HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray?

Beretta · 31-07-2008, 08:16

As there seem to be a hundred and one different HDMI cables out there all made by manufacturers claiming to be the best, what have other forum members used, and with what results, good or bad?

I have always been a fan of QED and IXOS products, has anyone used either of these brands for HDMI?

These are required for HD television and Blu-Ray plus upscale, and not PS3.

Goochie · 31-07-2008, 09:10

Dont bother spending a fortune on a cable. HD is a digital signal and as such, it'll get there or it wont' there is no "in-between"

This has been confirmed in recent tests (including The Gadget Show) where side-by-side comparrisons show no difference between the most expensive and the not-quite-the-cheapest.

SCVRS · 31-07-2008, 10:15

i bought mine from Play.com for about £10. Its about 2.5 metres long feels really good quality and the picture is great. I have tried a £65 one in the same tv with no visible or audible difference. I think if your tv is about 100" + you might see a difference or if you have a MEGA sound set up! But for most a £10 lead will be absolutely perfect.

samuir1974 · 31-07-2008, 10:35

I agree. I work in the AV industry. You should not have to spend loads on ur cables. The most important bit to look at though is the connector at either end. Sometimes they can be a bit loose fitting and fall out when lightly pulled at. I'm not talking fancy gold plated blah, blah blah - simply - how tight the fitment is and ensures a good ground point.

The only other thing to beware of, is if you are using a cable longer than say 5m; this is when impedance matching and transmission line effects will be more prominent and odd effects can happen and affect the eye patterns in the HDMI signalling.

Thus far though - i use the $1.50 leads we ship in our products and never had an issue < 2 metres.

Hope this helps.

Beretta · 31-07-2008, 16:20

Thanks to all for the replies, and if only "ER" indoors would sanction a 100" screen....LOL

In the past when using scarts, I have always used IXOS products and there is a marked difference, but will give the cheaper HDMI's a go as the maximum size I need is only the one metre ones, and then if not satisied will try the dearer ones.
Thanks again.

DaveI · 31-07-2008, 17:50

i've got two of these:

Play.com (UK) : Linx 1.2m Luxury 24k Gold Plated HDMI Cable : Electronics - Free Delivery

Spot on picture, good quality cable and the connectors are a good, tight fit.

**mannyo** · 31-07-2008, 18:29

Because HDMI is digital there is no signal degridation(IE you either get a picture or you don't). All HDMI cables have to conform to the same standard, my cheapo cable that came with the SkyHD box gives the same picture than the mistakenly purchased more expensive Belkin cable I used to use with the HTPC. If you are going for a longer length (5M plus) then a more expensive cable may help guard against data loss though.

Terry G · 31-07-2008, 19:01

True 'digital is digital' but you can get difference in spec on HDMI cables... Cheap ones probably won't perform to V1.3 (which is the output performance capability of a PS3 for example).

V1.3 will have a greater colour range (several trillion colours as opposed to 256,000 on the cheap ones) and also from a future compatibility viewpoint the V1.3 will also cope with HD upto 1440P (which will come sooner or later)

If it were me, I would buy a decent ish brand with V1.3, but not spend silly money.

**mannyo** · 31-07-2008, 19:12

HDMI is digital, the number of colours is irrelevent and all cables are already HDMI 1.3 compliant, even the cheap ones. Over on avsforums (us version of avforums) they did a comparison on a 50" plasma TV being fed with bluray and nobody could tell the difference. Same thing using a HD projector, nobody could tell.

bengie · 31-07-2008, 21:17

hdmi v1.3 is the item not the cable

the same as you get a usb cable rather than a usb 1.0/1.1/1.2/2.0 etc etc

digital is digital so buy em cheap

Lady Elanore · 31-07-2008, 21:25

Another vote for reasonably priced cables here. I wouldn’t necessarily buy the cheapest though, as the mechanical integrity of these items may not be brilliant. Dry joints and bad pressings etc. but the idea of spending huge sums on short lengths of HDMI is a false one imho. I work in broadcasting and I have seen many things that show that solid dilithium crystal latticed kryptonite coated pixi dust sprinkled cables are not necessary at all. I agree for longer lengths a decent cable will probably be better.

WaveyDavey · 31-07-2008, 21:26

I got the following from www.hdmi.org

Q. What is the difference between a “Standard” HDMI cable and a “High-Speed” HDMI cable?
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.

Standard (or “category 1”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 75Mhz, which is the equivalent of a 1080i signal.
High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).

Cheers

Dave.

gadgetman · 31-07-2008, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goochie

Dont bother spending a fortune on a cable. HD is a digital signal and as such, it'll get there or it wont' there is no "in-between"

This has been confirmed in recent tests (including The Gadget Show) where side-by-side comparrisons show no difference between the most expensive and the not-quite-the-cheapest.

They even said good old coax was just as good, and in their tests using the same tv, settings etc, no one could tell any diff.

fatty5000 · 04-08-2008, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaveyDavey

I got the following from www.hdmi.org

Q. What is the difference between a “Standard” HDMI cable and a “High-Speed” HDMI cable?
Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables.

Standard (or “category 1”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 75Mhz, which is the equivalent of a 1080i signal.
High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600).

Cheers

Dave.

So how do we know which is which when we buy ???

red-devil · 04-08-2008, 19:54

I just get mine free from work and never had any issues with them but if i did would just get another one

31-07-2008, 08:16	#1
Beretta SMOGUS MAXIMUS Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 2,638 Members Car: Was a modded Octy vRS that now lives with TrevorB33. Current car is Toyota Auris SR180 Images: 3 Thanks: 50 Thanked 75 Times in 72 Posts	HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? As there seem to be a hundred and one different HDMI cables out there all made by manufacturers claiming to be the best, what have other forum members used, and with what results, good or bad? I have always been a fan of QED and IXOS products, has anyone used either of these brands for HDMI? These are required for HD television and Blu-Ray plus upscale, and not PS3. __________________ Skoda performance was "IMPOSSIBLE", now its Japanese and 177 bhp and 295 lb ft torque of SMOG. Gerry "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"

31-07-2008, 09:10	#2
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? Dont bother spending a fortune on a cable. HD is a digital signal and as such, it'll get there or it wont' there is no "in-between" This has been confirmed in recent tests (including The Gadget Show) where side-by-side comparrisons show no difference between the most expensive and the not-quite-the-cheapest.

31-07-2008, 10:15	#3
SCVRS Legend!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 541 Members Car: 53 reg Octavia Vrs & 57 reg Octavia Vrs 170pd TDi Thanks: 42 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? i bought mine from Play.com for about £10. Its about 2.5 metres long feels really good quality and the picture is great. I have tried a £65 one in the same tv with no visible or audible difference. I think if your tv is about 100" + you might see a difference or if you have a MEGA sound set up! But for most a £10 lead will be absolutely perfect. __________________ Silver Mk1 Octavia vRS with Green Panel Filter & Silver Mk2 Octavia vRS TDi pd170 with Green Panel Filter Playstation 3 network id : SCVRS (feel free to add me)

31-07-2008, 10:35	#4
samuir1974 Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Baildon, West Yorkshire Posts: 136 Members Car: Race Blue MkII Octavia vRS, Cruise, Xenon, Maxi, Light Assist, Jumbo Pack, Heated Seats. Thanks: 28 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? I agree. I work in the AV industry. You should not have to spend loads on ur cables. The most important bit to look at though is the connector at either end. Sometimes they can be a bit loose fitting and fall out when lightly pulled at. I'm not talking fancy gold plated blah, blah blah - simply - how tight the fitment is and ensures a good ground point. The only other thing to beware of, is if you are using a cable longer than say 5m; this is when impedance matching and transmission line effects will be more prominent and odd effects can happen and affect the eye patterns in the HDMI signalling. Thus far though - i use the $1.50 leads we ship in our products and never had an issue < 2 metres. Hope this helps. __________________ 2008 Race Blue vRS 2.0 TFSI, Xenons+Philips Vision bulbs, Park Assist Front+Rear, MaxiDot, Cruise Control, Jumbo Box, Auto Rain Wipers & Light Assist, Heated seats, 18" Alloys, OEM Integrated Bluetooth, Pipercross Air Filter, Chrome climate+light dial surrounds+climate OFF mod, Briskoda stickers, Midnight Rear Tints, VRS-reg. Engineers know that million to one shots happen 9 times out of 10!!!!

31-07-2008, 16:20	#5
Beretta SMOGUS MAXIMUS Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 2,638 Members Car: Was a modded Octy vRS that now lives with TrevorB33. Current car is Toyota Auris SR180 Images: 3 Thanks: 50 Thanked 75 Times in 72 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? Thanks to all for the replies, and if only "ER" indoors would sanction a 100" screen....LOL In the past when using scarts, I have always used IXOS products and there is a marked difference, but will give the cheaper HDMI's a go as the maximum size I need is only the one metre ones, and then if not satisied will try the dearer ones. Thanks again. __________________ Skoda performance was "IMPOSSIBLE", now its Japanese and 177 bhp and 295 lb ft torque of SMOG. Gerry "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE"

31-07-2008, 17:50	#6
DaveI Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North East Posts: 1,054 Members Car: Seat Leon FR TDi Thanks: 52 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? i've got two of these: Play.com (UK) : Linx 1.2m Luxury 24k Gold Plated HDMI Cable : Electronics - Free Delivery Spot on picture, good quality cable and the connectors are a good, tight fit. __________________ 2007 Seat Leon FR TDi 170 Bluetooth / Convenience Pack / 18s / Rear Parking Sensors / Front Centre Arm Rest / Passenger Airbag Disconnect / Free Dealer Mats / Brodit Mount + Brodit Tom Tom One Active Holder Used to have an A5 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi Elegance Combi and Missing somewhere comfy to rest my right arm!

31-07-2008, 18:29	#7
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,478 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 362 Times in 333 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? Because HDMI is digital there is no signal degridation(IE you either get a picture or you don't). All HDMI cables have to conform to the same standard, my cheapo cable that came with the SkyHD box gives the same picture than the mistakenly purchased more expensive Belkin cable I used to use with the HTPC. If you are going for a longer length (5M plus) then a more expensive cable may help guard against data loss though. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

31-07-2008, 19:01	#8
Terry G Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fareham Posts: 372 Members Car: Octy vRS Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? True 'digital is digital' but you can get difference in spec on HDMI cables... Cheap ones probably won't perform to V1.3 (which is the output performance capability of a PS3 for example). V1.3 will have a greater colour range (several trillion colours as opposed to 256,000 on the cheap ones) and also from a future compatibility viewpoint the V1.3 will also cope with HD upto 1440P (which will come sooner or later) If it were me, I would buy a decent ish brand with V1.3, but not spend silly money. __________________ You be chillin'

31-07-2008, 19:12	#9
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,478 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 362 Times in 333 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? HDMI is digital, the number of colours is irrelevent and all cables are already HDMI 1.3 compliant, even the cheap ones. Over on avsforums (us version of avforums) they did a comparison on a 50" plasma TV being fed with bluray and nobody could tell the difference. Same thing using a HD projector, nobody could tell. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

31-07-2008, 21:17	#10
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,257 Members Car: 4x4 turbo estate Thanks: 17 Thanked 144 Times in 125 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? hdmi v1.3 is the item not the cable the same as you get a usb cable rather than a usb 1.0/1.1/1.2/2.0 etc etc digital is digital so buy em cheap __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

31-07-2008, 21:25	#11
Lady Elanore Geordie Lass Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: in the ceiling watching you..... Posts: 11,147 Members Car: BMW 1 series Thanks: 221 Thanked 231 Times in 140 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? Another vote for reasonably priced cables here. I wouldn’t necessarily buy the cheapest though, as the mechanical integrity of these items may not be brilliant. Dry joints and bad pressings etc. but the idea of spending huge sums on short lengths of HDMI is a false one imho. I work in broadcasting and I have seen many things that show that solid dilithium crystal latticed kryptonite coated pixi dust sprinkled cables are not necessary at all. I agree for longer lengths a decent cable will probably be better. __________________ . Amanda - All's fair in Love and Car

31-07-2008, 21:26	#12
WaveyDavey Hiya Vic!!! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire Posts: 2,318 Members Car: 2006 Fabia vRS & 2005 Fabia vRS. Images: 9 Thanks: 116 Thanked 95 Times in 91 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? I got the following from www.hdmi.org Q. What is the difference between a “Standard” HDMI cable and a “High-Speed” HDMI cable? Recently, HDMI Licensing, LLC announced that cables would be tested as Standard or High-Speed cables. Standard (or “category 1”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 75Mhz, which is the equivalent of a 1080i signal. High Speed (or “category 2”) cables have been tested to perform at speeds of 340Mhz, which is the highest bandwidth currently available over an HDMI cable and can successfully handle 1080p signals including those at increased color depths and/or increased refresh rates. High-Speed cables are also able to accommodate higher resolution displays, such as WQXGA cinema monitors (resolution of 2560 x 1600). Cheers Dave. __________________ 2006 'Black Magic' Fabia vRS... With a few little EXTRAS

04-08-2008, 19:54	#15
red-devil Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 582 Members Car: Thanks: 21 Thanked 36 Times in 35 Posts	Re: HDMI cables for HD & Blu-Ray? I just get mine free from work and never had any issues with them but if i did would just get another one __________________ Never put off until tomorrow,what you can do today...unless you simply can't be arsed!!

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