Shopping for HDMI cables: who do retailers think they're kidding? Our price list insi

[cnmsales]

This is one of those things that's been stewing in my head for a while, and once I saw this post about the same topic on digg I felt like I had to say something. Everyone is talking about HDMI with the release of the PS3, and it's worth talking about; many people don't know that much about the cables or the connections. Heck, I've talked to people who don't realize that their PS3 will look better if they upgrade their composite cables that come with the system. I'm not going to try to break down the entire issue of cabling because it's a broad one, but if you're looking to buy an HDMI cable, just pay attention to the fact that there are stores that will rob you and others that won't.

Complete Article: http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/2/19/7116

ADMIN EDIT: Post shortened. Please do not post copyrighted articles in their entirety. Thanks.

[mitchelljd]

for my money, I like the $20 HDMI cables with gold plugs sold by apple.com or in apple stores.

Great quality and price.

most of these cables are way to expensive. on the upside, hdmi cables are awesome, they relieve the need for 5+ cables. ie component + 2 audio.

[thedonn]

WHen I first got my HDTV in Dec 05 I found monster cable and never looked back. Ive got 2 HDMI only and 1 HDMI to DVI and none of them cost over 20 bucks. The 3 foot ones were probably more like 12 bucks. The simple fact is when you're talking about digital signals, a 12 buck cable is not gonna give you any less signal quality than a 60-100 dollar cable. And so my PS3 looks great and my friends that bought a ps3 for their HDTVs also took my advice and checked with monoprice. I even made a few bucks off of helping them save some money.

[dcairns]

It pays to shop around. Like you, I could not find anything in my local storesf for less than $40 ! So I got my HDMI cable from MonoPrice.com $5.84 for a 6 foot cable. They are not that far away from me, so I got them the day after I placed the order :D

[Chris Blount]

The whole HDMI cable thing is ridiculous. It definitely pays to shop around. There are plenty of E-Bay dealers that sell HDMI cables at excellent prices. I get mine at Projection Depot (http://stores.ebay.com/Projection-Depot_HDMI-TO-HDMI-CABLES_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ4QQftidZ2QQtZkm). High quality 25' cables can be had for about $40. Shorter ones are $25 and up.

I was in Best Buy the other day looking at the PS3 accessories and their HDMI cable for the PS3 was $100!!! Absolutely stupid.

[Chris Blount]

It pays to shop around. Like you, I could not find anything in my local storesf for less than $40 ! So I got my HDMI cable from MonoPrice.com $5.84 for a 6 foot cable. They are not that far away from me, so I got them the day after I placed the order :DBeware though, cheap cables can be problematic. I had trouble with a very cheap HDMI cable I picked up for 10 bucks. The shielding was bad and the connectors were somewhat flimsy. I had to throw it away in favor of a better cable because the video had sparkles in it when viewing 1080i material.

[joed32]

I bet it wasn't from Monoprice.

[dmspen]

Monoprice cables are terrific! I bought an HD TV from Circuit City and got an upscale DVD player ($89). The salesman tried to sell me a 12ft Monster HDMI cable for the DVD player - $125!

Panasonic UPscale DVD Player - $89
Monster 12 ft HDMI cable - $125
Monoprice - Priceless!

[purtman]

Lowe's also had some cables at a pretty good price.

[Nick]

...The salesman tried to sell me a 12ft Monster HDMI cable for the DVD player - $125!:thats: !rolling :rolling: :rotfl: :hurah: :lol:

:nono2:

[HarleyD]

When I purchased my Panasonic Plasma TV, I purchased an accessory bundle primarily to get the extended warranty and surge suppressor/power filter. Some cables came with it including a 6' HDMI cable that they sold separately for $69.

When I received it, it was identical to the HDMI cables I purchased from Monoprice for under 6 bucks...right down to the inventory number sticker onn the ziplock bag it came it. It was impoossible to tell them apart.

I got 2 HDMI cables with Priority Mail shipping from Monoprice for about $16. I got them in 2 days. I've had similar experiences ordering Toslink Optical Digital cables from them as well. I swear by these folks.

[eapeas]

Why anyone would go with anything/anyone other than monoprice.com is beyond me.

[harsh]

Why anyone would go with anything/anyone other than monoprice.com is beyond me.There is an "elite" group of consumers that buy based solely on name brand. These people have green riding lawn mowers, televisions with a "diamond" logo, and large appliances available only at Sears.

[Ken Massingale]

There is an "elite" group of consumers that buy based solely on name brand. These people have green riding lawn mowers, televisions with a "diamond" logo, and large appliances available only at Sears.
We have those types in the woodworking world also, ToolSnobs. Beautiful huge shops filled with top line power tools, exotic woods and not a spec of sawdust to be found.
Funny thing is, they hardly ever show pics of their projects, and when they do, you know, they don't look any better than other folks work done with lower priced tools.