HDMI Cables

[The Big Blue]

I ordered this one and am happy but the net jacket is really stiff.

Is the net jacket necessary?

[neckedness]

anyone opened an HDMI cable to see exactly what in it, any electronic circuitry at the connector? What's the wires like, cheap cable vs. expensive, 1.1 vs 1.2 vs 1.3?

I can tell you the cables at supermediastore.com are not 1.3, only rated up to 5gb.

[DJ Scotty]

The question has unfortunately become this, once more:

Are there major differences in HDMI cables aside from these so-called "Speed Rated" ones from Monster which supposedly pass the new high definition surround codecs?

I have one HDMI cable from Monster which I'm embarassed to admit again what I paid for it which connects my Blu-ray player to my receiver....then, I have a second HDMI line connecting my receiver to my TV....this one that connects the receiver to TV is a thick, black very heavily insulated gold-plated HDMI cable that I purchased from my installer; I am uncertain of the brand.

The question, again, begs to be asked: can true 1080p video be passed over ANY HDMI cable and how do I know if the Monster HDMI one I purchased will pass the new lossless and uncompressed audio codecs to my receiver successfully? Will I just get no signal at all if that doesn't happen?

Anyone who can lend any assistance with this issue, please advise when you can; it would be greatly appreciated.

[blindcat87]

Nope. HDMI is digital. As long as the 1s and 0s get there, they get there. Thiss "you need a special cable to pass the new codecs" is crap. Unless the cable states that it is only rated for 1.1 or below or is only rated for a certain length, it will do the job. Digital is the great equalizer. The signal gets there, has ovbious errors and dropouts, or it doesn't get there at all. Analog has a lot more potential problems with much more subtle effects of interference, signal loss, etc.

Cable manufacturers are trying to employ the same tricks they do with other digital cables. People all over the place are getting 1080p, lossless audio, and all of the bells and whistles with out of the box cables, cheap cables from parts express and monoprice and so on. Don't be fooled by snake oil.

Chris

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

The question has unfortunately become this, once more:

Are there major differences in HDMI cables aside from these so-called "Speed Rated" ones from Monster which supposedly pass the new high definition surround codecs?

I have one HDMI cable from Monster which I'm embarassed to admit again what I paid for it which connects my Blu-ray player to my receiver....then, I have a second HDMI line connecting my receiver to my TV....this one that connects the receiver to TV is a thick, black very heavily insulated gold-plated HDMI cable that I purchased from my installer; I am uncertain of the brand.

The question, again, begs to be asked: can true 1080p video be passed over ANY HDMI cable and how do I know if the Monster HDMI one I purchased will pass the new lossless and uncompressed audio codecs to my receiver successfully? Will I just get no signal at all if that doesn't happen?

Anyone who can lend any assistance with this issue, please advise when you can; it would be greatly appreciated.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

The question has unfortunately become this, once more:

Are there major differences in HDMI cables aside from these so-called "Speed Rated" ones from Monster which supposedly pass the new high definition surround codecs?

I have one HDMI cable from Monster which I'm embarassed to admit again what I paid for it which connects my Blu-ray player to my receiver....then, I have a second HDMI line connecting my receiver to my TV....this one that connects the receiver to TV is a thick, black very heavily insulated gold-plated HDMI cable that I purchased from my installer; I am uncertain of the brand.

The question, again, begs to be asked: can true 1080p video be passed over ANY HDMI cable and how do I know if the Monster HDMI one I purchased will pass the new lossless and uncompressed audio codecs to my receiver successfully? Will I just get no signal at all if that doesn't happen?

Anyone who can lend any assistance with this issue, please advise when you can; it would be greatly appreciated.

have a read...

HDMI 1.3 and Cables Part 1: It's All in the Bitrate

[DJ Scotty]

Nope. HDMI is digital. As long as the 1s and 0s get there, they get there.

So, I can rest assured knowing the HDMI my installer sold me IS sending the 1080p picture from my Blu-ray player? I mean -- don't get me wrong -- when I press the DISPLAY button of my Sony SXRD's remote, the resolution does ring up as 1080p, but I just wanted to be absolutely certain....

Thiss "you need a special cable to pass the new codecs" is crap. Unless the cable states that it is only rated for 1.1 or below or is only rated for a certain length, it will do the job.

Indeed; I believe this was one of Monster's new series of cables, and I believe it is definitely rated higher than HDMI version 1.1; and so this cable should push the new codecs over bitstream, correct?

Digital is the great equalizer. The signal gets there, has ovbious errors and dropouts, or it doesn't get there at all.

So, I'm hearing obvious problems in the audio, or else I wouldn't get a signal at all.....

Analog has a lot more potential problems with much more subtle effects of interference, signal loss, etc.

I have heard this theory before, but never had a problem with analog RCAs or any other link....

Cable manufacturers are trying to employ the same tricks they do with other digital cables. People all over the place are getting 1080p, lossless audio, and all of the bells and whistles with out of the box cables, cheap cables from parts express and monoprice and so on. Don't be fooled by snake oil.

Thanks, Chris. Much appreciated.

[blindcat87]

Digital is not analog. If there are errors, there are errors. If the picture is not blocky and dropping out and your tv is stating it is displaying 1080p, that is that. Some cables that cannot handle the length of run can downrez the picture to 720p, but when that happens the set says 720p. There is no such thing as a fuzzier or clearer digital picture. Period. It is there, full of errors, or not there.

Chris

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

Nope. HDMI is digital. As long as the 1s and 0s get there, they get there.

So, I can rest assured knowing the HDMI my installer sold me IS sending the 1080p picture from my Blu-ray player? I mean -- don't get me wrong -- when I press the DISPLAY button of my Sony SXRD's remote, the resolution does ring up as 1080p, but I just wanted to be absolutely certain....

Thiss "you need a special cable to pass the new codecs" is crap. Unless the cable states that it is only rated for 1.1 or below or is only rated for a certain length, it will do the job.

Indeed; I believe this was one of Monster's new series of cables, and I believe it is definitely rated higher than HDMI version 1.1; and so this cable should push the new codecs over bitstream, correct?

Digital is the great equalizer. The signal gets there, has ovbious errors and dropouts, or it doesn't get there at all.

So, I'm hearing obvious problems in the audio, or else I wouldn't get a signal at all.....

Analog has a lot more potential problems with much more subtle effects of interference, signal loss, etc.

I have heard this theory before, but never had a problem with analog RCAs or any other link....

Cable manufacturers are trying to employ the same tricks they do with other digital cables. People all over the place are getting 1080p, lossless audio, and all of the bells and whistles with out of the box cables, cheap cables from parts express and monoprice and so on. Don't be fooled by snake oil.

Thanks, Chris. Much appreciated.

[DJ Scotty]

Digital is not analog. If there are errors, there are errors. If the picture is not blocky and dropping out and your tv is stating it is displaying 1080p, that is that.

Okay...

Some cables that cannot handle the length of run can downrez the picture to 720p, but when that happens the set says 720p.

Well, my run is only about eight to ten or so feet to the TV; the other HDMI link from player to receiver is only three feet as the components are stacked on top of each other...so, I should be fine, right?

Do long lengths really affect resolution output like that? Jeeez....so what do people who are running long lengths to their projectors and such do?

There is no such thing as a fuzzier or clearer digital picture. Period. It is there, full of errors, or not there.

How would you tell if the image was "full of errors"?

[blindcat87]

Some of the HDMI cables out there are only rated for 15 or 25 feet. I have never seen a cable rated for shorter lengths.

If you have to ask what digital errors look like, you do not have them. Things look very square, motion is jerky and the picture blinks from blocky to blank blue screen. It is not like a fuzzy analog tv signal. It is perfect, it is unwatchable, or it is not there at all. No middle ground.

If your tv shows that it is getting 1080p, you have a picture that does not look like a bad modern art painting with intermittent blank screens, you are good to go. Companies like Monster just put all these little facts about what they can do on the cable box so they can charge more for it. Their cables are good, they just don't tell you that a 10 dollar cable from parts express or monoprice can do every bit as good. Frankly, from what uyou said, it sounds like the cable from your installer is an even better cable than a Monster cable as far as shielding and such. You should be good to go.

Chris

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

Digital is not analog. If there are errors, there are errors. If the picture is not blocky and dropping out and your tv is stating it is displaying 1080p, that is that.

Okay...

Some cables that cannot handle the length of run can downrez the picture to 720p, but when that happens the set says 720p.

Well, my run is only about eight to ten or so feet to the TV; the other HDMI link from player to receiver is only three feet as the components are stacked on top of each other...so, I should be fine, right?

Do long lengths really affect resolution output like that? Jeeez....so what do people who are running long lengths to their projectors and such do?

There is no such thing as a fuzzier or clearer digital picture. Period. It is there, full of errors, or not there.

How would you tell if the image was "full of errors"?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

How would you tell if the image was "full of errors"?

[blindcat87]

When I say rated, I mean the type of cable is designed for a specific maximum length. I use 2 3 foot cables into an HDMI switch since I have only one input on my reciever, one 2 foot cable going from the switch to the reciever. The cables are those short lengths, but the 3 foot ones are made of cable rated for up to 15 feet, and the shorter one is made from cable rated to 25 feet. I don't use one to my tv yet because my annoying reciever will not pass through a signal via HDMI to DVI, so I am saving for both a new reciever and a new tv.

I'll tell you, I have not listened to the new Onkyos, but what I have heard about them has them on my short list for what I am looking to buy. I have heard some Polks, and I think that you will be rocking with those speakers and your Onkyo. Hope you really enjoy it.

Chris

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

Thanks Chris; although, my cables ARE rated at 10 and three feet, respectively...

[U4K61]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

Well, if you've got an LCD which has trouble with blacks as it is, it is better to get one with more or better shielding which in turn may be more expensive, but the point is that it will deliver more of that scope of color.

MY LCD had a problems doing black using the analogue componet video also. But when I switched to HDMI, wow, what a difference!

[JasonR]

http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2309p111id121777.htm

Posted it before, but full of useful info.

[dtrush]

Took back a $60 cable & bought a $9 shipped from eBay. Couldn't tell the difference. I doubt there's any noticeable differences in HDMI cables. Buy the cheapie cable & a few more blu-ray discs with the savings.

[DJ Scotty]

Originally Posted by dtrush

Took back a $60 cable & bought a $9 shipped from eBay. Couldn't tell the difference. I doubt there's any noticeable differences in HDMI cables. Buy the cheapie cable & a few more blu-ray discs with the savings.

But are you talking about noticeable differences in SOUND or VIDEO?

[blindcat87]

Not my answer, but that would be both. Digital is digital, doesn't matter if the signal is video, audio, text or whatever. It is a binary file. 010101 = 010101 no matter whether the file being decoded is video or audio. This is why cost doesn't matter. An HDMI cable is in essence a computer cable. The program runs properly, or it doesn't run. The problem is that we are coming off of the analog age where things are a lot fuzzier and people keep wanting to apply analog thought to digital. Entirely different world.

Keep in mind that there are people out there that will tell you that if you buy their little pad of foil stickers and put them on your CDs and DVDs, it will make the picture and sound better. These same people will also advise you to keep your CDs in the freezer because that will make them sound better. I am not making this up. If I can find the bookmark, I will post it. Do a search for shakti stones and read up on that. But if you ask the people exactly how it makes the ones and zeros in the digital file any better, they can't come up with a straight answer. Nothing can make the ones and zeros into better ones and zeroes, creating more ones and zeroes wouldn't be an improvement, it would mess up the file.

I think if people would start thinking of digital video and audio files as computer programs and realize the difference between analog recordings and digital recordings and look at the difference in how they both work, it would make things a lot easier for them.

Chris

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

But are you talking about noticeable differences in SOUND or VIDEO?

[Gio]

Originally Posted by DJ Scotty

Do HDMI cables HAVE to have some kind of speed rating attached to them to pass full 1080p or the high def lossless audio? Is there a chance that if we don't have these ultra-high-bandwidth speed rated cables that Monster advertises we are not getting 1080p or uncomprssed audio sent to our receiver and TV?

The cable connecting my receiver and Panny '10A IS one of Monster's new high-speed-rated HDMI cables (I forget which series, but the package claimed it was pretty "high speed"), but the one going from my receiver to my TV is one that my installer sold to me for $70, and it's a real thick, heavy, black insulated cable with gold plated connectors at each end....I have no idea of the brand. Does this matter? Do ALL HDMI cables pass full 1080p video and high resolution audio?

EXPLAINING THE HDMI CABLE CONFUSION.
A common misconception is that all HDMI cables are the same-so just buy the cheapest cables you can find and they'll work for you. The truth is:


There are many levels of High-Definition digital video, and different standards for HDMI-enabled components. Hence, there are different levels of HDMI cables to connect them.


High-Definition (720p/1080i), as we know it today, is delivered at a 2.2 Gbps (giga-bits per second) throughput rate. Although high compared to standard DVD at .81 Gbps, it is miniscule compared to the throughput requirements that will achieve the best performance from High-Definition in the near future, which will require 10.2 Gbps and more. Previous generation HDMI cables developed to meet the original 2.2 Gbps standard are not certified for the new standard and may not pass the full bandwidth required to provide the best performance from these new products.


HDMI marks the first time that a cable connection standard has created a "superhighway" for digital content, with components yet to come. Even some of the original HDMI 1.0 cable from 2002, may not work with the latest sources and displays and sources of today (1080p, 12 bit color), and will surely strain to deliver the quality picture and sound content of tomorrow.


Unlike computer data, which is tolerant of data transmission losses, video data is not. Accurate transmission is essential. Most HDMI-compliant cables can transfer older versions of High-Definition (720p/1080i) data rate over short lengths, but have problems maintaining the same performance over longer lengths as well as higher data rates required of 1080p.




HDMI cables are very sensitive to construction variances. With HDMI's super-high data rate and microscopically tight tolerances, mishandling of cables during an install can significantly affect performance. Look for better shielded connectors, mesh jackets for durability, special winding techniques, nitrogen gas dielectrics to minimize loss, and CL 3 jacket ratings, to ensure maximum performance with every installation. These features all provide high practical use value.


A number of manufacturing factors such as cable construction, precision cable twisting, low loss dielectrics contribute to better performance in digital.


A new term has come to HDMI cables. With all of the confusing numbers of Megahertz, 60 hz refresh rates, as well as Gigabytes per second to rate cables, Silicon Image, co-founders of HDMI, has determined that speed is good way to combine all of the parameters above. Standard Speed and high speed are the two groups of cable designations, but there is a wide spread of speeds that these cover.

[Gio]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

3ft HDMI cable

6ft HDMI cable

10ft HDMI cable

what size ya need?

you must work for MONOPRICE im guessing a salesman

[Gio]

Eye-Pattern Test for Guaranteed Performance

Today, many cable manufacturers claim their HDMI cables pass a high-definition "eye pattern test." This, however, doesn't mean that all HDMI cables are created equal. For one, not all HDMI cables are eye-pattern tested for guaranteed compliance with the HDMI 1.3 specification. Many manufacturers also only test up to 720p/1080i resolution. Monster cables pass a rigorous 1080p eye pattern test at speeds above 165 MHz. twice the bandwidth necessary for 720/1080i.





Many "tested" cables also do not pass without errors. The culprit: inferior materials and construction. Cable and connector durability is critical to HDMI compliance and 1080p video reproduction since the slightest imperfections reduce cable performance. See the Eye Pattern Test illustrations below. Notice the number of errors or "mask hits" in the "Generic HDMI" test.





Inferior construction and manufacturing matters outside the lab in demanding high-performance home theaters. Under less than ideal circumstances, poorly constructed cables can introduce artifacts into your picture, which are often wrongly attributed to the display. Bit error often appears as color blocking, dropped pixels, flashing pixels, streaks, and other visual aberrations.

It's also important to note that roper testing for HDMI performance can be a very difficult task. Each manufacturer must use specific test equipment and follow specific test methodologies set up by Silicon Image, one of the founders of HDMI.

The equipment is extremely expensive ($250,000 minimum up to $600,000). The test standards themselves are very new, and very few labs are capable of accurately testing. Those who claim to have tested cables typically do so with casual visual testing, and not with the proper test equipment and processes. Monster has always used state-of-art measurements. We have found that the difference in cables varies widely, with many cables being sold that do not meet HDMI cable specifications. Monster tests 100% of its HDMI cables for quality so you know the cable will always work the first time and every time you use it.

[Gio]

Question: Aren't all HDMI cables the same? After all, it's just ones and zeros.
Today's High-Definition TV technology is on an unprecedented pace of growth placing greater demands on HDMI cable technology. With recent advances in High-Definition displays such as 1080p, and sources such as PlayStation® 3, data rate requirements have tripled since last year.

Cables that worked with original HD standards may not work for the much more demanding standards of today and tomorrow. As a result, HDMI co-founder Silicon Image has developed many revisions of HDMI cable specifications to meet these demands.

Not all HDMI cables are the same but you can look to Monster for high performance cables and designs that exceed current specifications.

Question: Why should I buy a Monster Cable over other less expensive cables?
Monster is the world leader in high performance cables, and is a leader in HDMI Cable technology. Monster builds products to exceed current specifications so that as displays and components advance and improve, the cables don't have to be upgraded.

Monster HDMI cables are also more durable and better shielded with special connectors and mesh outer jackets that protect the inner jacket from deformation that might occur in installation. High bandwidth signals are very sensitive to cable construction variances.

Get all the performance you paid for with your home theater TV investment. Monster may cost more, but it's worth it, considering the overall cost of the system, coupled with the cable/installation costs of upgrading to meet each new standard.

Question: What is important in HDMI cables?

Construction and shielding: Monster HDMI features precise construction, with exacting cable lengths in all conductors, using low-loss dielectrics. Monster developed a special Quad Helix back-twisting process, combined with special nitrogen gas dielectrics with extremely low dielectric constants, for ultra-low loss. Monster cable/connector shielding is superior to other designs that use only a foil shield.



Durability: The heavy casing on Monster connectors is directly soldered to the heavy-duty strain relief, so the cables maintain their performance even if the connectors are pulled or manhandled by the installer. In addition, the mesh jacket in Monster's higher-end THX Ultra cables helps to protect the cables from deformation, which may severely impact performance.