Free HDMI Cables

[davring]

Took the sister in law to purchase two (yes two) new HDTV's this weekend. One Sony 1080p DLP and a Sony 720P LCD, anyway the salesman gave her two new H20 tuners. Packed in the boxes were HDMI cables! She allready has HD service with an H20. The boxes are marked with a round yellow sticker labeled HDMI. Wish I would have been so lucky with my HR20. (which works very reliably)

HR20, native on, caller ID(sometimes), OTA antenna
Sony 40V2500 1080P LCD
Samsung Tivo
R15
6X8 multi
Slim line dish

[PoitNarf]

Yep, some have received HDMI cables in their HR20 or H20 boxes but it doesn't seem to be consistent at all.

[Supervolcano]

It's a shame that some installers steal the cables from your box before they give it to you. My HR20 came in a factory sealed box with a set of component, hdmi, s-video, and composite cables.

[litzdog911]

DirecTV's policy is that installers are supposed to provide you with an HDMI cable if your system can use one.

[djousma]

There was HDMI cable included in the box with my HR20.

[finaldiet]

It's a shame that some installers steal the cables from your box before they give it to you. My HR20 came in a factory sealed box with a set of component, hdmi, s-video, and composite cables.

Had 2 HR20's installed this week. Had all cables with it. Installer left dish on ground and left dish post on roof next to new one. I didn't watch outside as it was cold and snow was deep. Think I should call installer? It was DTV installer.

[HarleyD]

Here's some perspective on HDMI cables, and why I think they should be included in the box just like any other cable the unit supports should be.

I just bought my new Panasonic TH-58PX60U 58" plasma TV. On the same order I purchased an accessory "bundle", mainly to get the extended warranty, calibration DVD and screen cleaning kit, but the bundle also included a component video cable, stereo audio cable and an HDMI cable. The HDMI cable's listed price was normally $69.99. Well the individual prices of the items I actually wanted added up to the price of the bundle so in my mind the cables were essentially "free" and it's a good thing they were.

You see, at the same time I had ordered the TV and accessories I ordered two 6', 28AWG HDMI cables from monoprice.com for $5.30 each and some 3' TOSLINK Optical Digital cables for $2.27 each.

When I received everything from both orders the $69.99 HDMI cable was IDENTICAL to the $5.30 HDMI cables. Not similar...identical. Right down to the stock number on the sticker on the bag. They were all exactly the same cable, apparently manufactured by the same manufacturer with a price difference of nearly $65!

So if monoprice can supply the cable for just over 5 bucks D* surely can toss it in the box with the unit.

We've all just been brainwashed into thinking these cables are soooo expensive that we accept it as fact.

[Jhon69]

Went into WalMart the other day they're selling Phillips 6'HDMI Gold Plated cable for around $30.

[Staszek]

I have to look if they included it with mine, I already had the HDMI cable setup off the back of my AVR before they got there never even looked to see if they provided me with one.

[ansky]

Which connection is better for the HR20, HDMI or component? I remember reading somewhere that people were actually getting a better picture with the component connection.

[Supervolcano]

Which connection is better for the HR20, HDMI or component? I remember reading somewhere that people were actually getting a better picture with the component connection.
As for picture quality, most claim there is little to no difference.

Component connection (what I use) CURRENTLY seems to be more stable/reliable on the HR20 than the hdmi output which many people seem to be complaining about.

[cantfish2much]

I now have three HR-20s purchased over the last two and a half months. Two I bought myself and one came with the D* bundle with the 5LNB dish. All had RCA, Component and HDMI cables in the box. If you're getting the HR-20 installed by a D* installer and you don't get all of these cables, they are walking off with them!

[mganga]

no HDMI in my BestBuy bought HR-20. Salesmen try to sell you ridiculous $100 cables. bought $10 HDMI cable on E-bay. works great.

[Bluto17]

I bought an HR20 at Best Buy in the Milwaukee area last weekend - an HDMI was included. The salesman was surprised when I opened up the box and showed it to him - he had tried to sell me an HDMI cable.

[JeffBowser]

Whole lotta snake-oil being sold in those expensive cables. For short runs, you could run naked lampwire and it would be just fine. That signal doesn't care if the dielectric is nitrogen or if your connector is plated in gold (unless you are in the military, or your house is on the edge of the ocean with open windows)

[bigpuma]

I figured my installer ran off with the HDMI cable. I didn't notice until he left and my TV at the time only had component. Luckily I still had the HDMI cable that was included with my HR10 2 years ago.