Shopping for HDMI cables: who do retailers think they're kidding? Our price list inside.

opposable thumbs ^ | February 19, 2007 | Ben Kuchera

[george76]

pure markup ?

.

[george76]

[darkwing104]

Pure ripoff... I paid $29 for an 8 foot HDMI cable.

[Mamzelle]

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.

[stockstrader]

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?

[george76]

"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

[Incorrigible]

Don't forget HDMI version 1.3

http://hdmi.org/resourcecenter/index.asp

[darkwing104]

You are preaching to the chior...

[andy58-in-nh]

Cables that long are expensive, but: 

35ft. HDMI to HDMI at MyCableMart on line for $85.40 - Here.

[stockstrader]

Thank you. Is there any noticable difference between tin, gold or silver plated HDMI for home theaters?

[george76]

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

[HAL9000]

Using Unlicensed Cables, Controllers Voids Your PS3 Warranty (!!)

[whatexit]

Yes, pure markup.

And Monster is a despicable company, beyond their pricing.

As for signal quality - if you're dealing with a digital cable (HDMI, DVI, etc.) the data is either passing or not.

We recently bought a new DVD to hook up to our new Plasma TV. Circuit City didn't have and HDMI cable under $70. Thankfully, they were next door to a Walmart...

[george76]

Thanks.

Sorry for preaching

[darkwing104]

I've been a big fan of HDMI since it came out. I find that the cheap ones do have the same performance as the expensive ones.

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.

[andy58-in-nh]

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.

[USMCWife6869]

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.

[Niteranger68]

If you buy anything electronic-related without checking newegg.com first, you are screwing yourself.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Wire these so expensive?