MONSTER HDMI CABLES... Are they really as good as they say? Opinions please..

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › MONSTER HDMI CABLES... Are they really as good as they say? Opinions please..

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#323699 27-Apr-2010 15:18

cgrew: But from what I've seen with my own eyeballs the better cables ran faster

There are no speed issues here, it's all going out from the source at the same rate. Any degredation in signal quality is because it's not getting to the display device with the same arrangement of 0's and 1's as when it set out. This could be due to mechanical issues, such as connectors/oxisidsed electrical surfaces, dodgy wires in the cable etc, or it could be due to external interference not being shielded out sufficiently.

The general belief around here is that you start near the bottom and work your way up through the quality and price bands until you find something that works reliably. A monster cable at $250 IS better than a cheap cable at $5, but a cable at $20 may have worked on your particular setup just as well as the $250 one if you'd tried it.

That's about it really. If the info gets to the display device uncorrupted, then there is no difference if you then shield the cable some more etc.

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#323708 27-Apr-2010 15:30

Jaxson:
cgrew: But from what I've seen with my own eyeballs the better cables ran faster

There are no speed issues here, it's all going out from the source at the same rate. Any degredation in signal quality is because it's not getting to the display device with the same arrangement of 0's and 1's as when it set out. This could be due to mechanical issues, such as connectors/oxisidsed electrical surfaces, dodgy wires in the cable etc, or it could be due to external interference not being shielded out sufficiently.

The general belief around here is that you start near the bottom and work your way up through the quality and price bands until you find something that works reliably. A monster cable at $250 IS better than a cheap cable at $5, but a cable at $20 may have worked on your particular setup just as well as the $250 one if you'd tried it.

That's about it really. If the info gets to the display device uncorrupted, then there is no difference if you then shield the cable some more etc.

That possibly could be the case but why the heck do the speed rate their cables then..

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/field-notes/the-truth-about-monster-cable-266616.php

JAMMAN2110

872 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Trusted

#323709 27-Apr-2010 15:31

cgrew: But from what I've seen with my own eyeballs the better cables ran faster

MAYBE IF YOU USED MONSTER PHONE CABLES YOUR INTERNET WOULD GO FASTER!1!!!

YOU COULD ALSO TRY PAINTING THEM RED AND TURNING ON CAPS LOCK

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#323711 27-Apr-2010 15:31

cgrew: That possibly could be the case but why the heck do the speed rate their cables then..

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/field-notes/the-truth-about-monster-cable-266616.php

I think you figured that one out the moment you spent $100s on a cable!

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2526
Inactive user

#323712 27-Apr-2010 15:33

JAMMAN2110:
cgrew: But from what I've seen with my own eyeballs the better cables ran faster

MAYBE IF YOU USED MONSTER PHONE CABLES YOUR INTERNET WOULD GO FASTER!1!!!

YOU COULD ALSO TRY PAINTING THEM RED AND TURNING ON CAPS LOCK

Here is your answer paint your monster cables red and they will be even faster again

cokemaster

Exited
4937 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1089

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#323713 27-Apr-2010 15:34

Make sure you put Ferrari stickers on them for a 3x speed boost!

webhosting

Loose lips may sink ships - Be smart - Don't post internal/commercially sensitive or confidential information!

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#323718 27-Apr-2010 15:44

bazzer:
cgrew: That possibly could be the case but why the heck do the speed rate their cables then..

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/field-notes/the-truth-about-monster-cable-266616.php

I think you figured that one out the moment you spent $100s on a cable!

What makes you think I spent 100s? After Monster got slammed for overpricing their cables I went out and bought mine for cheap because most mass market retailers reduced the pricing of them.

I don't beleive in all the hype about them 'improving' picture quality but the build quality of them and thickness is outstanding.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#323720 27-Apr-2010 15:48

cgrew: I don't beleive in all the hype about them 'improving' picture quality but the build quality of them and thickness is outstanding.

No doubt build quality is outstanding, but I could care less since they are hidden from view.

cgrew: Basically I have a HDMI cable running from my PS3 to my TV, originally when watching a Blu-Ray movie with the cheap cable it was fine but after upgrading to a new one I noticed that the picture ran alot smoother - it still looked the same, my theory is there is a better data transfer rate with the better HDMI cable.

I have now invested in two M HDMI cables, one going from the PS3 to my HDMI AV receiver and another HDMI cable going from the AV receiver's output to my Bravia LCD. Sliil works better then the cheap HDMI cable I origianlly had.

So what is your theory as to why the picture ran faster with the better cables?

You sure you don't believe the hype?

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#323731 27-Apr-2010 16:07

bazzer:
cgrew: I don't beleive in all the hype about them 'improving' picture quality but the build quality of them and thickness is outstanding.
No doubt build quality is outstanding, but I could care less since they are hidden from view.

cgrew: Basically I have a HDMI cable running from my PS3 to my TV, originally when watching a Blu-Ray movie with the cheap cable it was fine but after upgrading to a new one I noticed that the picture ran alot smoother - it still looked the same, my theory is there is a better data transfer rate with the better HDMI cable.

I have now invested in two M HDMI cables, one going from the PS3 to my HDMI AV receiver and another HDMI cable going from the AV receiver's output to my Bravia LCD. Sliil works better then the cheap HDMI cable I origianlly had.

So what is your theory as to why the picture ran faster with the better cables?
You sure you don't believe the hype?

Yep I'm sure mate but if you want to take the p*** then by all means go ahead. I started this discussion to determine whether or not the cables were any good - not to talk about how much they got talked up. I based my theory on the physics of the cable - just like the thickness of speaker wire with good sheilding versus thin speaker, the thick stuff conducts better.

But hey whatever your into ayyyyy

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#323737 27-Apr-2010 16:12

cgrew:
Yep I'm sure mate but if you want to take the p*** then by all means go ahead. I started this discussion to determine whether or not the cables were any good - not to talk about how much they got talked up. I based my theory on the physics of the cable - just like the thickness of speaker wire with good sheilding versus thin speaker, the thick stuff conducts better.

But hey whatever your into ayyyyy

The difference with speaker wire is that it's analogue. As has been mentioned numerous times HDMI is digital, the signal's either going to get there or it's not and if it doesn't it's very noticable (corruption on the screen). Good shielding on speaker wire makes a difference and I'd happily spend a bit more for decent speaker cable.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#323753 27-Apr-2010 16:39

cgrew: Yep I'm sure mate but if you want to take the p*** then by all means go ahead. I started this discussion to determine whether or not the cables were any good - not to talk about how much they got talked up. I based my theory on the physics of the cable - just like the thickness of speaker wire with good sheilding versus thin speaker, the thick stuff conducts better.

I don't mean to take the p***, but if you think that the thickness of the conductors or the thickness of the sheilding or any of that stuff that makes a monster cable look nice has made the data travel "faster" along your 1m HDMI cable and this somehow makes the picture on your TV "smoother" then you clearly have bought into the hype and don't really understand how these things work. The fact that you're lumping speaker cable with HDMI cable proves that you don't get it.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#323767 27-Apr-2010 16:59

bazzer:
cgrew: Yep I'm sure mate but if you want to take the p*** then by all means go ahead. I started this discussion to determine whether or not the cables were any good - not to talk about how much they got talked up. I based my theory on the physics of the cable - just like the thickness of speaker wire with good sheilding versus thin speaker, the thick stuff conducts better.

I don't mean to take the p***, but if you think that the thickness of the conductors or the thickness of the sheilding or any of that stuff that makes a monster cable look nice has made the data travel "faster" along your 1m HDMI cable and this somehow makes the picture on your TV "smoother" then you clearly have bought into the hype and don't really understand how these things work. The fact that you're lumping speaker cable with HDMI cable proves that you don't get it.

I didn't say it travels faster I simply couldn't understand why the s****y HDMI cable i uses didn't seem as smooth when using the Monster one when watching a Blu-Ray. I know doubt know that is a digital signal - it just puzzled me as to why there was a difference.

And so far the only possiblity is the s**t cable produces a corrupt image compared to the other one, but my reason for mentioning speed earlier was because if the image couldn't get from point A to point B I would of thought there would be some type of distortion in the picture?? Rather then a smoother response when watching a Blu-Ray.

Anyway I'm going to leave it at that and test out the crap cable to see if it is just the cable causing it.

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 159

#323797 27-Apr-2010 17:51

I'm not trying to belittle you, but maybe you turned on the 100hz function on your TV at about the same time you upgraded cables? The 100hz (or 200hz depending on the LCD TV) function makes things smoother. I find it looks sped up to me, YMMV.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#323812 27-Apr-2010 18:36

JAMMAN2110:
cgrew: But from what I've seen with my own eyeballs the better cables ran faster

MAYBE IF YOU USED MONSTER PHONE CABLES YOUR INTERNET WOULD GO FASTER!1!!!

YOU COULD ALSO TRY PAINTING THEM RED AND TURNING ON CAPS LOCK

Monster did used to sell BT to RJ12 cables here in in NZ to improve your dialup internet performance.

(I am totally serious BTW)

rscole86

4999 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 462

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#323814 27-Apr-2010 18:37

Steve, that was some time ago, http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=9721&page_no=1#47927

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7