Why You Should Never Pay More Than $10 For HDMI Cables

[ontherocks]

Why You Should Never Pay More Than $10 For HDMI Cables

cause I don't have more than $10

 

[Kittu]

cause I don't have more than $10

:lol: this works for me

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

It works for me too!

Suri, I am sure you have not included any unnecessary-hype component in your digital cable.

Whilst I am sure your analogue speaker will work, I am disappointed that you are staying with the outdated cable concept. I was hoping to see solid copper rod as an inner core. Never mind cable: I'm having my next house plumbed for sound!

 

[yrk1969]

The picture is brighter, the blacks are blacker, and the sound is fullsome. There are no artefacts whatsoever.

What does brighter picture/blacker blacks have to do with HDMI cable? There should not be any difference in digital.

Unless you are talking about Deep Color, for which, I think, there are no sources as yet.

 

[venkatcr]

What does brighter picture/blacker blacks have to do with HDMI cable? There should not be any difference in digital.

Unless you are talking about Deep Color, for which, I think, there are no sources as yet.

If you have read my posts, I have explained that an HDMI cable can cause issues at the pixel level. That would explain why a better cable gives me better pictures. Please remember a picture frame is formed by the TV based on the information its gets. When you are transmitting a 1080P image, if the data is incomplete, the TV will approximate based on internal logic for scaling.

Cheers

 

[NetFreak]

When you are transmitting a 1080P image, if the data is incomplete, the TV will approximate based on internal logic for scaling.

Based on the tests even a $5 cable passed 1080p signals without failure at 6 feet.

Only situation where this matters is when you are using a projector or your AV rack is far away from TV. In both cases, you might need 30+ feet of cable.

For most users, AV and TV would be in close proximity and they need not burn mega bucks on HDMI cables.

 

[vardu]

Based on the tests even a $5 cable passed 1080p signals without failure at 6 feet.

Only situation where this matters is when you are using a projector or your AV rack is far away from TV. In both cases, you might need 30+ feet of cable.

For most users, AV and TV would be in close proximity and they need not burn mega bucks on HDMI cables.

The main problem with using long HDMI cables is maintaining a signal and not with maintaining image quality - with the advent of affordable 'Over CATx' Extenders its been far easier to deliver a signal over long distances.

Keep in mind HDMI.org consider 10m (33') a long cable run!

An alternative solution would be to wire a good CAT6 cable in multiple rooms and then use baluns with hdmi or use it for voip/telephone/CC etc... in the future.

 

[deba]

Few months back I purchased a 2.5 meter HDMI Cable for Rs 250/- at a local electronic shop and its playing fine without any problem.I have connected my Blu Ray player with LCD TV. People sometimes do spend lots of money on interconnects which is not justifiable.

 

[venkatcr]

I have received objections from various members on the content of many posts in this thread. I have subsequently removed those posts. This particular topic has been discussed many time before, including the humour. If you have anything serious to contribute, please do so. Frivolous post will be deleted by me.


For humour, we have a separate thread. Please restrict your humour to that thread.

Cheers

 

[vivekam]

For many HFV members I have assembled a speaker switch. In spite of my best efforts, I was not able to reduce the cost with a given quality I was adamant about. Many of the people involved in the process have advised me - used cheaper connectors, why do you need such a expensive cabinet, use cheap cables, and so on. I stuck to my quality standards, and the end result was good. But it had a cost attached.

Cheers

Venkat Sir,

Switches made by you are of very good quality. They are working without any issues. I think spending a bit more leads to peace of mind. Today my speakers are safe as I don't need to connect/reconnect the cables to my Amplifiers.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I have received objections from various members on the content of many posts in this thread. I have subsequently removed those posts. This particular topic has been discussed many time before, including the humour. If you have anything serious to contribute, please do so. Frivolous post will be deleted by me.


For humour, we have a separate thread. Please restrict your humour to that thread.

Cheers

Objections? Who from? Those to whom this is a religious subject?

It's been interesting to see the reactions, but despite my respect for your experience, Venkat, if we are not allowed a little humour along the way then, frankly, in the future I won't bother.

The gods of expensive, over-hyped kit win again? Of course, what they hate most is being laughed at. Let the laughter continue.

Fine... remove my post.

 

[venkatcr]

Thad, none of your posts have been removed. I have sent you a PM.

Cheers

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Thank you Venkat. Seen and answered

 

[Hiten]

I know internet and AV data transmission work differently but how come my Broadband BSNL connection (comprising of 0s and 1s) running through rusty 20 year old junction box and travelling few Kms. to server of BSNL office send data efficiently (only Wang Goo's gender got confused ) but 'CHEAP' HDMI cable of 2 meters can make noticeable difference in audio and video.

HD Guru Gary Merson says even $4 cable is sufficient. Differences in the quality of materials, construction and wire gauge could be beneficial 'ONLY' if you are constantly reconnecting same cable.
Link--Inside the HDMI cable scam - Technology & science - Tech and gadgets - msnbc.com

 

[venkatcr]

I know internet and AV data transmission work differently but how come my Broadband BSNL connection (comprising of 0s and 1s) running through rusty 20 year old junction box and travelling few Kms. to server of BSNL office send data efficiently

I think I have explained this many times. In a computer network, the communication is two ways all the time. Each packet of data is tested at the receiving end and re-sent if there are checksum errors. If you go to the back end, you will be surprised at the quantum of packet/data loss that is common in such networks. This is hidden from you, and what you see is the final full data. Moreover, I am sure you have experienced speed changes, slow connections, and loss of connection to the Internet.

This is equivalent to seeing a movie stopping half way, skipping a few frames, or having a loss of audio or lip-sync issues. In an AV system there is no resending of data.

Cheers

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

hitensitapara, if your network cables were rusty your network almost certainly would not work! I've thrown away plenty of Cat5 (as it was then) cables. Some had noticeable crush damage from someone putting furniture on them, others had no visible fault.

The protocol by which you connect over the telephone system is very resilient, but not entirely so. Your broadband will fail long before your ability to make phone calls does.

Your connections won't actually be rusty, as the metal is copper, but may well be corroded. Check the stats in your modem status pages for SNR, attenuation, etc, then cut the cables back to clean wire and re-twist them. Check the status again: you are very likely to notice an improvement.

But... of course... this is an argument for proper connections and not for over-priced cable!

Digital cables are subject to specifications. If they meet the specs and are physically well made, I don't see the need for any more.

 

[NetFreak]

how come my Broadband BSNL connection (comprising of 0s and 1s) running through rusty 20 year old junction box and travelling few Kms. to server of BSNL office send data efficiently..... but 'CHEAP' HDMI cable of 2 meters can make noticeable difference in audio and video.

Difference is due to bandwidth. BSNL's ADSL maxes out at 24mbps. This speed would decrease as you move away from exchange. You can login to management pages of your modem and check current line condition.

HDMI needs to carry up to 10 gbps. That is approx 10,000 mbps.

In a computer network, the communication is two ways all the time. Each packet of data is tested at the receiving end and re-sent if there are checksum errors. If you go to the back end, you will be surprised at the quantum of packet/data loss that is common in such networks.

That is not entirely accurate. In computer networks, data is re-sent only in case of TCP communication. Other option is UDP where a lost packet is just lost.

Both AVR and TV are computers. And HDMI is a digital transmission between computers.

 

[vardu]

But... of course... this is an argument for proper connections and not for over-priced cable!

Digital cables are subject to specifications. If they meet the specs and are physically well made, I don't see the need for any more.

I think this pretty much sums it up - if it meets specs standards anything more is gilding the lily.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

HDMI needs to carry up to 10 gbps. That is approx 10,000 mbps.

Good grief!

That is not entirely accurate. In computer networks, data is re-sent only in case of TCP communication. Other option is UDP where a lost packet is just lost.

Aren't there other instances relevant to us, such as a computer retrying to get data off a CD where an audio player just fails?

Both AVR and TV are computers. And HDMI is a digital transmission between computers.

That is a good point. My logitech squeezebox remote is so much a computer that I can even telnet and log in to it!

 

[NetFreak]

Aren't there other instances relevant to us, such as a computer retrying to get data off a CD where an audio player just fails?

Audio CD specs are designed to prioritize zitter-free playback over accuracy. So, if there is some error in Audio CD, even PC will ignore those. This is in complete contrast to Data CD specs.