| HDMI cable - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| 03dc5 |
| I recently read that because HDMI is a purely digital signal, it isn't really subject to interference. So in regards to cables, there is no difference in a $60 cable and a $180 cable. Basically the signal either works or it dosn't. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but as someone who is going to be purchasing a HDMI cable very soon I'd like to know. So if anyone has any insight, it'd be appreciated. |
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| ehos |
| As long as it's the latest 'version' 1.3? then it shouldn't matter. |
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| NightmareMX6 |
| Price diff is related to the conductors used. Different metals conduct better then others. The more costly HDMI cable is more then likely not just copper, but a better conducting metal. |
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| Mustard |
also has to do with insulation... monster uses all kinds of crazy insulators to prevent noise on the lines...
usually it only matter at much longer distances though... so if you'r only going a foot or so, don't worry... if you're going across the building, then you MAY wanna consider something better. |
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| Wask |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
As long as it's the latest 'version' 1.3? then it shouldn't matter.
Do they even make TV's with 1.3 yet? |
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| Mustard |
quote:
Originally posted by Tech2
[B]HDMI is a digital signal, and so as long as the signal gets through there won't be distortion like you'd get with analog cables.
you're right AND wrong... just cause it's digital doesn't mean there's no distortian... it's a different KIND of distorition...
just cause the wave traveling inside is square, rather then sinusoidal, doesn't mean it can't be distorted...
regardless... it's USUALLY a waste to spend countless dollars on cables with protection from alien rays... :p |
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| Tech2 |
Yes, that is more accurate! :thumbup:
I think i read somewhere about there being some kind of error correcting algorithms on either end of an HDMI cable too, but I don't know enough to comment on that... |
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| dtjohnst |
There's more to it than "analog vs digital". Just because something is digital, doesn't mean it will give you better quality.
If you used your analog outputs on your receiver/DVD player/whatever, the signal is converted twice (possibly after already having been converted once) on the way to the TV. The logic is to go with digital all the way and avoid those therefore resulting better quality.
But it doesn't work that way. Your TV will still convert that digital signal to it's native resolution before doing anything else with it. Also, DVI and HDMI connections must have anti-piracy codes built in, and so your processor must do extra work to "decode" or authenticate the signal before displaying it, which does nothing to improve performance and if it's busy doing other conversions (like resolution) it might actually hinder performance.
Analog bypasses most of those steps. So depending on the quality of your TV, your receiving devices, and the chips inside them, you might actually be able to get better quality by going with analog. Maybe certain devices perform better analog and others digital, but the only way to know is to experiment with your combination, or if you're lucky know someone else who has.
Just a thought before you spend money on expensive cables.
As for differences in quality of an HDMI cable...there's good reason for that.
The first component would be the cable itself. If it's low-grade copper or high-end stuff. True, a digital signal is a lot harder to interfere with, but that doesn't mean it's impossible, especially when you consider that in general a digital signal needs to be more precise in general. Also, because a digital image takes up more room, the capacitance of the cable is extremely important.
Shielding isn't as big a deal in digital, and I'm sure even the cheapest cable has sufficient insulation, so I don't think that's worth noting.
The next big factor would be legnth. An analog cable can up to 50 meters long with good output and high-quality copper and experience minimal degradation. A digital signal with equally high end components begins to degrade in as little as 3 meters enough to notice pixelation. A longer, more expensive cable might have some form of amplification or error-correction built in part way to help out with that.
And on the subject of error-correcting, any cable that has one will greatly help your picture quality. Like I mentioned above, the processors in your TV can have a lot going on in a purely digital environment. Error-correcting is one more thing that can eat up time. I don't know if cables are available that do this, I don't use HDMI and all my information here is generic digital signal processing things that apply to any digital signal. But if you can get cables that do error-correcting, that means your TV will do all it's normal error-checking (no way around that), but won't have anything to correct (or very littles, and it's correcting not checking that eats up the most processor power anyways).
So the conclusion is there may be very good reasons why 1 cable is more expensive than another, and if you want the best possible picture/audio (since HDMI has built in audio IIRC), you'll want the best possible cables. Otherwise, it's probably ok to get the el-cheapo deluxe first and see if you're disappointed. |
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| Tech2 |
Well, just did an unscientific test. Mid level analog cables vs el-cheapo HDMI. HDMI superior for audio and video.
For dedicated audio though (analog signals of course), I would be all over higher end cables, just nothing with monster in the name. |
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| dtjohnst |
quote:
Originally posted by Tech2
HDMI superior for audio and video.
For your specific set up. |
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| GotMilk? |
| Costco has some Philips HDMI cables that are 12' long for $35.99 .. thought it was good price so just passing it along. |
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| golfer1 |
quote:
Originally posted by GotMilk?
Costco has some Philips HDMI cables that are 12' long for $35.99 .. thought it was good price so just passing it along.
Cheaper at DTEK Electronics |
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| kracka99 |
Monoprice.com is a good place to pick up some quality cables for a fair price.
Blue Jeans Cables is also a popular choice for all your cable needs.
Avoid the Mon$ter...BIG waste of money! I feel sorry for people that get sucked into buying these products.
-k99 |
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| Insomniac |
quote:
Originally posted by GotMilk?
Costco has some Philips HDMI cables that are 12' long for $35.99 .. thought it was good price so just passing it along.
I picked one up last week. It works, and looks noticeably better than component.
Anyone want to buy me an HDMI up-converting receiver? |
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| Tech2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Insomniac
I picked one up last week. It works, and looks noticeably better than component.
Lol, that's only for YOUR specific setup! Dtjohst! |
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| dtjohnst |
quote:
Originally posted by Tech2
Lol, that's only for YOUR specific setup! Dtjohst!
Exactly, you're learning, Grasshopper. |
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| EK9Hatch |
Good thread :thumbup:
Jamie |
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