HDMI Cables

[Busyman™]

I always get my HDMI cables from http://monoprice.com. Haven't checked in a while, but back when I would buy them, they were around $4 for 3ft. Pretty good deal imo.

Eggzacklee. I've been shopping there for awhile now.

I see people buying these expensive cables and laugh.

I see an 11 ft USB cable at a retail shop for $25-$30 and the go to monoprice and get a longer cable for a 5th of that.

If you don't see much or no difference between component and HDMI, imagine the difference between Monster HDMI and monoprice HDMI.

[whitmar]

I am not an expert, but my understanding is that store-bought DVDs with copy protection may be limited to a lower resolution on component cables because of some kind of handshake issue. This would be avoided with HDMI. However, a shared release should play fine on either.

[Busyman™]

I am not an expert, but my understanding is that store-bought DVDs with copy protection may be limited to a lower resolution on component cables because of some kind of handshake issue. This would be avoided with HDMI. However, a shared release should play fine on either.

HDMI has nothing to do with DVD. You might be thinking hi-def discs.

[whitmar]

You're right, I meant to say HD DVDs. (I shouldn't post right after I wake up!)

[colt45joe]

store-bought DVDs with copy protection may be limited to a lower resolution on component cables because of some kind of handshake issue. This would be avoided with HDMI.

this is true. with my ps3 all my DVDs are limited to 480p because i am using component.

my blu-rays play in 1080i.

[whitmar]

This is quoted from the Toshiba HD-A1 manual: “HD DVD and DVD video disc creators have the option to include copy protection instructions in their discs that prohibit the output of some standard video or high definition video (original 720p or 1080i or up-converted 480i or 480p) from the COMPONENT OUTPUT jacks. If such instructions are present in the disc you are playing, you must use the HDMI OUTPUT jack to view the disc in a high definition format and the COMPONENT OUTPUT jacks, if activated, will output video only in 480i or 480p resolution.”

I hope this clarifies what I was trying to say earlier.

[Busyman™]

store-bought DVDs with copy protection may be limited to a lower resolution on component cables because of some kind of handshake issue. This would be avoided with HDMI.

this is true. with my ps3 all my DVDs are limited to 480p because i am using component.

my blu-rays play in 1080i.

DVDs were limited to 480p anyway unless upconverted to HD formats (720p/1080i/p).

The HDMI/component issue has to do with hi-def and nothing to do with content on the DVD.

I have an upconvert DVD player that won't show HD format unless using HDMI. This has to do with the DVD player showing anything hi-def and not the DVD itself.

If I try to upconvert an old DVD than predates HDMI (so it can't have the instructions on it), I still can't upconvert DVDs over component.

That is a hardware/firmware limitation of my particular upconvert player.

I've heard of other players that do upconvert over component.

edit: Also by what you are saying, your DVDs have this protection on it yet the Blu-Rays don't.

That is false.

Any digital medium can have the protection. That is called HDCP (ICT).

[DKre8ive1]

I just asked my cable guy when he came to install my boxes around the house for a few extra ones in case I buy some other components and he gave me like 2 sets. So that would be my advice or you could call your local cable/digital tv provider and ask if they could send you some just say that the one you have now is messing up your reception or that you bought another HDTV.

I also think that since signal is digital(a bunch of 1 & 0's) I really can't see how they could say that one cable is superior to another. Who knows maybe the build quality could be used as there selling point, but still I think these companies are charging way to much for them in my humble opinion.

[SaYiaN]

I always get my HDMI cables from http://monoprice.com. Haven't checked in a while, but back when I would buy them, they were around $4 for 3ft. Pretty good deal imo.

Eggzacklee. I've been shopping there for awhile now.

I see people buying these expensive cables and laugh.

I see an 11 ft USB cable at a retail shop for $25-$30 and the go to monoprice and get a longer cable for a 5th of that.

If you don't see much or no difference between component and HDMI, imagine the difference between Monster HDMI and monoprice HDMI.

+1 on monoprice site, Have my whole HT setup using their cables. I don't even notice a diff compared to some MONSTER cables

[Busyman™]

Eggzacklee. I've been shopping there for awhile now.

I see people buying these expensive cables and laugh.

I see an 11 ft USB cable at a retail shop for $25-$30 and the go to monoprice and get a longer cable for a 5th of that.

If you don't see much or no difference between component and HDMI, imagine the difference between Monster HDMI and monoprice HDMI.

+1 on monoprice site, Have my whole HT setup using their cables. I don't even notice a diff compared to some MONSTER cables

Yeah about order some component cable extenders for proprietary cables.

I can't just get longer Xbox 360 cables since the connector is proprietary. The same goes for the Vision camera so I need to extend the USB connector.

Actually I need to also extend my cable box power plug too

Monoprice has all of that.