Differences of HDMI cables: need help.

I currently see alot of different HDMI cables in stores. Some don't say anything, but some say that 10.4 Gb or some this like that, Some say 120Hz for TV, gold contact, etc., and sure they are way expensive... Some at least 45 bucks. So, If I have a XBR9 TV, what HDMI cable should I use to maximize my TV and Panny BD60K?

Thank you.

The least expensive one you can find as they all do the same thing. Go here for all of your cable needs - www.monoprice.com

I currently see alot of different HDMI cables in stores. Some don't say anything, but some say that 10.4 Gb or some this like that, Some say 120Hz for TV, gold contact, etc., and sure they are way expensive... Some at least 45 bucks. So, If I have a XBR9 TV, what HDMI cable should I use to maximize my TV and Panny BD60K?

Thank you.

Here's the deal in a nutshell. It's digital, so it's either 100%, or it's not. If it's not 100%, you'll notice it. Anything rated HDMI 1.3a or b will be rated for twice the speed you'll be using at 1080P, thus you're already buying 200% with the el cheap-o HDMI cable.

You "could" buy a cable rated for 120hz, but this is pointless since NO blu-ray, no cable box, and NO HDTV will accept a 120hz signal. The ONLY gear that does 120hz doesn't use a standard HDMI cable.

You "could" buy something rated HDMI 1.1, and you'll likely get away with it. It's just not tested to 1.3 standards.

monoprice.com is a good place to shop for cables.

And what is the different between 24AWG and 28AWG? regular and Category 2? And I couldn't find 1.3b cables!

Thank you very much!

Have a nice weekend.

And what is the different between 24AWG and 28AWG? regular and Category 2? And I couldn't find 1.3b cables!

Thank you very much!

Have a nice weekend.

AWG is a size of wire. The smaller the number the bigger. Generally not an issue unless you're making a longer run, but 24AWG has bigger wire than 28AWG.

For example, I use 24AWG for a 25 foot cable between two rooms. I use a 28AWG cable from the wall to the TV - 2ft. The smaller wire is easier to bend in my mount, the thicker wire for the long run where it doesn't move. I "could" have gone 22AWG for the 25ft run, but 24AWG is adquate.

Category 2 (aka high speed) are the ones rated for the 10.6Gbps speed, which is what you want. The CL2 rated ones are approved for use in the wall and have more insolation. They seem to be the only option on monoprice if you go above 28AWG.

1.3a would be just fine, b IIRC is just the latest minor revision. The $3.56 1.3a at 6ft or so will do the job. Even at the tail end of a 25ft run, the $3.56 cables are working just fine. If you want overkill spend the extra $3~$6 for the 24AWG CL2 rated wire.

1.3b is rated for "deep color" (I had to look this up). It doesn't mean that the 1.3a won't do deep color, only that the wire has been tested for it.

The rule of thumb is buy the cheap wire, if you have problems, mainly with copy protection, upgrade.

ETA: Brands like Monster are "better" than average, but not worth the extreme cost. They "might" test them for higher bandwidth, but this won't improve your picture. They have strong ends that will likely accept more pulls than a $3~$6 cable, but given you can buy 20 to 40 cables for the price of one Monster cable, it's not really worth it.

ETA: Brands like Monster are "better" than average, but not worth the extreme cost. They "might" test them for higher bandwidth, but this won't improve your picture. They have strong ends that will likely accept more pulls than a $3~$6 cable, but given you can buy 20 to 40 cables for the price of one Monster cable, it's not really worth it.

No they are not better than average. Anything monoprice has is just as good if not better than anything Monster has to offer.

Don't be tricked by retail stores trying to sell you premium cables at many times the cost as they are not any better, it's all just snake oil. There is documented proof of this...

Thank you for all the helpful info. Now I am sure to get the cheapo (eahhh, not that cheap, 6 bucks ok) cables for my TV and Bluray player. One last (hopefully) question .. How can I tell the cables are 1.3a version, and 24 or 28 AWG, or Category 2 (aka high speed)? Is there any print or label on the cables itself?

Thank alot!

Thank you for all the helpful info. Now I am sure to get the cheapo (eahhh, not that cheap, 6 bucks ok) cables for my TV and Bluray player. One last (hopefully) question .. How can I tell the cables are 1.3a version, and 24 or 28 AWG, or Category 2 (aka high speed)? Is there any print or label on the cables itself?

Thank alot!

Sometimes it is printed on the cable and other times no. As long as it is a 1.3 cable the letter following makes no difference whatsoever. You can call monoprice and they will guide you if necessary.

No they are not better than average. Anything monoprice has is just as good if not better than anything Monster has to offer.

Don't be tricked by retail stores trying to sell you premium cables at many times the cost as they are not any better, it's all just snake oil. There is documented proof of this...

http://gizmodo.com/268788/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-verdict-cheap-cables-keep-upusually

I have to be fair based on these tests, the Monster Cables are better than your average Monoprice cable in providing supporting theoretical datarates of "future" HDTV standards (1080/1440P 120hz 12bit color). But as I said before, this is digital, and the cheap cables provide 100%. Something rated beyond 1080P deep color isn't going to provide better color or do anything for the end user unless they have a set and source rated at above 1080P. At present, this is limited to PC monitors which don't use standard HDMI cables, and odds are these future standards will use different cables.

I can say Monster is better than average. Good terminations, good quality. It would be cheaper for your average user to replace their HDMI cable with an el cheap cable 20 to 40 times than buying one Monster cable, and Monoprice without a doubt will survive MANY cable pulls.

However I will agree about the snake oil bit, making claims that it will improve your picture.

Thank you for all the helpful info. Now I am sure to get the cheapo (eahhh, not that cheap, 6 bucks ok) cables for my TV and Bluray player. One last (hopefully) question .. How can I tell the cables are 1.3a version, and 24 or 28 AWG, or Category 2 (aka high speed)? Is there any print or label on the cables itself?

Thank alot!

This info is listed on the monoprice website if you go monoprice.

This link is for tests of specific Monoprice Cables. (http://gizmodo.com/268788/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-verdict-cheap-cables-keep-upusually)Monoprice are a known quantity and work as advertised.

You'll note that monster's 2meter $20 cable didn't cut the mustard in these tests, but was adequate for 1080P.

You may need to check the back, or look for things like "deep color" rather than Category 2. Keep in mind that HDMI 1.1 cables "might" do 1080P deep color as well, just ones certified 1.3a or 1.3b have been tested.

Okay ... Now I am in to the cable construction ... Your info give me more interests about how cable constructed.

TV have 3 colors, 60Hz input, 1080x1920 pixels. So if we have 1080x1920x60x3x (n) where "n" is the number of bits for each colors. we have 373248000n bit per second, or 373.248n Mbps. deep color is 12-bit or 10-bit color? this might need to add 1 error bit, and 1 header bit or so, so we have at least 12 bit right? and the rate should be 4.478976 GBps. yeas, it must less than 5Gbps. This, is for single wire. The cable is about 19 wires (why), and it should be at least 2 or 3 wires per color. So each wire will carry 1/3 the bit rate of the cable. I believe that other wires will do something else, not to carry picture signal, like ground, sounds, control, etc.....

Correct me if I'm wrong. This info comes from my understanding about HDMI cable.

So, do we really need 10.6 Gbps?

Thanks.

Okay ... Now I am in to the cable construction ... Your info give me more interests about how cable constructed.

TV have 3 colors, 60Hz input, 1080x1920 pixels. So if we have 1080x1920x60x3x (n) where "n" is the number of bits for each colors. we have 373248000n bit per second, or 373.248n Mbps. deep color is 12-bit or 10-bit color? this might need to add 1 error bit, and 1 header bit or so, so we have at least 12 bit right? and the rate should be 4.478976 GBps. yeas, it must less than 5Gbps. This, is for single wire. The cable is about 19 wires (why), and it should be at least 2 or 3 wires per color. So each wire will carry 1/3 the bit rate of the cable. I believe that other wires will do something else, not to carry picture signal, like ground, sounds, control, etc.....

Correct me if I'm wrong. This info comes from my understanding about HDMI cable.

So, do we really need 10.6 Gbps?

Thanks.

Not at present as there is nothing currently capable of transmitting anything more than 8 bit.