[Dan Mertz]

I need to get some Component Video and Digital Optical Audio cables. Do different brands matter that much? Is there much difference between GE, RCA, or Monster?

[ChrisWiggles]

Radio shack works fine. Don't spend too much, monster can be overpriced.

Beyond this, if the setup demands it, then canare/belden pro cables are the way to go, from bluejeans.com, heartlandcable etc etc

[Dan Mertz]

I'm the kind of person who likes to save a few bucks when I can, but if it makes a huge difference in audio/video quality, then I'm willing to spend a little more. I just notice that Monster cables are "THX Certified" and I don't know if that makes a difference.

As for Radio Shack, I usually avoid them because I think they are over-priced. Last time I bought cables I got them at Wal Mart for half the price that Radio Shack tried to charge me. However, I don't know if the quality of the Radio Shack cables were better than the ones I got at Wal Mart.

[ChrisWiggles]

thx certified cabling... i still try to tell myself that that's a joke...

Radio shack makes quality basic cables, for cheaper than the monster usually. If you want higher quality, the next real step is the pro stuff as i mentioned. Chances are the wal mart stuff you speak of was really cheap.

For instance something like this is PLENTY good for most applications:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=15%2D1072

Below this is the gold series which should also suffice fine.

[Chu Gai]

Well it's not like your DVD player is pushing gigahertz frequencies. Regular old DVD is a little under 7 mHz and even 720 on HDTV is around 36 mHz. A general rule of thumb, is that to avoid degradation use 3x (some like 4x...so that's fine) the bandwidth and you'll be fine.

Well if you consider this site for example, you'll see that you can get a 6 footer for a bit under $9 that has 140x more bandwidth than needed for regular DVD and about 28x more than if you were running "as good as it gets". If you buy from them, might as well add a 2 meter toslink for $11. Need a little 'surge protector' to hook all your stuff into (including your cable)? $20 and you're in.

Just one of many places on the web where ya doesn't have to spend a lot of money and still buy products that exceed the requirements of your equipment.

[Brian.S]

BTW, if you DO want to get the Monster brand, CompUSA just started selling them and at a good price also. I got my 8ft THX Certified Component video(1Ghz bandwidth) for $30!*sorry not allowed to post URL's) That's even cheaper than the Gold RadioShack stuff. They also have a 8ft THX Cert Optical Toslink for $25! Great price. But the others are right also alot of cables are overpriced, I wouldn't go buy the insanely expensive "ULTRA" cables they sell it is outragious.

-Brian

[Chu Gai]

Now if we could only find out what that certification meant!

[Jack Briggs]

Here's how to use the Basics area:

If you have a question concerning what the differences between various types of cables and connections are, then post in Basics. But if you have a question regarding which brands of cables to buy, then post here in the appropriate area.

Basics is for asking about, as the name would suggest, the basics of home theater and home audio.

[Bryan_K]

STAY AWAY FROM MONSTER!!! As long as they are shielded, gold plated connector's & are ? gage (thick) :-)
You'll do fine. The expensive brands might have things that "hypothetically" make your connection better, but you probably wont see/hear the difference. Waist your money if you want, but im all about bang for the buck.


Three-four years ago when i got into this crazy hobby. i got suckerd into $70 monster component cables.

when i learned from groups like this that it is unnecessary to buy expensive cables, it was to late to return them.

[Dan Mertz]

I'm a newbie so I'm not sure what a "Toslink" is. Is it the same as a Digital Optical Audio cable?

[JohnMW]

Dan, you are correct.

[Iver]

Quote:

I just notice that Monster cables are "THX Certified" and I don't know if that makes a difference

To put this in very basic terms, it is silly to use THX rating for cables (interconnects and speaker wire).

THX involves two major factors.

First, for a product to get the rating it has to meet certain minimum, measurable performance standards. If an amplifier or receiver meets these basics (such as S/N ratio and distortion for an amp, selectivity and sensitivity for a tuner) it qualifies for one of the THX ratings which I believe include "Select," "THX" (standard), and "Ultra."

Second, the manufacturer must pay a fee to the THX organization. Nothing wrong with that, BTW, THX has to pay the bills just like everybody else. As long as the measurements and certification are kept separate from the fee paying, there will not even be an appearance of any funny biz.

This is why, as people have pointed out here, a $700 Kenwood A/V receiver has the THX seal while you might not find it on a $3,000 pre-pro that can run circles around the Kenwood. Kenwood is willing to pony up the cash in exchange for the expected boost in perceived quality of their product. A highly respected pre-pro maker doesn't really need to convince anybody of their quality level.

The reason THX is an odd mix with cables is that they do not directly affect those performance levels, unless an inappropriate type of cable were used. But as long as you're comparing apples to apples, two cables of the proper type for whatever job they are assigned, any cable will allow the amp, or whatever component under scrutiny by the THX folks, to perform as well as possible and thus have a fair chance of meeting the THX specs.

All else being equal, you will probably pay more for a cable with the THX certification as the cable manufacturer has paid the THX organization for the testing and stamp of approval and those costs will likely be passed along to you, the cable purchaser.