HDMI cables & Zinwell Freeview|HD boxes

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sbiddle

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#21225 20-Apr-2008 09:22

Does anybody know what the deal is with included HDMI cables?

I know the DSE branded Zinwell boxes come with a HDMI cable and I've heard that Harvey Norman aren't including cables in their boxes (and their staff are telling customers they need a $139 1m monster HDMI cable to get HDTV and that "a cheap HDMI cable won't work") but I've been told that Zinwell boxes sold at other retailers do have HDMI cables included.

Are Zinwell supplying cables with their boxes and some retailers (such as Harveys) removing these so they can upsell customers or are DSE the only retailer actually including a cable in their own branded boxes?

mentalinc

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#125024 20-Apr-2008 09:35

I so hope you're wrong this is a very poor SKU if it doesn;t include the cable to make it work. might was well make you buy the power cabel for extra as well.

If HN are removing the cable to try and sell the over priced monster crap this is even worse - sounds like Fair Go could get interested in this.

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deliveryguy

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#125029 20-Apr-2008 10:03

None of the Zinwell boxes I have unpacked have included a hdmi cable, they all came with a composite cable,
and for some strange reason 2 component cables (unless the smart prople at freeview believe that component and hdmi are the same).

sbiddle

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#125041 20-Apr-2008 11:11

IMHO that's a very bad move from Freeview. Why sell an approved box that then requires the customer to go and spend extra $$ on a cable just so they can use it?

It's a bit like buying a new car and then being told you have to pay extra for the wheels!

It would be very interesting to know who made this decision. Was pressure put on Freeview by major retailers to not supply a HDMI cable so they could upsell customers to a $149 cable with every box? Not including a HDMI cable in every box that would reastically only be adding around $10 - $15 to the wholesale cost of the box is just a sham.

hazza87

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#125048 20-Apr-2008 12:30

I see the DSE one definetly includes a HDMI cable see here

sbiddle

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#125050 20-Apr-2008 12:46

To be honest it's hard to recommend anybody buying a box from anywhere but DSE. You get the same Zinwell box with an inluded HDMI cable and you're typically paying $50 less than other retailers!

breny

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#125051 20-Apr-2008 12:53

Just as a sideline to this discussion - if you do have to purchase an HDMI cable, don't be ripped off thinking you need an expensive brand i.e. 'Monster' or similar.
The transmission along the cable is digital! There is no signal loss (within a resonable distance) like old school analogue cables.
I took a chance and bought the cheapest 10 metre HDMI cable on trade me for the connection between my video card and LCD TV.
The result has been flawless...

old3eyes

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#125125 20-Apr-2008 18:09

PB Tech here in AuK have 2 meter HDMI cables for about $17..

I wouldn't buy any cable from Monster. Their business ethics are on a par with the RIAA. From what I've heard that they have in the US tried to sue anyone with the work Monster in their name and any new cable statups trying to bully them into paying real or imaginary royalties. The current one try tried to sue, Blue Jeans Cable has fought back and it could be interesting.

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/15/blue-jeans-cable-res.html

http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/blue-jeans-strikes-back

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freitasm

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#125130 20-Apr-2008 18:24

breny: Just as a sideline to this discussion - if you do have to purchase an HDMI cable, don't be ripped off thinking you need an expensive brand i.e. 'Monster' or similar.

The transmission along the cable is digital! There is no signal loss (within a resonable distance) like old school analogue cables.
I took a chance and bought the cheapest 10 metre HDMI cable on trade me for the connection between my video card and LCD TV.
The result has been flawless...

True... I posted about this HDMI Scam here.

Dixm

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#125228 21-Apr-2008 10:25

Hey all - yes the dse boxes have hdmi cables - and it says so on the box even. Got one last week and confirmed this. The zinwell boxes we checked at jb all had 2 component cables.

As a note most computer stores ( compulink, dtc, pb, Computer lounge ) are selling good quality hdmi cables for around $20 for 1.8 meters and a bit more for longer. These are great and work with my system and epson tw1000 1080p without issue at 10 meters cable run.
ok? good.

Torquemada

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#125232 21-Apr-2008 10:41

I was in HN the other day and they were telling me you must go for one of their very pricey monster cables and that the cheaper ones are crap. They told me the ones that HN computers side of the shop sell for with the PS3 are shocking.
So nice to hear that they are not so bad and I don't have to fork out all that extra cash

old3eyes

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#125271 21-Apr-2008 12:33

Dixm: Hey all - yes the dse boxes have hdmi cables - and it says so on the box even. Got one last week and confirmed this. The zinwell boxes we checked at jb all had 2 component cables..

Seems kind of strange as on these Zinwell STB you can't get HD out of component..

Regards,

Old3eyes

sbiddle

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#125300 21-Apr-2008 13:25

old3eyes:
Dixm: Hey all - yes the dse boxes have hdmi cables - and it says so on the box even. Got one last week and confirmed this. The zinwell boxes we checked at jb all had 2 component cables..

Seems kind of strange as on these Zinwell STB you can't get HD out of component..

This is the point I've been trying to make. Most people are buying a Freeview|HD box to get HD content and yet you can't use the box without buying a seperate HDMI cable.

ajst2duk

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#125352 21-Apr-2008 16:06

sbiddle:
old3eyes:
Dixm: Hey all - yes the dse boxes have hdmi cables - and it says so on the box even. Got one last week and confirmed this. The zinwell boxes we checked at jb all had 2 component cables..

Seems kind of strange as on these Zinwell STB you can't get HD out of component..

This is the point I've been trying to make. Most people are buying a Freeview|HD box to get HD content and yet you can't use the box without buying a seperate HDMI cable.

Seems like an error to me - 2X component - no HDMI ??? someone needs to ask the question?

I close my ears now to store salespeople when they try and upscale me on cables & stuff - in my experience, they more often than not don't have a clue, they are just trying to upsell.