"speed" of HDMI cable

Hi, I am close to purchasing a plasma tv/audio system and have been researching HDMI cables. I am still trying to determine if there is a difference between a $10.00 cable and a $70.00 cable. It seems logical that there would be but I have seen info that says differently. I have also read about different "speeds" of cable, certified 1.3, etc. I would like to hear from people what they currently use and their thoughts on the issue. And where they bought their cables.

Also, I want to get a surge protector. Same issue, does price matter? What kind do you use? Thank you very much for reading this and talking the time to answer!

A $6 cable from a place like www.monoprice.com and a $250 Monster cable do exactly the same thing. All of the hype about 10 bit and speed are nothing more than snake oil. Don't buy into it as there is no difference. Any decent surge protector will work and you don't need a power line conditioner (more snake oil). Many brands are available and the prices range from $15 to $50. The higher the joules, the more protection it will give. I have Belkin units that cost about $35 and they work well.

Without having to go through all the specification mumbo jumbo (I can if you really want), all I can say is don't pay more than $10- $20 for a quality 1.3a HDMI cable. Monoprice and a few others have quality cables that will fit the bill for undr $10 for a 6 ft. cable. I even got great HDMI cables at Home Depot for $15...... Bottom line, don't waste your money "Monster ripoff" cables IMO..

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=3661&seq=1&format=2

And as far as a good surge protector goes, kinda the same deal. Look for good one that prvides good protection/surpression. You can get a good one for around $15-$25 that offer a guarantee. The key to good surge protection is a properly wired and PROPERLY ISOLATED/GROUNDED house, but that is not always the case. A decent UPS system would be your best bet, especially if you had power issues in the past.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NDA5E0?smid=A2QQ2GK3VOMKC6&tag=yahoo-ce-mp-20&linkCode=asn

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-SurgeMaster-F9H620-CW-Wall-Mount-Protector/dp/B00006BBAC/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1222225413&sr=1-24

Thanks to both of you, I appreciate the replies. Bigloww, I am in the North West burbs of Chicago. I am really looking forward to watching Da Bears in HD! Just hope they start playing better...:D

was just checking out that monoprice site...looks good...I noticed some people were mentioning that the HDMI cables were very stiff almost to the point of not being usable. Have you bought them from there and seen that? I am looking at the 10 foot variety.

was just checking out that monoprice site...looks good...I noticed some people were mentioning that the HDMI cables were very stiff almost to the point of not being usable. Have you bought them from there and seen that? I am looking at the 10 foot variety.

Yeah, I got the 24 awg 10 ft. cable and it was a tad stiff, but not a big deal. But that was due to the thickness of the cable. I think many of the people that were complaining for the most part had the 6ft. 24 awg cable which is the cable I posted. Due to the thickness of the 24 awg cable, yes, I can see where some people may have an issue on the flexability of the cable depending on the distance and placement of equiptment, but not the norm. But at 10 ft and less the 28 awg is all you need and what I meant to post anyway. Plus it is a bit less expensive too. They are thinner and more flexable, and at 10 ft even more so. At 10 ft. you can go either way for the most part. If the spacing between components will be close to maxing out the 10 ft length or an in wall, the 24 awg may give you fits trying to make hard turns at the connection ends. The 28 awg will give you more flexibility if this is the case. And if under 10 ft I would definately go 28 awg IMO...

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3993&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=3662&seq=1&format=2

I just purchased a few 15' HDMI cables from monoprice and didn't find them too stiff at all.

Thanks again, guys. I am still learning (obviously!). I am planning to put my plasma on a stand to start with, so I could probably get the 6' cable. But eventually it will probably end up on the wall, so I figured I would buy longer (10') cable now.

Thanks again, guys. I am still learning (obviously!). I am planning to put my plasma on a stand to start with, so I could probably get the 6' cable. But eventually it will probably end up on the wall, so I figured I would buy longer (10') cable now.

Good idea, plan for the future.

was just checking out that monoprice site...looks good...I noticed some people were mentioning that the HDMI cables were very stiff almost to the point of not being usable. Have you bought them from there and seen that? I am looking at the 10 foot variety.

For most "hook-up" applications, stick with the 28awg cables (or perhaps 26awg at most).

Although I have never bought any, I do suspect that the 22awg types will be pretty stiff and more suitable only where required for long runs.