trparky
Bite My Shiny Metal Ass
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-24
Cleveland, OH
clubs:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to Hazy Arc
Re: Monster HDMI cables worth it?
I have a Monster PowerCenter myself for my system but then again, the power in my house is horrible.
Why do I think my power in my house is horrible? Simple, my APC UPS systems that I have on my computers say so. Every so often they whine about the voltage being too low or too high. I've been trying to get my power company to come out here and look at the transformer on the poll out back.
And before you think about wiring, my father rewired all of the wire in the house and brought it up to code, probably better than code specifies and still, voltage jumps all over the place. Especially when the air conditioner or the furnace fan is on.
So for me, since my electrical power is horrible... I think having the Monster PowerCenter is a good idea. But if you have good, clean power... you may not need it.
--
Tom |
|
Hazy Arc
join:2006-04-10
Greenwood, SC
 ·Embarq
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
 ·Northland Cable Te..
 ·Dish Network
| reply to a101
That's interesting...I haven't shopped at Firefold in a few months, but when I did, their prices were generally lower than Monoprice. They do have a 5% price match guarantee, however: »www.firefold.com/lowpriceguarantee.aspx |
|
a101
@cox.net
| reply to Hazy Arc
At first glance, that may seem to be true, but if you make sure that you're comparing equivalent products, you may find that monoprice really is less expensive. A 6ft 28AWG HDMI cable runs $5.46 at monoprice, while the equivalent cable at Firefold runs $6.99. If you don't pay close attention, you might be comparing a monoprice 24AWG cable against a 28AWG Firefold cable. The monoprice 6ft CL2 (in wall rated) 24AWG cable comes in at $9.52. Similarly, a 15ft 28AWG (not recommended) Firefold HDMI cable costs $9.99, while the equivalent Monoprice cable (not recommended) goes for $6.00. I wouldn't recommend either of those, but if you insist on 28AWG, those are the prices. At 15ft length, it is quite difficult to build a cable with 28AWG wire, as maintaining performance becomes difficult using 28AWG at longer lengths. Even at longer lengths where both companies have switched to 24AWG, we see a 25ft Firefold HDMI cable at $26.99 up against a 25ft CL2 rated Monoprice cable at $25.24. The Firefold 25ft cable doesn't say if it's CL2 rated or not.
Perhaps Firefold has cheaper shipping?
O.O.
|
|
Hazy Arc
join:2006-04-10
Greenwood, SC | reply to mab631
Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but Firefold (»firefold.com/Categories/HDMI-Products.aspx) generally has better prices than Monoprice. |
|
JTC
Always Mount A Scratch Monkey
join:2002-01-09
USA
·Comcast Workplace
·Integra Telecom
| reply to tipstir
I just love marketdroids...
said by tipstir  :# HDCP compliant This is like me selling CAT5 as Y2k compliant.
I'd love to see a web page or video that shows that non-HDCP compliant cables do exist. 
--
All hardware sucks, all software sucks, some just suck more than others |
|
tipstir
join:2004-11-14
Enfield, CT
·Cox HSI
| reply to mab631
I had ordered 3 HDMI that are HDCP, 1.3 compliant off Amazon dirt cheap I'll see how they go. I really don't want to spend so much on HDMI. I also order DVI-to-DVI for PC video to PC Monitor. Again dirt cheap. Some good deals online. There is another Philips one top of the line looks like this..
Philips PXT series (meaning Pro series) $25 bucks
# 24 carot gold-plated connector
# Oxygen-free copper conductor
# Shielding made with 100% aluminum and copper braiding
# HDCP compliant |
|
smackfreek
join:2000-11-24
Rutland, MA
·Charter Pipeline
| reply to Siko
I got the same one,three actually for under $15 . I returned the 2 from walmart and the one to target and save like 75 bucks turns out I only really needed 1 because when I got my HD box from charter they gave me one with it.
--
~gone are the days we stopped to decide~ |
|
tipstir
join:2004-11-14
Enfield, CT
·Cox HSI
4 edits |  reply to mab631
I own RCA, ge ultra (target) monster, Philips (wal-mart), some radio shack knock off. Then you can buy monster at any Odd-Lot Stores now in the discounted electronic section dirt cheap. There are some brands that seems to work as most. Amazon has some really check HDMI going on, still I never had problems with the Philips 24K Gold Plated ones sold at Wal-Mart.
Phillips HDMI
# 24k gold-plated corrosion resistant connectors
# Conductor Copper
# Insulation Aluminum braided shielding
Cost $18, some store have it double in price, shame on Wal-mart to let that go on..
Higher End Philips HDMI
* Copper reinforced aluminum braided shielding
* 24k gold-plated corrosion resistant connectors for optimum performance
Find this on Amazon for $27 with free shipping but still is it worth the extra $10 for it? Does the basic one for $18 will it be enough. I say yeah! I use that since 2006 no problems!
Heck even Staples, Office Depot and Office Max carries HDTV and sells the cheap HDMI for them too.
They all have 24K gold plated, EMI/EMF/PVC jacket cover to protect the wires, bla, bla, bla.
Monster cost more as they're marketed as high end cables, and should you spend $80 on HDMI 6" 2m. I say that's crazy! |
|
bassjunky
join:2005-05-12
Aubrey, TX | reply to cowboyro
LOL, Those reviews for the Denon link cable are great. What is that, just a regular cat5 or cat6 cable? |
|
a101
@cox.net
 from:
jmikeh
| reply to mab631
See:
»gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-b···8788.php |
|
Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to Alcohol
said by Alcohol :I had best buy geek squad come to my house for a consultation as i'm getting my tv mounted on the fireplace. They convinced me to buy the expensive monster HDMI cables but after reading this thread i'll be going to return them today. That sounds an awful lot like upselling to me. Push the more expensive audio/video cables just to earn a higher commission.
--
"The trouble with computers, of course, is that they are very sophisticated idiots." - Doctor Who (from Robot)
|
|
asjamias
join:2003-11-20
Memphis, TN
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to Mchart
whether monoprice or monster, at long cable runs, both may or may not need a repeater of some sort even when both comply to the current 1.3 standards...they are the same cable...
And simply because I have tried a 15' Monster cable and a 15' Monoprice cable both certified to 1.3 and both doesn't have a difference in quality. The only thing different from them is the price. I purchased all my 15' run HDMI, Component and S-video Cables from monoprice and they work fine for a fraction of the cost. |
|
Mchart
Super Joe
join:2004-01-21
Gurnee, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to asjamias
said by asjamias :said by Mchart :If monster does sell longer length HDMI cables, they may in fact be worth it. (As cheaper cables of that length may not deliver the desired bandwidth, or work at all) For most people though, if it's to be used in digital applications - Buy the cheapest thing you can get. can you explain these? HDMI cables are all the same whether short or long...so how does Monster 15 ft. cable differ with a Monoprice 15 ft. long cable also? Considering both are 1.3 certified to standards... Because the more distance, and crappier quality wiring means the more of a chance the receiving device will be unable to remain on clock. Obviously, if the wire is made out of higher quality metals, has higher quality shielding, and lower resistance connectors - The farther the signalling will travel over the wire.
This is of course why I said that short monster cables have no benefit, but why ultra-long monster cables may indeed -work- when compared to equivelant length crap cables. |
|
tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA
| reply to asjamias
Difference is .. Monster cables cost more.
There are however differences when you get to longer run cables as compared to short length cables. Not necessarily related to the brand name.
I.E. I have a 35' HDMI cable going to one of my TV's. The gauge of the wire used is heavier, to help prevent signal loss over long runs, than in shorter 6' and 10' HDMI cables. And if you are planning to run the cables through the wall you should use a cable with an in wall rating. |
|
asjamias
join:2003-11-20
Memphis, TN
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | reply to Mchart
said by Mchart :If monster does sell longer length HDMI cables, they may in fact be worth it. (As cheaper cables of that length may not deliver the desired bandwidth, or work at all) For most people though, if it's to be used in digital applications - Buy the cheapest thing you can get. can you explain these? HDMI cables are all the same whether short or long...so how does Monster 15 ft. cable differ with a Monoprice 15 ft. long cable also? Considering both are 1.3 certified to standards... |
|
dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to Warzau
said by Warzau :Okay the only time I buy monster cables is when they are on closeout and are for 3 dollars or so. Or on par with other no name brands. in other words you don't buy them 
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
|
Warzau
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
clubs: | reply to Siko
Okay the only time I buy monster cables is when they are on closeout and are for 3 dollars or so. Or on par with other no name brands. |
|
Siko
Premium
join:2006-11-27
Mechanicsburg, PA
clubs: | reply to Mchart
I got the $1.06 Hdmi cable off amazon with $3.99 shipping and that wire is the same as the $49.99 one I got at circuit city. |
|
Mchart
Super Joe
join:2004-01-21
Gurnee, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | reply to mab631
I would just like to add to this thread.
While it is an obvious fact that the Monster brand cables that are for digital applications will not produce better picture quality - The DC voltage will travel a longer distance on higher quality cables. So while shorter monster cables are definatly not worth it - If monster does sell longer length HDMI cables, they may in fact be worth it. (As cheaper cables of that length may not deliver the desired bandwidth, or work at all)
For most people though, if it's to be used in digital applications - Buy the cheapest thing you can get.
--
THIS IS SPENCER. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - I HAVE JOE. RETURNING TO BASE. |
|
IllIlIlllIll
EliteData
Premium
join:2003-07-06
Lindenhurst, NY | reply to mab631
said by mab631 :... Are the $100 monster cables worth it ? No |
|
