Brand new 50in plasma, need a good HDMI cable

[gatorboyrules]

So after fooling around on these forums for the last couple hours, I've realized that everyone seems to be pretty big fans of monoprice.com for HDMI cables. I've searched their website, and am probably going to purchase one of their six foot HDMI cables. I had a couple of questions (sorry if this is in the wrong forum) before I actually purchase it, though. From what I've heard, 1.3b certification is better than 1.3a, which is what all the cables are on monoprice. Does anyone have an issue with that, or are they just as good as 1.3b?
Also, I've heard some complaints that the cables might be a little on the stiff side. I have my TV mounted on a flexible wall mount that swivels and extends from the wall 20 inches. Are their cables VERY stiff, as I don't have them running through the wall, just directly down to my equipment and I'm not sure if I should be worried about the stiffness of the cables.
Anyways, thanks in advance to anyone able to help me with this!

 

[ChunkyDark]

From hdmi.org:
"For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality."

I have their Premium 24AWG 6ft cable and was able to run it through a wall (2 90 degree bends) with little problem.
If your really worried just buy the 8 footer to give yourself some more play. Plus as I write this it's 90 cents cheaper

 

[gatorboyrules]

Awesome, thank you ChunkyDark. I bought the 6ft because I was impulsive, but it was only 11 bucks with shipping, so I'm not too worried.

 

[CraigV]

HDMI passes a digital signal, and it either does or doesn’t - spending extra money on a cable is a waste. The cables will have enough flexibility to make your install work. 1.3A B C depends on what your equipment calls for. If your cable/satellite box & BD player only call for 1.3A then that’s all you need.

 

[chas_w]

If you would end up needing more flexibility, Tartan cable has some 28AWG "higher flexibility" cables:

http://www.tartancable.com/hdmi-cables/index.htm

 

[fast1]

Awesome, thank you ChunkyDark. I bought the 6ft because I was impulsive, but it was only 11 bucks with shipping, so I'm not too worried.

he bought one already...

 

[chas_w]

he bought one already...

I realize that...I just presented an alternative if he ended up needing one with greater flexibility than the one he got.

 

[christian]

Let us know how it goes as far as "stiffness". Did you end up going with a 28awg cable? If so that should be plenty flexible. I just bought a 24awg hdmi cable from cabletrain.com and i'm thinking it should be fine for flexibility. If not then i'll just get a 90 degree hdmi adapter.

 

[Afury8]

Just go with Monster! don't they make the best anyway?

 

[Pyrrho]

Just go with Monster! don't they make the best anyway?

You're joking, right? Monster cables are a waste of money.

 

[Alex2507]

Just go with Monster! don't they make the best anyway?

You're joking, right? Monster cables are a waste of money.

I don't think he's kidding based on his prior posts. He is very green though.
Use the search feature and do some reading about Monster.

 

[Afury8]

of course i was joking! just because I don't post a lot does not mean that i don't know what i am talking about. I was just trying to be funny!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I laughed.....

....But then again, I like to bi-wire speakers.....

of course i was joking! just because I don't post a lot does not mean that i don't know what i am talking about. I was just trying to be funny!

 

[ChunkyDark]

I laughed.....

....But then again, I like to bi-wire speakers.....

In my neck of the woods we shoot perverts like you.









/The preceding was a joke and only a joke. No dawgs were actually injured in the making of this post

 

[gatorboyrules]

So I got my cable in today, and it weems to be working great! It's a little stiff, but it's more than worth what I paid for it.

 

[d0rkiishchris]

There are misconceptions about it "either works or doesn't". Long cheap cables tend to be tiny AWG (wire gauges) which does have signal degradation after 10 ft or so. Try to aim for hdmi cable with atleast 22 AWG conductors in it. There was a review on cheap long monoprice cables that horribly failed hdmi tests. (I'm talking like 18ft+) Monoprice will fail long runs at 1080p, and especially 1440p for that matter. If you're running 25+ ft you'll need to spend a butt load. Any 6ft cable is probably going to work just fine.

 

[valvesnvinylfan]

re: HDMI cables

I've had really good results with the Belden manufactured Blue Jeans cable HDMI cables if anyone's interested. They're not much money and do the job well. They also have a great piece on their site about why all HDMI cables should be the same, but due to manufacturing tolerances, wire gauges, etc. most HDMI cables are unfortunately sub par. I'd post a link but I guess I'm too new on here still.

Anyways hope this was useful!

Oliver Amnuayphol
Home Theater/Audio Guru
Aperion Audio

 

[zhimbo]

s a review on cheap long monoprice cables that horribly failed hdmi tests.

Link? The only such results I've seen, Monoprice did really well at 25 feet:

MY LINK