HDMI cables: is there really a difference between the $40 at KMart and the $300 Monster?

Question

I realize in side by side tests with the best of the best there might be a noticeable difference between an expensive Monster cable and a cheaper cable. But for the average home installation, is there really a need to pay that much more?

For what it's worth, I have a 32" Samsung LCD (720p, 7000:1 contrast ratio) . I don't currently have any equipment that used an HDMI cable, but I ordered a Samsung Upconvert DVD player which can use HDMI or Component.

Answer 1

if your not a professional HI Fi then you will never know the difference, they are just charging you for the quality of metals they are using and the manufaturing and the name...if you had a 200k system then id say go with it but since it seems that you dont then dont even worry about it.....so the answer is yes they do make a difference but its ever so slight you will never know...

Answer 2

Here is what you need to know.

The need for high quality HDMI will depend largely on the application.

If you are connecting an upconverting DVD player to the TV directly the low grade cable is fine. This is likely to be a short run (HDMI looses signal strength faster that other cables) you are only transmitting a 720p image at best (this is the native resolution of the TV so no need to go higher.)

As you start adding Distance, Connections or signal you will need to get better cables. Here is what I mean.

If you are transmitting a 1080P image instead of a 720P you need greater data transfer speed because the bitrate is faster.

If you add uncompressed audio like Dolby TrueHD or dts-HD you need even more speed.

Throw in other things like X.V. Color, Bonus View on Blu-Ray, 120Hz refresh rates (yes I know that it happens in the TVs but that may change) and now you need a pretty darn good cable.

Put a receiver in the signal path (Blu-Ray to Receiver to TV) and the quality of the cables becomes more important.

Stick the cable in the wall to a flat panel TV and you had better have a good HDMI cable.

Cable over 10', 15', 25' 50'? You will need progressively better cables.

All of these things add up.

So, no you don't need a high quality cable for what you are using it for right now. But if you trade up or add components you may.

Answer 3

Build Quality will be different.  But picture quality will be the same.  The $300 Monster, the $40 K-Mart, and even the $3 Monoprice.

Answer 4

Cable performance is highly subjective and will be fomented by small timers trying to steer you their way. I suggest that since most places have a guarantee or return policy that you try them out and judge for yourself.

Answer 5

I have a 32" Samsung hooked up to my 360 and surround sound.  I'm using $5 HDMI cables, looks great.

Answer 6

The high priced one is going to be a lot better quality but if you don't really care about that high of quality I wouldn't waste your money.

Answer 7

The signal on carried over HDMI is digital. This digital data is transmitted in differential mode which is less prone to picking up noise as there are two conductors carrying the signal.

I personally dont think for digital signals it makes any difference at all. You dont even have to buy the cable from KMart for $40. You can buy it from sites like eHDMI.com for 5-6 bucks. I have been using the cable and am extremely happy with it.

Only thing you have to be careful about is getting the cable based on the distance as the cheaper cables cannot carry signals very far. You could use cable with 28 AWG conductors for upto 10' but you will need 24 to 26 AWG for 50' and so on.

Answer 8

The quick answer is no.

Since HDMI is a digital format, all the signals are sent digitally and they are either received or not.  If you cable length is very long (like 50ft) then you'd need something a little better to carry the signal that far.  And in a side by side comparison it should be the same.  Do not buy the $300 cables.

check out monoprice.com for inexpensive cables too.

Read the article I linked to.

Answer 9

I would not even get the $40 kmart ones, monoprice.com has much cheaper ones and you still wont notice the differance