HDMI Cables: Does Quality Matter?

zacharace · 06-15-2011, 11:42 AM

This question has probably been asked since time immemorial, but what HDMI cables does everyone use? I know stuff like Monster (and almost everything else Best Buy and other retailers attempt to peddle) is insanely overpriced, but I think quality--to an extent, of course--must make some kind of difference? To this end, I stumbled across ECore, a line of cables sold by a company called ShowMeCables (a quick Google should turn it up). They offer different lines of cables (varying in length and component quality) for different usage scenarios--a definite plus, one would think, over one-size-fits-all cables like AmazonBasics or Monoprice.

Before I take the plunge and buy one for my MacBook Pro, I'd be interested to hear what you guys think/recommend. Thanks much!

Zach

**ImRizzo** · 06-15-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zacharace

This question has probably been asked since time immemorial, but what HDMI cables does everyone use? I know stuff like Monster (and almost everything else Best Buy and other retailers attempt to peddle) is insanely overpriced, but I think quality--to an extent, of course--must make some kind of difference? To this end, I stumbled across ECore, a line of cables sold by a company called ShowMeCables (a quick Google should turn it up). They offer different lines of cables (varying in length and component quality) for different usage scenarios--a definite plus, one would think, over one-size-fits-all cables like AmazonBasics or Monoprice.

Before I take the plunge and buy one for my MacBook Pro, I'd be interested to hear what you guys think/recommend. Thanks much!

Zach

Visit WWW.MONOPRICE.com for all your cabling needs CHEAP !

hakstone · 06-15-2011, 11:55 AM

^^^^^What he said

Rick-F · 06-15-2011, 12:11 PM

"They offer different lines of cables (varying in length and component quality) for different usage scenarios--a definite plus, one would think, over one-size-fits-all cables like AmazonBasics or Monoprice."

I'm at loss to understand what you are talking about. Monoprice offers dozens of different HDMI cables-- various Lengths, Wire Gauge, Colors, Standard vs. High Speed-- what do you mean by "one-size-fits-all"?

And what "plus" does a high-priced "professional" cable offer a home user over a 6' $3.28 cable that works perfectly? seriously-- what is the "definite plus" of which you write?

DoctorCAD · 06-15-2011, 02:09 PM

Quality of the cable is important only in that a bad termination or a stiff cable jacket might cause some handling or wiring issues.

The signal travels exactly the same inside on a $3.00 cable as it does in a $199 cable.

The Amazon or monoprice ones are perfectly fine.

straybeat · 06-16-2011, 03:14 PM

Besides Monoprice I also use http://www.firefold.com and bounce back and forth depending on who has the better deal.

FWIW, I bought a bunch of HDMI cables from Firefold 4 years ago for $2.87 each (they're $4.99 now, last I looked). They've been through 3 TV's, a couple receivers and everything from HD-DVD, BD, Roku, Xbox and Playstation and still work fine. This was at the time when Monster's were selling for $186.00 here. LOL

zacharace · 06-16-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick-F

"They offer different lines of cables (varying in length and component quality) for different usage scenarios--a definite plus, one would think, over one-size-fits-all cables like AmazonBasics or Monoprice."

I'm at loss to understand what you are talking about. Monoprice offers dozens of different HDMI cables-- various Lengths, Wire Gauge, Colors, Standard vs. High Speed-- what do you mean by "one-size-fits-all"?

I mean with respect to an individual brand of cables. Monoprice may sell a ton of different cables, but no one single brand that has sub-brands of differing specs. This may seem like a pointless discussion, but I guess some people (me included) would find such organization easier to deal with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick-F

And what "plus" does a high-priced "professional" cable offer a home user over a 6' $3.28 cable that works perfectly? seriously-- what is the "definite plus" of which you write?

Not everyone on this forum is a home user

**ImRizzo** · 06-16-2011, 04:47 PM

Sound like spam for site on your profile page .......

teddymines · 06-17-2011, 11:05 AM

I got my toslink and hdmi cables from monoprice and am very satisfied. The build quality is above average, and I have had no problems.

If you're the kind of user who is always plugging and unplugging cables, you'll probably want something intended for the field so it will hold up against this kind of usage. Even then, you'll have to decide if that extra cost is worth it: you could always buy a few of the "consumer grade" cables.

If I plug in a cable and it works as expected for bunch of years, even with the occasional plugging and unplugging, that is high enough quality for me. Spending anything extra for the same experience is wasteful IMHO.

Loves2Watch · 06-17-2011, 12:30 PM

One thing many fail to consider or maybe they are not even aware of is this - All HDMI cables are made or assembled in one of three factories in China. Doesn't matter the brand, connector or anything else. Even the often touted better Belden HDMI cable that states "Made in America" is assembled in one of these labor camp factories. They are all the same when rolling of the factory line. Maybe one has a different end connector but in effect there is absolutely no difference.

tcarcio · 06-17-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

One thing many fail to consider or maybe they are not even aware of is this - All HDMI cables are made or assembled in one of three factories in China. Doesn't matter the brand, connector or anything else. Even the often touted better Belden HDMI cable that states "Made in America" is assembled in one of these labor camp factories. They are all the same when rolling of the factory line. Maybe one has a different end connector but in effect there is absolutely no difference.

Well I didn't know that, You learn something new everyday....

Thanks L2W.

**ImRizzo** · 06-17-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcarcio

Well I didn't know that, You learn something new everyday....

Thanks L2W.

The man just exudes knowledge, he's my hero, when I grow up I want to be just like him!

videomot · 06-18-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

One thing many fail to consider or maybe they are not even aware of is this - All HDMI cables are made or assembled in one of three factories in China. Doesn't matter the brand, connector or anything else. Even the often touted better Belden HDMI cable that states "Made in America" is assembled in one of these labor camp factories. They are all the same when rolling of the factory line. Maybe one has a different end connector but in effect there is absolutely no difference.

Interesting.

You say at most there are 3 different HDMI cables available on the planet - aside from length and cosmetic differences.

Therefore, if I randomly selected 4 HDMI cables, cut them in half, I would find at least 2 of these cables to be identical.

I would be interested to see independent data that supports this.

Loves2Watch · 06-18-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videomot

Interesting.

You say at most there are 3 different HDMI cables available on the planet - aside from length and cosmetic differences.

Therefore, if I randomly selected 4 HDMI cables, cut them in half, I would find at least 2 of these cables to be identical.

I would be interested to see independent data that supports this.

No that is not what I posted. I did state that there are 3 manufacturing/assembly factories. Of course there are different wire gauges as well as connectors depending on brand but internally they are all the same spec. and functionality wise comparatively.

Please read a bit more carefully.

videomot · 06-18-2011, 02:01 PM

You seem very hung up on "There are only 3 HDMI cable plants in the world and they are in China." It is not obvious to me why this is relevant.

You invariably connect that to, "HDMI cables are the same." Yes, I understand it is your opinion that all HDMI cables are the same when speaking in terms of performance.

If this is true, what difference does it make where they are made?

What difference does it make if a given cable comes from 1 of 3 factories in China or if the same cable came from 1 of 237 factories on every continent on the planet, plus 2 factories on Mars?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

No that is not what I posted. I did state that there are 3 manufacturing/assembly factories. Of course there are different wire gauges as well as connectors depending on brand but internally they are all the same spec. and functionality wise comparatively.

If they have difference wire gauges, then internally they are not the same.

Let me guess, you mean they all meet the same technical specification.

You do realize that meeting a manufacture spec or a test spec does not garauntee iniform results?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Please read a bit more carefully.

I thought I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

They are all the same when rolling of the factory line. Maybe one has a different end connector but in effect there is absolutely no difference.

all the same
absolutely no difference

You painted yourself into a pretty tight corner.

Still looking for independent verification of your "only 3 HDMI factories in China" statement.

I have some contacts in the cable and wire business. I will reach out next week and see that they can contribute.

06-15-2011, 11:42 AM	#1
zacharace Technical Writer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bexley, OH Posts: 4	HDMI Cables: Does Quality Matter? This question has probably been asked since time immemorial, but what HDMI cables does everyone use? I know stuff like Monster (and almost everything else Best Buy and other retailers attempt to peddle) is insanely overpriced, but I think quality--to an extent, of course--must make some kind of difference? To this end, I stumbled across ECore, a line of cables sold by a company called ShowMeCables (a quick Google should turn it up). They offer different lines of cables (varying in length and component quality) for different usage scenarios--a definite plus, one would think, over one-size-fits-all cables like AmazonBasics or Monoprice. Before I take the plunge and buy one for my MacBook Pro, I'd be interested to hear what you guys think/recommend. Thanks much! Zach

06-15-2011, 02:09 PM	#5
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,197	Quality of the cable is important only in that a bad termination or a stiff cable jacket might cause some handling or wiring issues. The signal travels exactly the same inside on a $3.00 cable as it does in a $199 cable. The Amazon or monoprice ones are perfectly fine. __________________ This post is not to be construed as a slam on plasma TV's nor an endorsement of any other TV technology.

06-16-2011, 03:14 PM	#6
straybeat Hard rock made me hi-deaf Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix Age: 55 Posts: 234	Besides Monoprice I also use http://www.firefold.com and bounce back and forth depending on who has the better deal. FWIW, I bought a bunch of HDMI cables from Firefold 4 years ago for $2.87 each (they're $4.99 now, last I looked). They've been through 3 TV's, a couple receivers and everything from HD-DVD, BD, Roku, Xbox and Playstation and still work fine. This was at the time when Monster's were selling for $186.00 here. LOL Last edited by straybeat; 06-16-2011 at 03:42 PM.

06-16-2011, 04:47 PM	#8
ImRizzo HDF SUPER MODERATOR Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Formerly: Brooklyn, New York .... It's not a place, it's an Attitude and a State of Mind !! Posts: 19,028	Sound like spam for site on your profile page ....... __________________ ..................................... PFC5 & Loves2Watch ~ RIP

06-17-2011, 12:30 PM	#10
Loves2Watch Former Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Flux Posts: 20,284	One thing many fail to consider or maybe they are not even aware of is this - All HDMI cables are made or assembled in one of three factories in China. Doesn't matter the brand, connector or anything else. Even the often touted better Belden HDMI cable that states "Made in America" is assembled in one of these labor camp factories. They are all the same when rolling of the factory line. Maybe one has a different end connector but in effect there is absolutely no difference. __________________ It's always time for pie Live everyday as if it was your last and plan on living forever...

06-15-2011, 11:55 AM	#3
hakstone Go Rays\Lightning Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa, FL. Age: 51 Posts: 155	^^^^^What he said

06-15-2011, 12:11 PM	#4
Rick-F 58 + 50 in. PDP 32in LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 3,137	"They offer different lines of cables (varying in length and component quality) for different usage scenarios--a definite plus, one would think, over one-size-fits-all cables like AmazonBasics or Monoprice." I'm at loss to understand what you are talking about. Monoprice offers dozens of different HDMI cables-- various Lengths, Wire Gauge, Colors, Standard vs. High Speed-- what do you mean by "one-size-fits-all"? And what "plus" does a high-priced "professional" cable offer a home user over a 6' $3.28 cable that works perfectly? seriously-- what is the "definite plus" of which you write?

06-17-2011, 11:05 AM	#9
teddymines High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 370	I got my toslink and hdmi cables from monoprice and am very satisfied. The build quality is above average, and I have had no problems. If you're the kind of user who is always plugging and unplugging cables, you'll probably want something intended for the field so it will hold up against this kind of usage. Even then, you'll have to decide if that extra cost is worth it: you could always buy a few of the "consumer grade" cables. If I plug in a cable and it works as expected for bunch of years, even with the occasional plugging and unplugging, that is high enough quality for me. Spending anything extra for the same experience is wasteful IMHO.

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