joe_pre

HDMI Cable Quality

Hopefully this is the correct forum for this, as it is a cable question. I am going to be getting a Xbox 360 sometime in the future. The elite version comes with a HDMI cable. The premium does not. Now I've seen HDMI cables at various prices from $20-30 up to over $100. So I have a few questions:

1. Is the elite Xbox 360's HDMI cable any good (quality wise)?
2. Is a HDMI cable a HDMI cable or are there varying degrees of quality?
3. Will a cheaper HDMI cable go so far as to give me a worse picture? and a more expensive cable give me a better picture?
4. Suggestions on where to get a HDMI cable, if I need one, of good quality and price?

Basically I'm trying to decide if how much I'm actually saving by getting the Premium Xbox 360 over the Elite, considering I'd have to buy a HDMI cablem anyways. TV is a Sony KDS-60A2000, just for reference.

Thanks! Always been of great help in the past.

ChristopherDAC

Re: HDMI Cable Quality

Depends on the run length. HDMI is a very high-data-rate signal, which makes it more finicky about cables than, say, SPDIF audio ; but with digital cables, quality is reflected in "cliff effect" length. For runs of 3 feet, or probably even out to 12 feet, a HDMI cable is a HDMI cable. For long runs, you need the better types, which are not necessarily much more expensive.

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matto1985

Re: HDMI Cable Quality

Pretty much what Chris said. Shorter runs of HDMI cable are going to offer you the same quality whether the cables cost $5 or $100. Usually with expensive cables, you are just paying for the name. Most people agree that expensive cables like Monster are great cables, but the value does not match the price tag.

Certified HDMI cables have to pass certain criteria in order to be HDMI certified. If it has the HDMI certification it will definitely work fine. I suggest checking out the TendonUSA site. I can't post the link so it's www (dot) TendonUSA (dot) com. Their 1 meter HDMI cables are $5 and they are high quality. Hope you enjoy your HD gaming experience. Don't get lured in by the big brands with bigger price tags.

Jeff Gatie

Re: HDMI Cable Quality

The good thing about this is an HDMI cable either works or it doesn't. Any degradation in the signal is not going to be of the "I saw reduced color fidelity and the aural sensation was diminished by .02 percent" type. It's going to be "Where'd my picture go and what is that screeching noise?"; if the cable works at all. Nobody should be paying $100 for an HDMI cable. It is my opinion that Monster and the like should be indicted for grand larceny for selling a $100 cable for use with a $100 upconverting DVD player.

troy evans

Re: HDMI Cable Quality

I bought a Monster HDMI cable for $85 and latter when I bought either My HD-DVD or Bluray players one of them had a free HDMI cable right in the box. You can't get cheaper than a cable they throw in for free. I run from the player to the tv which is about 3 feet and there is no difference in My eyes of one vs the other. Chris is correct.