HDMI Cables..........?

[speakerman39]

Guys, I want to buy some new hdmi cables that are v1.3a compliant. I been looking at the Dayton cables over at PartXpress, but the real long lengths are the only ones that claim to be 1.3a compliant. Thus, I will only need (3) hdmi cables total. Two of which must be at least 2' feet long and the other 3'-4' long. Of course, I don't want to have to take out a second mortgage on my home in order to finance some real expensive cables. I also plan to buy (2) new sub cables that are at least 20' feet long. Really don't want them any longer than that. Lastly, I will need a new optical cable of at least 3'-4' feet. Is there any advantage to using a glass optical cable? I don't mind to pay a bit more for cabling, but they need to be affordable. Care to help?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Adam]

Phil,

This almost feels like a pop quiz.

Monoprice carries 1.3a rated cables in the lengths that you are wanting. For example, here's a three-foot cable for about $7.

For an optical cable with the length that you want, I'd get this one for under $5 from Monoprice. Pretty sweet looking, IMO.

EDIT: Forgot about the sub cables. Nothing like premium 25-foot cables for $6 apiece.

 

[jostenmeat]

+1 ^

I am a bonafide Monoprice fanboy. Among the numerous cables I've bought from there, one includes a 35 ft HDMI, not even 1.3 spec'd, but 1.1.

Pic is amazing, no complaints. I wouldn't know any better, but I'm never going to spend a red cent more, I can tell you that.


The optical cables are indeed the beefiest I've ever seen. I do wish they would lock a bit tighter.

The HDMI cables can seem so thick at times, it actually can be a bit of a hassle!

They make the beefiest cables I've seen. Even their speaker wire has thicker insulation than typical.

 

[speakerman39]

Phil,

This almost feels like a pop quiz.

Monoprice carries 1.3a rated cables in the lengths that you are wanting. For example, here's a three-foot cable for about $7.

For an optical cable with the length that you want, I'd get this one for under $5 from Monoprice. Pretty sweet looking, IMO.

EDIT: Forgot about the sub cables. Nothing like premium 25-foot cables for $6 apiece.

Thanks Adam as I have bought from monoprice before. The sub cables are just like cable or RG6 and I was looking for something a bit better. The RG6 is hard to work with. Other than that, I agree monoprice is a great place to get cabling from. Thanks for your suggestions.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Bluejeans would also get my recommendation for HDMI. There are a number of flavors and pricing is good as well, though on the cheaper end they aren't going to be in the sub $10 range. I have bought other items at Monoprice and I don't have any complaints about them either.

 

[speakerman39]

+1 ^

I am a bonafide Monoprice fanboy. Among the numerous cables I've bought from there, one includes a 35 ft HDMI, not even 1.3 spec'd, but 1.1.

Pic is amazing, no complaints. I wouldn't know any better, but I'm never going to spend a red cent more, I can tell you that.


The optical cables are indeed the beefiest I've ever seen. I do wish they would lock a bit tighter.

The HDMI cables can seem so thick at times, it actually can be a bit of a hassle!

They make the beefiest cables I've seen. Even their speaker wire has thicker insulation than typical.

Thanks jost for posting. Can you explain to me what is the difference in the specs. How is v1.3a different than say v1.1 or v1.3b? Still confused here.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Theoretically there isn't really a difference in the cables - all HDMI cables should work in place of one another. AFAIK, the difference being they have been tested to work with 1.3a etc...

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks jost for posting. Can you explain to me what is the difference in the specs. How is v1.3a different than say v1.1 or v1.3b? Still confused here.

Cheers,

Phil

Sure thing, Phil.

As for the actual cables, the difference between ratings are for bandwidth. That doesn't mean that a 1.1 can't pass as well as the 1.3 cable. I forget the exact numbers, but 1.3 is about double the "rated" bandwidth.

However, at 3ft, 4ft, heck 10ft, its not going to matter. Not for a very, very long time in any case, and if we are still alive, then we can worry about it then.

Here's a very cool AH test:
Cable Testing Results

Please note that the Monoprice 6ft passed every single test, of the five, listed below. The best part? List price of $9.52. BTW, the last test, IIRC, is a hypothetical test for "future-proofing". I think Clint mighta said something this will show up in video gaming first, if ever . . . ?

720p/1080i 8-bit
742.5 Mbit/s
2.23 Gbit/s*

1080p 8-bit
1.65 Gbit/s
4.95 Gbit/s*

1080p 12-bit DC
2.23 Gbit/s
6.49 Gbit/s*

Max HDMI
3.4 Gbit/s
10.2 Gbit/s*

1080p 8-bit 120Hz HDMI
4.98 Gbit/s

edit: link is fixed.

 

[Adam]

The sub cables are just like cable or RG6 and I was looking for something a bit better. The RG6 is hard to work with.

Ahh, gotcha.

Well, if you've got the cash, the Better Cables subwoofer cables that SVS carries are very flexible. I have one of the 5m cables.

 

[Adam]

BTW, I can't believe that I missed this opportunity to recommend Monster® cable.

Seriously, though, I do have a Monster® subwoofer cable that I bought back in 1998 that is well made and very flexible. Just pricey. I think that they are less expensive now.

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks guys for all of your suggestions. I will look at some of the alternatives. I have my new Denon 2808, but will wait till my Panny BD35 comes in to re-do my ht room. Have a very week coming up so it may be next weekend before it will be fully operational. Once again, I appreciate all of your helps guys. Kudos to all of you!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[zumbo]

bjc

My equipment wears blue jeans.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm

 

[speakerman39]

My equipment wears blue jeans.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/index.htm

Yeah, I am looking into what all they have to offer. Thanks for the link.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jamie2112]

Phil, as you know www.monoprice.com and www.bestdealcables.com are my favorites. Best deal has some great cables and they are right on par with Bluejeans but just a wee bit cheaper..

 

[speakerman39]

Phil, as you know www.monoprice.com and www.bestdealcables.com are my favorites. Best deal has some great cables and they are right on par with Bluejeans but just a wee bit cheaper..

Thanks a bunch Jamie. I will check them all out. Thanks for the links. Hope all is well my friend.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[bandphan]

Ahh, gotcha.

Well, if you've got the cash, the Better Cables subwoofer cables that SVS carries are very flexible. I have one of the 5m cables.

Rg59 cables are flexiable and good for runs under 30'. I prefer to make my own There are some locking proprietary hdmi cables comming to market if needed.

 

[Midcow2]

Very good.. but expensive cables

Seakerman,

If you want better quality than Monoprice or BlueJeansCables you can go with Pear cable. http://www.pearcable.com/

However, remember that a more expensive cable does not always provide better audio and video because you cannot defeat the laws of physics when it comes to electrons.

So what do you get with more expensive cables (1) better quality materials in sehathing and structure, (2) better dielectric and shielding and (3) better connectors: silver plated, gold plated= slightly better conductivity.

Here is one article on high end audio cables :
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/innerworkings/2205/inner-workings-inside-a-high-end-audio-cable.html

Here is another vendor that claims to have the "World's Absolute Finest Cable' tm:
http://www.jpslabs.com/speakercable.shtml


Having said all that, I usually buy monoprice cables.


Good Luck,

MidCow2

 

[jamie2112]

Wow those are some snake oil companies. 8000 for a speaker cable. I thought we have gone over this like.......31/2 million times......

 

[Davemcc]

I have that optical cable Adam linked. It is a neat looking little thing, plus it's very flexible and easy to work with. Plus plus, I think it would be hard to break the glass fibre with the braiding around it. No issues with performance, as you would expect.

One thing I have found with Monoprice cable is that they can be a bit inflexible, especially the component RCA cable I'm using. Every time I plug it in or move the equipment, I think I'm going to break the RCA socket off the receiver. The HDMI cables are not near that rigid. They are easy to work with.

 

[speakerman39]

Seakerman,

If you want better quality than Monoprice or BlueJeansCables you can go with Pear cable. http://www.pearcable.com/

However, remember that a more expensive cable does not always provide better audio and video because you cannot defeat the laws of physics when it comes to electrons.

So what do you get with more expensive cables (1) better quality materials in sehathing and structure, (2) better dielectric and shielding and (3) better connectors: silver plated, gold plated= slightly better conductivity.

Here is one article on high end audio cables :
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/innerworkings/2205/inner-workings-inside-a-high-end-audio-cable.html

Here is another vendor that claims to have the "World's Absolute Finest Cable' tm:
http://www.jpslabs.com/speakercable.shtml


Having said all that, I usually buy monoprice cables.


Good Luck,

MidCow2

Thanks a bunch Mid. I also appreciate the links as well as the info. As such, I will keep all of this in mind.

Cheers,

Phil