Black Bars and HDMI Cables - Blu-ray Forum

hphansen · 11-18-2007, 08:14 AM

I am new to the forum so please excuse me if I am reposting. I just recently purchased both a Blu-ray player (Panasonic DMP BD30K) and an HD DVD player (Toshiba A3) Both of these players are hooked up to a Panasonic TH-PX600U plasma. The problem that I am having is that all of my movies both Blu-ray and HD DVD have black bars on the top and bottom. I am wondering if missed something in the setup or is this just the nature of the beast?

My second question is regarding HDMI cables. I heard that there is no difference between a normal HDMI cable and a very expensive "Monster Cable" version, because this is a digital signal and it either gets there or it doesn't. Can anyone verify this? Does it make sense to pay $100.00 for a 3 ft HDMI cable?

Thank you in advance for all of your opinions -

hphansen · 11-18-2007, 08:28 AM

I feel like a real idiot, I was checking my post and noticed that right above is a sticky addressing my first question in details. Sorry guys!! Please let me know about the second question though.

WickyWoo · 11-18-2007, 03:21 PM

No, there really isn't any difference. As long as you buy a decently made cable (the $5 6ft cables from Monoprice are great), and don't see sparkling and other signs of dropout you're good to go.

mastertang · 11-18-2007, 03:40 PM

Yeah. Industry pros know the truth. Some have actually passed HDMI signal over Cat5e cable (good standard telephone wire, very cheap). All that 1.3b stuff is more important for high-end and future improvement reasons. I have a 1.3 for audio reasons(just in case) from my ps3 to my receiver, and a generic one from receiver to tv. It takes about 2 minutes to find cheap hdmi cables on the net. For example, there is no difference between a USB 1 and 2 cable, It's what's on both ends that matters.

Brent · 11-18-2007, 03:45 PM

There are quite a few threads on your second question as well.

The cheaper HDMI cables do just as well at standard lengths. If you have to run a longer cable or if you have to have your cable by some device that will cause interference, you would probably see benefit in a Monster cable, because the Monster cables have better protection.

I

crackinhedz · 11-18-2007, 04:58 PM

Monoprice.com HDMI Cables

11-18-2007, 08:14 AM	#1
hphansen New Member Member since:Nov 2007	Black Bars and HDMI Cables I am new to the forum so please excuse me if I am reposting. I just recently purchased both a Blu-ray player (Panasonic DMP BD30K) and an HD DVD player (Toshiba A3) Both of these players are hooked up to a Panasonic TH-PX600U plasma. The problem that I am having is that all of my movies both Blu-ray and HD DVD have black bars on the top and bottom. I am wondering if missed something in the setup or is this just the nature of the beast? My second question is regarding HDMI cables. I heard that there is no difference between a normal HDMI cable and a very expensive "Monster Cable" version, because this is a digital signal and it either gets there or it doesn't. Can anyone verify this? Does it make sense to pay $100.00 for a 3 ft HDMI cable? Thank you in advance for all of your opinions -

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11-18-2007, 08:28 AM	#2
hphansen New Member Member since:Nov 2007	I feel like a real idiot, I was checking my post and noticed that right above is a sticky addressing my first question in details. Sorry guys!! Please let me know about the second question though.

11-18-2007, 03:21 PM	#3
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	No, there really isn't any difference. As long as you buy a decently made cable (the $5 6ft cables from Monoprice are great), and don't see sparkling and other signs of dropout you're good to go.

11-18-2007, 03:40 PM	#4
mastertang Active Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:62 Blu-ray reviews: 3	Yeah. Industry pros know the truth. Some have actually passed HDMI signal over Cat5e cable (good standard telephone wire, very cheap). All that 1.3b stuff is more important for high-end and future improvement reasons. I have a 1.3 for audio reasons(just in case) from my ps3 to my receiver, and a generic one from receiver to tv. It takes about 2 minutes to find cheap hdmi cables on the net. For example, there is no difference between a USB 1 and 2 cable, It's what's on both ends that matters.

11-18-2007, 03:45 PM	#5
Brent Member Member since:Mar 2007	There are quite a few threads on your second question as well. The cheaper HDMI cables do just as well at standard lengths. If you have to run a longer cable or if you have to have your cable by some device that will cause interference, you would probably see benefit in a Monster cable, because the Monster cables have better protection. I

11-18-2007, 04:58 PM	#6
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	Monoprice.com HDMI Cables

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