Posted on 02/20/2007 8:38:50 AM PST by george76
Everyone is talking about HDMI with the release of the PS3, and it's worth talking about; many people don't know that much about the cables or the connections. Heck, I've talked to people who don't realize that their PS3 will look better if they upgrade their composite cables that come with the system.
I'm not going to try to break down the entire issue of cabling because it's a broad one, but if you're looking to buy an HDMI cable, just pay attention to the fact that there are stores that will rob you and others that won't.
When I was in Best Buy a few days ago I couldn't find an HDMI cable that was less than $50. When I picked up my PS3 from EBGameStop I was offered a $70 cable. I started to despair; I'd be fine with my component cables for a while if it was going to cost me that much to upgrade into HDMI...
Cabling is something of a racket, and while there probably is a difference between the medium-quality cables and the Monster Cables that cost $100+, I'm guessing none of us have systems that will let us tell enough of a difference to make the price worth it.
I tracked down my HDMI cables at Meijer, of all places. They were stuck underneath the display and weren't badged PS3, so I did a price check. $20, Nyko brand. I brought them home, hooked the system up, and it looked great. That freed up a component input as well, so I was able to hook up my Wii component cables.
(Excerpt) Read more at arstechnica.com ...
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I bought an upverter DVD and one of these cables for my new LCD TV -- quite a difference. I even tried the old DVD with the old cable to see the difference, and I certainly could! I got a "preopened" cable package--they knocked off some of the price because the package had been opned.
Thanks for the info. I am looking for a 30' cable. Did they have ones that long at Meiers? Where would they have one that long?
"an expensive HDMI cable will make NO difference in the quality of your picture OR sound"
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=828972&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
Don't forget HDMI version 1.3
http://hdmi.org/resourcecenter/index.asp
35ft. HDMI to HDMI at MyCableMart on line for $85.40 - Here.
Thank you. Is there any noticable difference between tin, gold or silver plated HDMI for home theaters?
Most major electronics chain stores like Best Buy and Circuit City try to recoup the lost profit on TVs that get customers into the store by selling absurdly overpriced cables. These so called “Monster” cables are nothing special. Combine that with silly prices on TV mounts, TV stands, and so on, and you’ve just surrendered hundreds of dollars to them for profit.
http://www.macuser.com/video/apple_xtrememac_and_the_unlike.php?lsrc=murss
Thanks.
Sorry for preaching
I once had a Radio Shack Salesman tell me that Monster cables where better then fiber optics. I have a Pioneer Elite system with fiber optics connections. I called him the dumbest SOB I heve ever met when it came to electronics.
My information is that there is no visible difference whatsoever
between using plated- and non-plated connectors. I've tried both myself and seen no appreciable difference.
Absolutely. I used to work for Best Buy. Their discount is cost +5%. We could buy cables at about 1/3 the price with that discount. All accessories are mark-up. That's where they make all their money.
If you buy anything electronic-related without checking newegg.com first, you are screwing yourself.
Wire these so expensive?
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