supporting speeds up to 10.2 Gbps or 340 MHz (Category 2) with the aid of signal equalization. As previously mentioned, the latter specification is a must for 1080p performance with additional enhanced color features and lossless compressed surround sound.

You mean to tell us you've been around these forums since last summer, and you've never read one of the countless Monster and/or HDMI threads?

The "claims" by Monster are exactly that; CLAIMS (Marketing-speak, to be exact). 1080p24 blu-ray with lossless audio is passed at 1.10 Gbps. All Cat 2 HDMI cables are rated at 10.2 Gbps, therefore all Cat 2 cables are WELL capable of passing a 1080p24 signal without any loss of data.

Have you ever heard the saying "don't believe everything you read"? Well, that saying is all anyone needs to know about Monster and their deceitful marketing tactics. Do they make a good product? Yes, they do. Is it worth 50x (or even 10x) more than other good quality, inexpensive cables? No, absolutely not.

[Lacit170]

[QUOTE=Ricshoe;1746772]You mean to tell us you've been around these forums since last summer, and you've never read one of the countless Monster and/or HDMI threads?

um... yea, i dont read into this stuff that much except for when i get into an argument with someone.... sorry.... ill try to keep myself up to date to please you

[mau23]

it's pretty much a name, i got my HDMI Philips cable from walmart and believe me they work great. the sound and picture really look and sound nice, no complaints. but i also think the picture and sound will have to do something with the television and sound system you have. i myself at first was looking into getting monster cables but they are to expensive. so i went with something from walmart.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

what about all these claims... ??

Many inexpensive cables sold on the Internet provide no real assurance that they will pass rigid HDMI specifications. In some instances, they only feature an HDMI™ logo, but fail to mention what data speed they support and/or if they meet the requirements of the latest specification, HDMI 1.3a. In other words, cables with an HDMI logo might be HDMI 1.0 compliant, but there's some question if they're built for the HDMI 1.3a Category 1 or Category 2 spec.

If packaging also doesn't feature a Simplay HD verified logo or a certified speed, there's some doubt it can even achieve a speed of 4.46 Gbps, required for verifiable 1080p performance. Just because a cable package has an HDMI™ logo on it doesn't mean it will meet HDMI performance requirements.

Also, claims of compatibility with "HDMI 1.3" are no guarantee a cable will maximize the performance of new and future HD equipment. There are two HDMI 1.3a specifications; one supporting speeds up to 4.46 Gbps (Category 1), and another supporting speeds up to 10.2 Gbps or 340 MHz (Category 2) with the aid of signal equalization. As previously mentioned, the latter specification is a must for 1080p performance with additional enhanced color features and lossless compressed surround sound.

Even if this forked-tongue marketing speak were true, you could still buy a cheaper internet cable, find that it didn't work, and try 10x more and end up at the same price. Point being, their claims of durability, speed and future-proofing are all moot once you figure in cost of one Monster cable vs. cost of 5 or even more internet-direct HDMI cables.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

um... yea, i dont read into this stuff that much except for when i get into an argument with someone.... sorry.... ill try to keep myself up to date to please you

No need to take offense. It was an honest question, as there are, at times, weekly discussions around here about this very topic. Had you been new, I never would have asked.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

No need to take offense. It was an honest question, as there are, at times, weekly discussions around here about this very topic. Had you been new, I never would have asked.

wouldnt have asked the question if i knew the answer now would i

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

what about all these claims... ??

Many inexpensive cables sold on the Internet provide no real assurance that they will pass rigid HDMI specifications. In some instances, they only feature an HDMI™ logo, but fail to mention what data speed they support and/or if they meet the requirements of the latest specification, HDMI 1.3a. In other words, cables with an HDMI logo might be HDMI 1.0 compliant, but there's some question if they're built for the HDMI 1.3a Category 1 or Category 2 spec.

If packaging also doesn't feature a Simplay HD verified logo or a certified speed, there's some doubt it can even achieve a speed of 4.46 Gbps, required for verifiable 1080p performance. Just because a cable package has an HDMI™ logo on it doesn't mean it will meet HDMI performance requirements.

Also, claims of compatibility with "HDMI 1.3" are no guarantee a cable will maximize the performance of new and future HD equipment. There are two HDMI 1.3a specifications; one supporting speeds up to 4.46 Gbps (Category 1), and another supporting speeds up to 10.2 Gbps or 340 MHz (Category 2) with the aid of signal equalization. As previously mentioned, the latter specification is a must for 1080p performance with additional enhanced color features and lossless compressed surround sound.

The way to test this is to buy the cable, and see if you get 1080p/lossless audio, which can simply be done by looking at the output settings during the movie. If these cables didn't work, you wouldn't have people buying them.

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by mau23

it's pretty much a name, i got my HDMI Philips cable from walmart and believe me they work great. the sound and picture really look and sound nice, no complaints. but i also think the picture and sound will have to do something with the television and sound system you have. i myself at first was looking into getting monster cables but they are to expensive. so i went with something from walmart.

That is what i did. I have 2 hdmi cables. One from walmart, one from best buy. I have a Phillips cable from walmart and a rocket fish from best buy. I have not had any issues with my cables so far. Monster is a good product, but not worth the price.

[cdot2four]

back in 07 when i joined i didnt listen to anyone and i went out and bought a monster cable for $120 I loved the pic and sound. I was bored the other week and bought a hdmi cable from monoprice that had all the certified 1.3 crap on it for $7 i tested every which way and i got the same results from the monster as i did in the monoprice cable. I learned a $113 lesson

[nezff]

monoprice cables are cat. 2 HDMI 1.3b

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I am going to echo this sentiment too.



It is good that you're happy with your purchase, but the scientific data is there to peruse and it shows that there is no difference in performance with current media.

I know that lots of folks have given me grief because of what I stated. I'm neither for or against monster cables. I'm stating that you need to make a purchase that you can live with, scientific data, how much money you want to spend and your piece of mind. people are always coming down on monster, just don't buy them if you don't want to. Don't like what's on fox tv, turn to cbs tv and see if there is something on there that you want to watch. no one is making anyone do anything. the individual will either like and believe what monster or monoprice says about their product or they won't. if all things were perfectly the same no matter what there would only be one brand of everything. there would be no need to make more than one brand of anything. i'm sure that we have all purchased something because we wanted it even though others told us there was a cheaper brand that did the exact same thing. i own monoprice cables and monster cables too. at the end of the day I want piece of mind and sometimes, piece of mind (or the belief of it) cost, sometimes more, sometimes less. because not everything that cost a lot is bad and not everything that cost a little bit is good; most of the time it's a little of both.

[Pelican170]

[QUOTE=Lacit170;1746786]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

You mean to tell us you've been around these forums since last summer, and you've never read one of the countless Monster and/or HDMI threads?

um... yea, i dont read into this stuff that much except for when i get into an argument with someone.... sorry.... ill try to keep myself up to date to please you

Use the search tool first!

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I know that lots of folks have given me grief because of what I stated. I'm neither for or against monster cables. I'm stating that you need to make a purchase that you can live with, scientific data, how much money you want to spend and your piece of mind. people are always coming down on monster, just don't buy them if you don't want to. Don't like what's on fox tv, turn to cbs tv and see if there is something on there that you want to watch. no one is making anyone do anything. the individual will either like and believe what monster or monoprice says about their product or they won't. if all things were perfectly the same no matter what there would only be one brand of everything. there would be no need to make more than one brand of anything. i'm sure that we have all purchased something because we wanted it even though others told us there was a cheaper brand that did the exact same thing. i own monoprice cables and monster cables too. at the end of the day I want piece of mind and sometimes, piece of mind (or the belief of it) cost, sometimes more, sometimes less. because not everything that cost a lot is bad and not everything that cost a little bit is good; most of the time it's a little of both.

I intend on going into the business of buying monoprice cables, retagging and rebranding them (they shall be known as ÜberMonster Cables) & then selling them for three times the retail cost of equivalent Monster cables (they would be world famous "Übers" you know). My customers will have ultimate bragging rights and will be able to look down on the poor Monster cable customers. I'll PM a link to my new direct buy website once I have it set up.

[christopher2200]

I would buy other products from monster, but not hdmi cables way overpriced. I fell for the nothing is better than monster and shelled out $130.00 and will never do it again.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

Many inexpensive cables sold on the Internet provide no real assurance that they will pass rigid HDMI specifications. In some instances, they only feature an HDMI™ logo, but fail to mention what data speed they support and/or if they meet the requirements of the latest specification, HDMI 1.3a. In other words, cables with an HDMI logo might be HDMI 1.0 compliant, but there's some question if they're built for the HDMI 1.3a Category 1 or Category 2 spec.

If packaging also doesn't feature a Simplay HD verified logo or a certified speed, there's some doubt it can even achieve a speed of 4.46 Gbps, required for verifiable 1080p performance. Just because a cable package has an HDMI™ logo on it doesn't mean it will meet HDMI performance requirements.

Also, claims of compatibility with "HDMI 1.3" are no guarantee a cable will maximize the performance of new and future HD equipment. There are two HDMI 1.3a specifications; one supporting speeds up to 4.46 Gbps (Category 1), and another supporting speeds up to 10.2 Gbps or 340 MHz (Category 2) with the aid of signal equalization. As previously mentioned, the latter specification is a must for 1080p performance with additional enhanced color features and lossless compressed surround sound.

1080p24 as found on Blu-ray disc works out to around 1.10 Gbps. We are so far away from needing HDMI 1.3 certified cables as consumers it's not even funny.

Here is uncompressed 1080p24 on Blu-ray Disc with 24-bit True Colour, representing the current encodings.

1920 * 1080 = 2073600 number of pixels
2073600 * 24 = 49766400 (8-bit color)
49766400 * 24 = 1194393600 (24 frames per second)
1194393600 / 8 = 149299200 convert to bytes/sec
149299200 / 1024 = 145800 convert to KB/sec
145800 / 1024 = 142.3828 convert to MB/sec

That's 1100 Mbps you would need for uncompressed 4:2:0 1080p24, as found on Blu-ray.
Add in the maximum possible audio rate, which is uncompressed 5.1 24/192 = 27.648 Mbps
That’s 1127.648 Mbps you’d need currently for the maximum uncompressed Blu-ray feed.
That converts to 1.10121875 Gbps for uncompressed 4:2:0 1080p24 with maximum PCM audio.
That means Monster’s lowest cable is still over twice as fast as they’re claiming you need for 720p/1080i without lossless multi-channel audio and it not Cat2 certified.

Cat1 = 4.95Gbps
1080p24 is 1.10Gbps

If your player outputs (upscales) 1080p24 with 36-bit deep colour (12-bit) you're still at only 1.66Gbps for 1080p24.

All of monoprice's category 1 cables should pass 1080p24 from Blu-ray. This has been shown in tests time and time again.

Even if you set your player to output at 1080p60 you're still only at 2.78Gbps.

http://www.audioholics.com/education...ion-conclusion

I was stuck testing cables at 1.485 Gbps rates. That's practically child's play for most applications and I wasn't terribly surprised to find that even the "worst" cables passed video in real world tests. Heck, I even passed 1080p over a DVIGear 30 meter passive HDMI cable. 30 meters!!! And this coming from a company who won't sell a 10 meter cable without a cable EQ (included in the price of the cable) because it is concerned with quality.

This is a good read from Blue Jeans Cable if you want a bit more information - http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articl...dmi-cables.htm

[Captainhawk1]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I'm sure it's possibly true that one cable is just as good as the next but, your only on the rock on time so you better make the most of it while you can. if you think it will sound better and you will sleep better at night then buy it. sometimes we do buy the cheaper but some of us live with regret or always have that doubt that they did the wrong thing. I own 2 not expensive HDMI cables. I also own some monster cables, the M1000 class HDMI cables, 4 of them to be exact and yes they are expensive but, I have no regrets about spending the money because I believe I have piece of mind with them that I'm getting possibly the best picture signal I can get. Is that the gospel truth, am I getting the best picture, don't have scientific data to back it up but, i believe i am with what i know. buy them or don't my issue here is don't live with regret! Funny you never hear the driver of a car saying give me the cheapest seatbelts and airbags you've got, or a policeman saying don't you have a cheaper bullet proof vest than this. I'm not saying you need so spend tons of money but you've got to satisfy yourself beyond all else. I also wish I had some stock in Monster!

This is some really fuzzy logic here. It sounds like you just have remorse about spending an absurd amount for a $4 cable so you're trying to justify it.

Instead of going based science and fact to determine whether or not you're getting the best picture from your cables (and thus obtaining peace of mind) you're basing it off their marketing claims.

Also, it's really, really weird that someone would make an analogy between bullet proof vest/seatbelts and video cables as it's a complete non sequitur, but I'll humor this and go along with this line of thinking to it's logical conclusion.

If the cheaper bullet proof vests/seatbelts are materially the same (in other words the functional parts that do the work that the item is designed to do are the same, not the extra plastic crap) and give the same results, why would you choose the product that costs 25 times more yet yields the exact same results?

Monster is so incredibly full of crap. For fun go their website and try to sift through their mountains of confusing nonsense as to why you should spend an obnoxious amount of money on their "high quality" 24K gold plated cables that do nothing to improve your picture or sound.

It's all propaganda. There is absolutely no science that indicates that their cables are better than a $4 cable and they sure as hell can't come up with any.

[starkent08]

get a belkin cable there 24 bucks lifetime guaranteed i use my 30 ft monster cable as a dod leash