HDMI Cables $12 vs. $100 vs. $250

[MrBlack]

So we all know that Monster is pretty much selling snake oil, but some people will still buy it because it is pretty.<BR><BR>I know most people on Ars are in the mid to high intelligence bracket and thought you'd appreciate this video. CBC's production engineer tests various HDMI cables and gives you the results (though I'm sure you can guess what they are).<BR><BR>http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/...20/packing_the_deal/

 

[jonah]

Since the thing's a video and there's no article or transcript there, I'll save everyone the trouble:<BR><BR>There's no difference at all.<BR><BR>As usual, the cheapest non-defective cable works just as well as the expensive snake oil in every conceivable metric aside from aesthetics.

 

[leavitron]

Which is why I tell everyone about Monoprice.<BR><BR>I got my 6 foot, HDMI 1.3 compliant cable for under $10 plus shipping. Combined with an optical cable for my blue ray to receiver and a new digital coax for my sub, I made out like a bandit at just under $25 shipped.

 

[DeedlitCryogenic]

And if you really want your "high quality" cables, buy them at the bargain prices. That and read the Bluejeans cable vs Monster cable while yer at the site. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --<br><br>www.bluejeanscable.com<br><br>For the record, I've ordered several cables through them, had problems (With delivery, not with them) and they took good care of me. <br><br>Read some of the articles while there, it mirrors what is said in the vid.

 

[leavitron]

Thanks for the alt source, Deed! Nonoprice is having stock issues right now, and I need a few more cables. Might give bluejeans a try.

 

[DeedlitCryogenic]

Might not be the cheapest, but I like 'em for political reasons. (Their reply to Monster, mostly.)

 

[HedPhuqt]

One of the tech sites, like gizmodo or engadget went to a guy with an oscilloscope-type machine and tested a whole bunch of hdmi cables. IIRC it turned out that when pushing a cable way beyond spec build quality started to matter. Otherwise it was fine from the most expensive to the cheapest. <BR><BR>I think connector quality might be more important than the medium itself, since you'll not want the cable falling out of your gear.

 

[MrBigglesworth]

A cable is a cable, a digital signal will either work or not.<BR><BR>When I got my new LCD over the weekend the sales droid asked which of the $100+ cables I need to go with it, particularly making gestures to the $135.99 6.6ft HDMI cables.<BR><BR>After I told home my first sentence above he finally quit trying to push.<BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Might not be the cheapest, but I like 'em for political reasons. (Their reply to Monster, mostly.) </div></BLOCKQUOTE> <BR><BR>Did anything ever happen after BlueJeans guy made his response?

 

[StanGable]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DeedlitCryogenic:<BR>Might not be the cheapest, but I like 'em for political reasons. (Their reply to Monster, mostly.) </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, I don't buy much from them (I think they're still too expensive), but I sure recommend them if someone wants pretty cables because of that letter.

 

[Neal]

The funniest/saddest part is that when we did the same thing back in the day with "gold plated" USB printer cables (at a big box computer store) we at least threw in an extended printer warranty. And some paper!<BR><BR>These days when you pay >$100 for an HDMI cable at Best Buy you get jack shit with it.

 

[Digitali]

Correction: you get buyer's remorse.

 

[KDogg]

In all the cables I've owned over the last 20 years or so, I can think of maybe two that have ever suffered any kind of problem, and that was probably due to being stuffed into a box under a lot of strain. If you're not using your cable to do jumping jacks, it's probably not going to wear out. I love how the one person says the $12 cable will wear out every 6 months. Even if that was true, it would take 3.5 years or so to equal the cost of some $250 ripoff monster bullshit.<BR><BR>When I think of Monster Cables I think of this quote:<BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> A fool and his money are soon parted </div></BLOCKQUOTE> <BR><BR>-K

 

[leavitron]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KDogg:<BR>If you're not using your cable to do jumping jacks, it's probably not going to wear out. I love how the one person says the $12 cable will wear out every 6 months. Even if that was true, it would take 3.5 years or so to equal the cost of some $250 ripoff monster bullshit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>The irony here being is that I used to buy Monster cables and I have one that is literally falling apart. The rubber grips on the RCAs on one end have decayed and fallen off, and the back end (cable end) doesn't clamp tight so the cable is actually loose. It's a 250 series so one of their higher end cables, too.<BR><BR>But as was pointed out, I could go through 10 from Monoprice and just be matching the cost of one from Monster.

 

[MrBlack]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Leavitron:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KDogg:<BR>If you're not using your cable to do jumping jacks, it's probably not going to wear out. I love how the one person says the $12 cable will wear out every 6 months. Even if that was true, it would take 3.5 years or so to equal the cost of some $250 ripoff monster bullshit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>The irony here being is that I used to buy Monster cables and I have one that is literally falling apart. The rubber grips on the RCAs on one end have decayed and fallen off, and the back end (cable end) doesn't clamp tight so the cable is actually loose. It's a 250 series so one of their higher end cables, too.<BR><BR>But as was pointed out, I could go through 10 from Monoprice and just be matching the cost of one from Monster. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You should be able to get it replaced under their warranty.

 

[3NV7]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodbac:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DeedlitCryogenic:<br>Might not be the cheapest, but I like 'em for political reasons. (Their reply to Monster, mostly.) </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Yeah, I don't buy much from them (I think they're still too expensive), but I sure recommend them if someone wants pretty cables because of that letter. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>Pretty cables? Is this actually a concern to anyone? -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif -- All my HDMI cables sit behind my entertainment center... they're actually orange. Not that it matters, as no one can see them anyway.

 

[Bond.]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HedPhuqt:<BR>I think connector quality might be more important than the medium itself, since you'll not want the cable falling out of your gear. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Speaking of that, anyone know where I could get some of those generic bracket things that allow you to fasten an HDMI cable via a screw?<BR><BR>I'm all for monoprice and bluejeans, bought tons of cable from them and reco them to anyone. My current setup includes Ultralink exclusively, but that's only 'cause the AV shop I do freelance design work for carries them so I don't really "pay" for them so much and certainly not $200—that's just stupid.<BR><BR>The funny thing is Ultralinks higher-end cables are actually the most annoying because it's so damn stiff. Makes it tough to neatly store excess cable anywhere.

 

[caustic meatloaf]

You know, I like sharp bits. What's wrong with that? Oh yeah.....nice and sharp corners on those bits. I NEED my gold-plated connectors, and hyperlitz weave geometry!

 

[StanGable]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Pretty cables? Is this actually a concern to anyone? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Not for me, but yeah, a lot of people care how they look. They're not hiding them, I guess.

 

[SBD]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Pretty cables? Is this actually a concern to anyone? Confused All my HDMI cables sit behind my entertainment center... they're actually orange. Not that it matters, as no one can see them anyway. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>Well, if you do it right, nobody sees the cables. Sometimes thats not an option, and having runs of lamp cord snaking through your living room isn't the best strategy for getting a significant other to approve an entertainment system -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --

 

[Shudder]

The 0s are more smooth when they come across a Monster Cable.<BR><BR>In all seriousness, I saw the point kinda when things were Analog, but with digital, it pretty much comes through or it doesn't.

 

[Deleted member 1]

Monoprice has good prices but they are getting sloppy recently though. I ordered something from them and they sent the wrong item twice. My sister also ordered from them and they did the same.<BR><BR>Not a good sign.

 

[BigLan]

I've heard that cable quality can make a difference on the mythical 'long runs' but that might be bunk for all I know. For regular stuff (10ft or so) you're not going to tell the difference between any cable.<BR><BR>I've also heard that some CE pros prefer the more solid connectors on expensive cable, and I guess if you were plugging them in all day it could make a difference. I don't know if it would be a $100 difference, but if you're playing with other people's money then I guess it could.

 

[leavitron]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ziontrain:<BR>Monoprice has good prices but they are getting sloppy recently though. I ordered something from them and they sent the wrong item twice. My sister also ordered from them and they did the same. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Not to dogpile on someone I recommend, but my last order did not impress me. I paid for Priority by weight, but they used a flat-rate envelope that was overstuffed. As a result, the enveloped was badly damaged in shipping. (Think huge, gaping hole - and how on earth did nothing fall out.)<BR><BR>I was disappointed. But their prices are unbeatable and I will order again once the Christmas purchases rush is over.

 

[Bond.]

The only legitimate problem I've heard about with HDMI cables was a projector not working with a mid-high-end cable, but then working with a high-end one. They were initially known for being "finicky".<BR><BR>I imagine that had more do do with the spec of the cable than the brand on it though. Things seem to have sorted themselves out.

 

[caustic meatloaf]

HDMI cables, for long runs, are susceptible to the same thing that analog cables are - attenuation due to cumulative impedance of the wire.<BR><BR>A simple fix is to just get an HDMI cable with a larger gauge wire in it, or one that's rated for your desired resolution over that distance. They're still cheap.

 

[anak1]

Fry's sells HDMI cables that come in a white bag hidden on the "cheap cables" aisle, which is away from all the high priced cables. They are made by a company called Shaxon. They cost $8 for 10 ft and work fine. I have 4 of them in use right now.

 

[DriverGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I've also heard that some CE pros prefer the more solid connectors on expensive cable </div></BLOCKQUOTE> <BR><BR>The Canare connectors used by Blue Jeans Cable are particularly good. <BR><BR>On the other hand... don't get my repair tech friend started on Monster Cables. They use what he calls "death-grip RCA plugs." He's seen more than a few cases where those things took so much force and wiggling to remove that traces on the PCBs behind the jacks were broken. In one case the Monster RCA pulled the sleeve of the jack right out of the unit. "Monster", indeed.

 

[skiingonmars]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MrBigglesworth:<BR>Did anything ever happen after BlueJeans guy made his response? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>From http://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/index.htm --<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> As of this writing, there has not been a further peep from Monster Cable. If this is the end of the matter, well--good riddance, Monster. If it is not, we will be sure to update this page from time to time to give our customers and others interested the blow-by-blow account of any ongoing conflict with Monster Cable. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I will admit to owning a pile of sturdy Monster-brand microphone and guitar cables (mostly because I still don't know about many better options). However, I ordered four HDMI cables from the Blue Jeans Cable site, and am pleased with them.

 

[PsychoStreak]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">In one case the Monster RCA pulled the sleeve of the jack right out of the unit. "Monster", indeed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Seen that first hand. It was not amusing, and fixing the jack afterward even less so. <BR><BR>What was amusing was what the connector from the Monster cable looked like after that tenth subway car finished running over it.

 

[cf18]

I once recommended Monster speaker cable to a friend, because they showed up in our local referb store XScargo, still new in old version of packaging, at really dirt cheap price.

 

[The Faceless Rebel]

I've bought a lot of cables from Monoprice over the past few years, and they all work great.

 

[ChrisG]

I've always thought the HDMI connector itself wasn't very well designed. The connection to my PS3 is quite visible (although not that I particularly care) only because my TV has 3 HDMI inputs,two of which are vertical. I use the one at the side because the cable plugs in horizontally (i.e. perpendicular to the panel) and is less likely to fall out that way - for a simple cable, most video connectors have a decent amount of weight in them.<BR><BR>FWIW, I think the HDMI plug should've used the twin-thumbscrews you find on DVI and VGA connectors instead.

 

[robotic_tourist]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 3NV7:<br>Pretty cables? Is this actually a concern to anyone? -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif -- All my HDMI cables sit behind my entertainment center... they're actually orange. Not that it matters, as no one can see them anyway. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>orange can be pretty too. (bats eyelashes)

 

[bluesdoggy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DriverGuru:<BR><BR>On the other hand... don't get my repair tech friend started on Monster Cables. They use what he calls "death-grip RCA plugs." He's seen more than a few cases where those things took so much force and wiggling to remove that traces on the PCBs behind the jacks were broken. In one case the Monster RCA pulled the sleeve of the jack right out of the unit. "Monster", indeed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I can attest to this first hand. I had a set of monster component cables that a friend who worked at Comp USA gave me, when moving out of the dorm for the semester, i unplugged the cable from my (at the time) fairly nice samsung tv and had the Pb cable pull the sleeve of the jack completely out.

 

[mhungry]

I'm a professional stagehand and A/V guy... I do this stuff for a living.. and i'll say it again: as long as the cable is rated for your application, with the right gauging/bandwidth, it doesn't matter if it costs $12 or $250. The key here is that it's rated for your application. There are a lot of cheap HDMI cables only rated for HDMI 1.0 or 1.1 or 1.2, as opposed to the 1.3 standards. <br><br>As long as the cable you're looking at supports the standard you require, it's all digital at that point, so you're not going to get degradation. That's kind of the major point of digital. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif -- <br><br>Even for Analogue cables the same holds true. As long as it's rated for the bandwidth you're using it for, it'll be fine.<br><br>I will comment though, on the areas of shielding and connector/cable robustness. It can be true that a more expensive cable might be better made. This can be important if you move it around a lot, plug and unplug it often, etc. In that case, you want a well built (robust) cable with good connectors, and a cheap cable doesn't always have that. That doesn't mean you need to pay $250 for it, but keep your eyes out. If, however, the cable is connecting your receiver to your TV (for example), you probably won't be plugging and replugging it much, so a cheaper cable with less robustness won't make a lot of difference. It also depends how rough you are with cables and your equipment. Be honest with yourself. If you're not Mr. Light Finesse, go for something that at least looks like it will stand up to your Fumble Fingers. Personally I'm gentle with my equipment; it's not uncommon for me to have a device over 2 years old that looks like it could have come off the shelf yesterday. That's not to say I don't have accidents, or that I treat my equipment with kid gloves all the time (I do USE my equipment after all!), but I've found that a little babying goes a long way. Don't bend and kink your cables up, or force them into sharp, nasty angles. Be gentle, allow curves, tidy them up, always pull the connector (never on the cable itself!), and remember the golden rule of cables: "If it won't go on right, DON'T FORCE IT!".<br><br>As far as shielding and the "static buildup" issue go, there can be differences in quality here as well. Often, cheaper cable will not have as good of shielding as a slightly more expensive cable does, and that can make a difference, depending where you are using the cable. Generally in home applications it's a non-issue, but in high-EM areas or the pro circuit, you might want to seriously look closer at getting something with better shielding. The buildup issue (usually) only occurs if the cable (assuming copper here) is using too small of a wire gauge for the application, which can be a major headache with cheap cables. Just watch out for that. Look for cables that list the gauge used if you can, and make sure it's appropriate.

 

[dfritschle]

Before Christmas I bought an Hdmi cable from newegg for 1.99 after rebate.

 

[VidasDuday]

I've always like a nice grid view of actual tests and found one here that was nice:<BR><BR>http://www.audioholics.com/edu...able-testing-results

 

[VidasDuday]

Hit Post Now too soon.<BR><BR>The gist of the comparison is $$$ <> quality.<BR><BR>You will find a 6' cable for $10 (monoprice) that will run a 1080p 8-bit 120Hz signal at 4.98 Gbit/s or you can spend $80 for the same cable from Monster.

 

[openaperture]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SkiingOnMars:<br>I will admit to owning a pile of sturdy Monster-brand microphone and guitar cables (mostly because I still don't know about many better options). However, I ordered four HDMI cables from the Blue Jeans Cable site, and am pleased with them. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>All of my monster death grip component cables are from 1997 before e-commerce really caught on. Seconded to Blue Jeans for their stand against monster. I'm just jealous I didn't think of it. Nitrogen gas injected dielectric connections.... -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif --

 

[civbat]

Can anyone "in the know" tell us the kind of wholesale pricing Monster has? A close acquaintance, who happens to be a salesperson for a local big-box retailer (Futureshop), offered to sell me a 6' Monster HDMI cable for $30 (reg $120). He says that's at cost. I was surprised.<BR><BR>I still ordered from Monoprice.