Which HDMI Cable?

Delshan · 09-01-2009, 11:23 AM

I purchased an LG 32lh20 LCD TV and the salesman set me up with a Monster HDMI Cable 780p/10801 8 Bit colour 2.23 GBps. The Owners manual says I should be using an HDMI cable version 1.3 or better (1080p and 4.95 GBps). But this is just a small screen with max 780p/10801. Wondering if its worth getting the better cable.

Rick-F · 09-01-2009, 11:34 AM

The resolution of your TV is 1366 X 768. I'd take the Moster cable back and get the $ back -- after you order a 1.3V cable from www.monoprice.com or cablesdirect or from one of MANY other on line sellers. You will save a lot.

Rick-F · 09-01-2009, 11:37 AM

The salesman and store may have made more profit off of the cable than they did off the TV . . .

Cadssdac · 09-01-2009, 12:05 PM

Mediabridge - 6ft
Any certified HDMI cable will "generally" work fine, but use Category 2 rated cables if you want guaranteed 1080p throughput.
Mediabridge is a quality cable that meets the higher standards of Category 2. And this pricing is exceptionally good for this quality cable. There are certainly other cables around that meet this standard as well. But basically, Mediabridge is offering a high quality cable at a great price at amazon.

Delshan · 09-01-2009, 12:24 PM

Thanks for your replies...But putting aside what brand of cable or price what I reallly want to know is whether its worth switching to a higher version. Will it impact my picture and/or sound?

**PFC5** · 09-01-2009, 12:31 PM

Why not get a HDMI 1.3 Cat2 cable from monoprice for only around $5.00 instead of the overpriced and underspec'd cable you paid way to much for?

How much did you pay for that Monster brand? That brand is marked up so much which is WHY the stores push them so hard. They make huge profits off of the Monster cables and they are a rip off because of the price.

Loves2Watch · 09-01-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delshan

Thanks for your replies...But putting aside what brand of cable or price what I reallly want to know is whether its worth switching to a higher version. Will it impact my picture and/or sound?

No it will not but you did pay at least $50 too much for that cable. I suggest taking it back and getting one from www.monoprice.com (about $8 with shipping). The money you save will pay for a new movie or two...

Techlord · 09-01-2009, 03:45 PM

When I purchased my $2000 dollar 52" display, Monster Cable wasn't even on my very short list. I spent $13 dollars at monoprice.com for 2 HDMI 1.3 Cat 2 cables for my hometheater, the picture and sound are amazing! Its well known fact that Monster Cable overcharges for all their HDMI cables, Monster Cable's main income is those overpriced HDMI cables!

Monster Cable's BS advertising on their most expensive HDMI cable by saying that its capable of passing a 120Hz video signal, there's no source available to the general public including Blu-ray that passes a 120Hz signal and is therefore "irrelevant"! Future technologies such as the new spec HDMI 1.4 has already surpassed Monster's ultra expensive cables and claims of their cables being ready for the future.

BeeF · 09-01-2009, 07:25 PM

My friend got two hdmi cables for $10 bucks online. He just gave me one cause he had no use for it. As said already don't buy monster.

RandyWalters · 09-01-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delshan

I purchased an LG 32lh20 LCD TV and the salesman set me up with a Monster HDMI Cable ......Wondering if its worth getting the better cable.

How much did they charge you for this Monster HDMI cable? Did you buy it at Best Buy?

Just get a cheap one from Monoprice or one of the Amazon e-tailers for $5 or less - it will perform virtually the same as a $180 Monster cable. Then return that Monster cable for a full refund. Seriously.

IGExpandingPan · 09-02-2009, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delshan

Thanks for your replies...But putting aside what brand of cable or price what I reallly want to know is whether its worth switching to a higher version. Will it impact my picture and/or sound?

It's digital. It either works, or it doesn't. If it doesn't work you notice it. A HDMI 1.3 "high speed" (category 2) has been tested and works for twice the bandwidth requirements of 1080P, well, that is if they are being honest about it. But lesser cables will likely do the job, they've just not been tested.

Monster does make some above average cables, if extremely overpriced. Their medium priced cables are a little below average IMHO, and in tests as well. There is really no PQ benefit to them. Always go cheap cable first, then upgrade if needed. But presuming sub 35ft the cheap cable will do the job just fine.

Cleveland Matt · 09-02-2009, 08:58 AM

Hold on, how important is it that an HDMI cable is "Category 2" certified? I just bought two HDMI cables from an Amazon e-tailer for $0.04 each (plus $2.99 each for shipping, haha). The description stated they were 1080p capable, their connectors were gold, and they had about 2,000 glowing user reviews -- but there was nothing about being Category 2 tested.

Am I to gather that they probably will work fine on a 1080p HDTV but just haven't been "tested?" How would I know when watching if my cable is underperforming?

And here I thought "cables are cables."

Rick-F · 09-02-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleveland Matt

Hold on, how important is it that an HDMI cable is "Category 2" certified? I just bought two HDMI cables from an Amazon e-tailer for $0.04 each (plus $2.99 each for shipping, haha). The description stated they were 1080p capable, their connectors were gold, and they had about 2,000 glowing user reviews -- but there was nothing about being Category 2 tested.

Am I to gather that they probably will work fine on a 1080p HDTV but just haven't been "tested?" How would I know when watching if my cable is underperforming?

And here I thought "cables are cables."

Certified cat 2 cables are guarunteed to work at the higher resolution-- that is not to say older, less pricey cables will not work; in fact the vast majority will work just fine. If you experience any problems with a 1080P input signal-- check the cable first. I had to switch an HDMI cable for my new BD player to get the 1080P signal, 1080i worked fine-- the cable was about 5 years old-- the newer one worked just fine.

IGExpandingPan · 09-03-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleveland Matt

Hold on, how important is it that an HDMI cable is "Category 2" certified? I just bought two HDMI cables from an Amazon e-tailer for $0.04 each (plus $2.99 each for shipping, haha). The description stated they were 1080p capable, their connectors were gold, and they had about 2,000 glowing user reviews -- but there was nothing about being Category 2 tested.

It's the difference between "should" work and "will work". If it's not been certified HDMI 1.3 "high speed", it should still work. If it does work, declare victory and move on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleveland Matt

Am I to gather that they probably will work fine on a 1080p HDTV but just haven't been "tested?" How would I know when watching if my cable is underperforming?

If it doesn't work. It's digital, and as such if something is screwy you'll notice it, you'll REALLY notice it. On a marginal cable you'll get sparkles that represent incorrectly read bits, and the drop off point is pretty fast from there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleveland Matt

And here I thought "cables are cables."

Not exactly, however for short cable lengths pretty much a non issue. There are rare situations where you need better shielding but the rule of thumb is start with the cheap cable, upgrade if needed.

09-01-2009, 11:23 AM	#1
Delshan What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	Which HDMI Cable? I purchased an LG 32lh20 LCD TV and the salesman set me up with a Monster HDMI Cable 780p/10801 8 Bit colour 2.23 GBps. The Owners manual says I should be using an HDMI cable version 1.3 or better (1080p and 4.95 GBps). But this is just a small screen with max 780p/10801. Wondering if its worth getting the better cable.

09-01-2009, 12:05 PM	#4
Cadssdac High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 33	Mediabridge - 6ft Any certified HDMI cable will "generally" work fine, but use Category 2 rated cables if you want guaranteed 1080p throughput. Mediabridge is a quality cable that meets the higher standards of Category 2. And this pricing is exceptionally good for this quality cable. There are certainly other cables around that meet this standard as well. But basically, Mediabridge is offering a high quality cable at a great price at amazon. __________________ Car GPS Reviews Reviews LCD TV

09-01-2009, 12:31 PM	#6
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,385	Why not get a HDMI 1.3 Cat2 cable from monoprice for only around $5.00 instead of the overpriced and underspec'd cable you paid way to much for? How much did you pay for that Monster brand? That brand is marked up so much which is WHY the stores push them so hard. They make huge profits off of the Monster cables and they are a rip off because of the price. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

09-01-2009, 03:45 PM	#8
Techlord High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 1,119	When I purchased my $2000 dollar 52" display, Monster Cable wasn't even on my very short list. I spent $13 dollars at monoprice.com for 2 HDMI 1.3 Cat 2 cables for my hometheater, the picture and sound are amazing! Its well known fact that Monster Cable overcharges for all their HDMI cables, Monster Cable's main income is those overpriced HDMI cables! Monster Cable's BS advertising on their most expensive HDMI cable by saying that its capable of passing a 120Hz video signal, there's no source available to the general public including Blu-ray that passes a 120Hz signal and is therefore "irrelevant"! Future technologies such as the new spec HDMI 1.4 has already surpassed Monster's ultra expensive cables and claims of their cables being ready for the future. __________________ I'll admit when I am wrong, why live in denial? I should have bought a Panasonic Plasma! Samsung LN52B750 240Hz LCD HDTV Oppo Digital BDP-83 Denon AVR-5700 THX Ultra Certified Receiver M&K Sound LCR-750 THX Certified 5.1 Speaker System w/V-1250 THX Powered Subwoofer LCD's viewing angle issues seen here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOYnAmDLXbY

09-01-2009, 11:34 AM	#2
Rick-F 58" & 50" PDP / 2 32" LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,560	The resolution of your TV is 1366 X 768. I'd take the Moster cable back and get the $ back -- after you order a 1.3V cable from www.monoprice.com or cablesdirect or from one of MANY other on line sellers. You will save a lot.

09-01-2009, 11:37 AM	#3
Rick-F 58" & 50" PDP / 2 32" LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,560	The salesman and store may have made more profit off of the cable than they did off the TV . . .

09-01-2009, 12:24 PM	#5
Delshan What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks for your replies...But putting aside what brand of cable or price what I reallly want to know is whether its worth switching to a higher version. Will it impact my picture and/or sound?

09-01-2009, 07:25 PM	#9
BeeF R.I.P. Impreza Legend Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 548	My friend got two hdmi cables for $10 bucks online. He just gave me one cause he had no use for it. As said already don't buy monster.

09-02-2009, 08:58 AM	#12
Cleveland Matt My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9	Hold on, how important is it that an HDMI cable is "Category 2" certified? I just bought two HDMI cables from an Amazon e-tailer for $0.04 each (plus $2.99 each for shipping, haha). The description stated they were 1080p capable, their connectors were gold, and they had about 2,000 glowing user reviews -- but there was nothing about being Category 2 tested. Am I to gather that they probably will work fine on a 1080p HDTV but just haven't been "tested?" How would I know when watching if my cable is underperforming? And here I thought "cables are cables."