Good quality cheap HDMI Cables - Where should I buy?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Good quality cheap HDMI Cables - Where should I buy?

mattie47

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#29012 19-Dec-2008 12:53

Just got a 40" Samsung that I want to connect my pc up to. Tried my pc on the VGA port but as soon as it would go to boot into windows the TV would say can not support this mode...I did have my pc running from the DVI port to the VGA though (although I don't see how this would matter). Any how so my 9600GT has an HDMI port so I thought I'd buy a cable...Was going to just buy one from the Warehouse for $39 but thought I should check on here first. Also one more question, what exactly are the differences between HDMI, VGA and Component? If I recall HDMI is a digital signal and the others are analouge but in saying this what does that mean? :-) Thanks,

Matt

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sbiddle

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#185130 19-Dec-2008 13:41

With most newer TVs HDMI is the best method. previously many TV's didn't support 1:1 pixel mapping over HDMI so VGA was the better option but now most new sets will give 1:1 pixel mapping with no overscan issues.

DVI/HDMI is fully digital and both VGA and component are analogue signals.

As for a place to buy cables I've heard plenty of good things about www.cablesdirect.co.nz who have good pricing.

The only other thing to be aware of is that to get audio over HDMI from your video card you will need to run a cable from the video card to your PC's motherboard SPDIF pinout. Some cards come with a cable some don't.

gehenna

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#185132 19-Dec-2008 13:49

Don't get sucked into spending lots of money on "top quality" HDMI cables. The cheapest ones on the market are just as good as any of the branded ones. Paying any more than about $25-$40 for 1.5M of cable means you're getting ripped off.

Nety

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#185189 19-Dec-2008 18:17

gehenna: Don't get sucked into spending lots of money on "top quality" HDMI cables. The cheapest ones on the market are just as good as any of the branded ones. Paying any more than about $25-$40 for 1.5M of cable means you're getting ripped off.

Just putting one condition on that statement. Providing we are not talking long lengths. If you are getting to the 10M plus then spending a bit more is warranted.

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maddygp

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#185449 21-Dec-2008 11:00

If you're in Wellington, Atech.co.nz have HDMI cables $25 in-store (got one last week and works fine). Also RapalloAV http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/products.php?cat=27&sub=32 is another place.

cshwone

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#185547 21-Dec-2008 21:28

Try Trademe !

gumdigger

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#185883 24-Dec-2008 06:47

no dont waste your money buying CHEAP cables, always look at cables built before buying it, i wasted a lot of money in cheap cables and found out they are the first to die. just to let you know HDMI cables insides are very sensitive so if you bend or squeeze it your signal will drop.

rapolloAV is a good manufacturer also cables direct have a good range.

but AVOID Cheap Quality

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tchart

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#185903 24-Dec-2008 08:45

gumdigger: i wasted a lot of money in cheap cables and found out they are the first to die.

LOL - what exactly do you do with your cables? I've never ever had an AV cable die on me.

butlerboy

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#185949 24-Dec-2008 11:53

gumdigger: no dont waste your money buying CHEAP cables, always look at cables built before buying it, i wasted a lot of money in cheap cables and found out they are the first to die. just to let you know HDMI cables insides are very sensitive so if you bend or squeeze it your signal will drop.

rapolloAV is a good manufacturer also cables direct have a good range.

but AVOID Cheap Quality

Can't say I agree. I paid $20 for a 2m Hdmi cable from www.dragonpc.co.nz and can't fault the quality. IMHO the pic quality is as good as my brothers 'high quality' monster cable which he got sucked into buying for a criminal amount of money.

gumdigger

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#186022 24-Dec-2008 19:31

you guys are lucky then. i was doing htpc to plasma setup earlier this year and spent weeks trying to get picture on my TV. after weeks i found out it was the cable, i was so angry i put spirit on them and burned them. (wasnt being very nice to the environment).
Then on i decided i will atleast do the basics right.

gehenna

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#186032 24-Dec-2008 21:29

i think the point to note from your experience is that the quality of the cable build is separate from the claims of quality to do with signal processing, etc.

IE digital is digital, the signal will either work or it won't, paying through the roof for "quality" of signal is pointless since the cheap cables provide exactly the same signal quality. BUT, paying for the quality of the cable itself, that is, strength of the rubber and plugs, is a different matter.

I guess the rule would be - if your cable is connected to something which won't be moving around, and isn't jamming up against a wall or something where it could break, then just stick to the cheap ones.

gumdigger

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#186056 25-Dec-2008 10:32

gehenna: i think the point to note from your experience is that the quality of the cable build is separate from the claims of quality to do with signal processing, etc.

IE digital is digital, the signal will either work or it won't, paying through the roof for "quality" of signal is pointless since the cheap cables provide exactly the same signal quality. BUT, paying for the quality of the cable itself, that is, strength of the rubber and plugs, is a different matter.

I guess the rule would be - if your cable is connected to something which won't be moving around, and isn't jamming up against a wall or something where it could break, then just stick to the cheap ones.

Yes i agree 100%

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richms

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#186131 26-Dec-2008 10:59

With the cheap RCA cables, I find that often half of it ends up in the socket when you pull the plug out. Have had no problem in my limited use of cheap hdmi cables with the same thing happening.

Richard rich.ms