HDMI Cables!?

Question

Okay...so im going to buy a new LCD Tv either from Samsung or Sony... and so i went to futureshop to ask for some help and get some info. The guy i talked with said all Blu-Ray players are the same(so im probably going to get a PS3), but the picture quality mainly depends on the quality of the HDMI cable you use to connect the blu-ray player to the TV.

I was wondering...is this true? if so, can you recomend any brand of cables, they have to be available in Toronto, Canada for INSTORE PICK UP....i dont want to buy anything online....

THX A MILLION!

Answer 1

When I bought my HDTV I bought $80 HDMI cables for it with gold connectors and everything that is supposed to be top-end.  I ended up needing another cable and bought a generic one for about $15 at Big Lots around the corner from my house... The only difference I saw was that I had $65 more in my bank account.  Picture quality was exactly the same with both cables.

Answer 2

That's what the salesmen say because the markup and profit margin on HDMI cables are where they make they're money.  The only possible difference in HDMI is they're specification or version - if they're v1.3 - then all v1.3's perform to the same spec.  LONGER HDMI cables need better materials to perform to that same spec, so that's why longer tend to be more expensive.  And no way are all Blu Ray players the same - but they are all overpriced!  I would suggest sticking with DVD and using a much cheaper UPCONVERT DVD Player.  Upconverted DVDs look just as good as Blu Ray - just make sure the player goes all the way up to 1080/24p.

Answer 3

not all blu ray players are the same cuz sony also makes prenium models that cost over $1000. but the basic models like the ps3 are about hte same. the ps3 is best out of these. if u want good hdmi cables get sony or monster brand. but a cheapre brand like belkin loks almost jsut as good.

Answer 4

Doen't waste money on expensive HDMI cables. See the link re a Marketplace article on why.  Basically, there are diffferences, but budget cables will either work perfectly or not work at all. Don't believe any claims that better cables give a better picture ... it's garbage. Better cables may hold up to use better, and may work at longer lengths, but the picture (or sound) won't be any different .... it's digital.

Too bad you won't buy on-line (you would save $ ... see 2nd link) but I've seen OK cables at Wal-Mart,  and even Home Depot for about $30.  Even Future Shop and Best Buy are smartening up and now sell less expensive options than Monster.

EDIT:  Today only (4/7/08) at Future Shop ... a normally $50 HDMI cable for $20.  See 3rd link

Answer 5

"...but the picture quality mainly depends on the quality of the HDMI cable.."

Total BS!

"..all Blu-Ray players are the same.."

More double BS.  Avoid this salesman in the future. (Does he have pizza face and still lives with his mother?)

(sigh)

Look - the PS3 has a lot more horsepower and tends to be the 'gold standard' against which all other BluRay players are compared.  And the PS3 tends to have better video quality except for some of the $1,000+ high end players.  So it's a good choice.

And the HDMI signals are digital so they are very insensitive to the price/quality of the cable.

Hit a computer store. You can usually find off-brands or "Belkin" for a lot cheaper than Monster/RocketDog, etc.

(Why are you afraid of on-line shopping?  Cables are a 50% markup at most retail stores so you are paying more than the next guy.)

Answer 6

It is true that an HDMI cable will give you the best picture on your TV. Yes, it also depends on the quality of the cable. The thicker the cable is, the better the picture will be.