Expensive HDMI Vs Cheap HDMI cables
Discussion
davepoth said:
It's digital. If it works, it's perfect quality. If it doesn't, it won't work.
I bought one for £3 in Lidl. Works absolutely fine.
It's a little more complicated than that, because HDMI is a high speed data connection not just a single slow data stream like a stereo audio link. The cable has to be up to the specification to do the job. For many purposes the cheapest lead available will be fine, but for longer runs you do need a decent quality one.I bought one for £3 in Lidl. Works absolutely fine.
Also it isn't quite true to say it works or it doesn't. There are three stages - strong enough signal to decode without error, strong enough to mostly decode but with some reliance on error correction code, and not strong enough to decode. If the signal falls into the second category then it is possible that you will get a variable quality picture.
Having said that, you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds on gold plated leads, just one that is reasonably well made.
http://www.analysis-plus.com/prod_videocable.html - make your own mind up if a cable is just a cable because the signal is digital.
Depends what spec it is/what you require of it.
Versions so far are 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, 1.3, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3b1, 1.3c, and the latest spec is now at 1.4
To carry a HD DTS and Dolby true HD signal you will need version 1.3 minimum.
I recently bought a Blu-ray player for the bedroom, and bought a currys essential cable £5.99, this didn't carry the video or audio signal as the version and speed capabilities of the lead was too low.
But a £20 lead from Argos did, because it was a higher spec lead.
So, yes there are differences in cable capabilities but a £20 and £100 cable at the same version will not give much if any noticeable difference.
As said above, if it says it can carry e.g. 1080p, then it will do the job perfectly well regardless of price.
Versions so far are 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, 1.3, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3b1, 1.3c, and the latest spec is now at 1.4
To carry a HD DTS and Dolby true HD signal you will need version 1.3 minimum.
I recently bought a Blu-ray player for the bedroom, and bought a currys essential cable £5.99, this didn't carry the video or audio signal as the version and speed capabilities of the lead was too low.
But a £20 lead from Argos did, because it was a higher spec lead.
So, yes there are differences in cable capabilities but a £20 and £100 cable at the same version will not give much if any noticeable difference.
As said above, if it says it can carry e.g. 1080p, then it will do the job perfectly well regardless of price.
Edited by callyman on Friday 28th January 21:49
y2blade said:
No noticeable difference to the naked eye
the connoisseurs will be along to call me a liar (and I won't care less tbh)
I get my info from a Professional A/V system designer and integrator friend
buy cheap and be smug
Why would anyone call you a liar? As with all sound and vision it is purely subjective. Some people see a difference some don't. The 'it's digital, so it works or it doesn't' argument is cobblers. There will be a difference on a poorer standard cable (notice I didn't say cheaper) but on a short run you probably won't see it. the connoisseurs will be along to call me a liar (and I won't care less tbh) I get my info from a Professional A/V system designer and integrator friend
buy cheap and be smug
davepoth said:
It's digital. If it works, it's perfect quality. If it doesn't, it won't work.
I bought one for £3 in Lidl. Works absolutely fine.
Good luck getting your £3 cable to work in-wall.I bought one for £3 in Lidl. Works absolutely fine.
The moisture from the new plaster will rot the cable and it'll fail.....which will then need to be dug out, replaced then the wall will need replastered and then decorated. So your £3 HDMI cable isn't that cheap after all.
Anybody who says that 'all HDMI cables are the same, they either work or they don't, so just buy the cheapest' is talking absolute b
ks.You might as well say, 'all tyres are black and round, so just buy the cheapest.'
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/long-h...
mp3manager said:
Good luck getting your £3 cable to work in-wall.
The moisture from the new plaster will rot the cable and it'll fail.....which will then need to be dug out, replaced then the wall will need replastered and then decorated. So your £3 HDMI cable isn't that cheap after all.
Anybody who says that 'all HDMI cables are the same, they either work or they don't, so just buy the cheapest' is talking absolute bks.
You might as well say, 'all tyres are black and round, so just buy the cheapest.'
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/long-h...
Run it in conduit which is surely best practice anyway.......The moisture from the new plaster will rot the cable and it'll fail.....which will then need to be dug out, replaced then the wall will need replastered and then decorated. So your £3 HDMI cable isn't that cheap after all.
Anybody who says that 'all HDMI cables are the same, they either work or they don't, so just buy the cheapest' is talking absolute b
ks.You might as well say, 'all tyres are black and round, so just buy the cheapest.'
http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/long-h...
fieldl said:
Run it in conduit which is surely best practice anyway.......
Obviously....but the point is you buy a product that is suited to the job.In this case, HDMI cables that are CL-3 rated for in-wall use, as they will have been constructed and tested with that environment in mind.
I personally use Bettercables.
http://www.tmfsolutions.co.uk/bettercables_highspe...
These are very well made, picture quality is very good and pricing is sensible rather than 
http://www.thatcable.com/
http://www.thatcable.com/
http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg01097/lead-hd...
Ive used them for the past 7 years for in wall use, never had one fail. They are hight speed but no ethernet channel. Work with Blu-Ray 3D perfectly and dont cost you an arm and a leg either.
Ive used them for the past 7 years for in wall use, never had one fail. They are hight speed but no ethernet channel. Work with Blu-Ray 3D perfectly and dont cost you an arm and a leg either.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff