HDMI to DVI cable...do I need gold plated?

[benbaked]

I want to hook my PC into my TV via the HDMI port and I went to BB where they wanted $60! for a six-foot HDMI-DVI cable! That seemed like a rip-off to me, I can't justify paying $60 for a cable that probably costs no more then $5 to make (I know the markup on cables is HUGE).

There is a local PC shop in my town that sells six-foot HDMI-DVI cables for $10, but apparently these do not have gold-plated connectors (I haven't confirmed this for certain, I'm going to check today). They also sell ones with gold plated connectors for $25 I believe.

Does it really matter to get the more expensive cable with gold-plated connectors? Right now I'm using a basic VGA d-sub cable from PC into the TV and it looks fine, what kind of improvement can I expect going into the HDMI?

Thanks.

[Adragontattoo]

Just get it from Monoprice.

Even the gold cable is like 10 bucks at most.

BB is NOTORIOUS for markups.

[JamesXP]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2661&seq=1&format=2



Gold plated, ferrite cored.


4$

[benbaked]

Awesome, less then $8 shipped. Well done guys, thank you!

[nd4spdbh2]

Just get it from Monoprice.

Even the gold cable is like 10 bucks at most.

BB is NOTORIOUS for markups.

LOL SERIOUSLY... a while back frys was having a sale on hdmi cables, it was a 10ft cable with gold plated connectors for 5.77 so i jumped on one. I also the same day went over to BB and the cheapest 10ft hdmi cable was like 60 bucks... some were even 120 bucks, who the HELL would EVER pay those type of prices.

[Mr.Guvernment]

i beleive the advantage to gold plating is it wont errode easily, but it also doesnt allow current through it as good as standard cables, so gold platting is more marketing and purdy looks.

[JDXNC]

some were even 120 bucks, who the HELL would EVER pay those type of prices.

The same people that keep Monster Cable in business.

Gold plating has more of an effect on analog signals, where a slight difference in frequency can make a big difference. With HDMI, the signal is digital, and the 1's and 0's are either there or not, nothing in between.

[Mpegger]

Gold has better conductivity, as well as it doesnt corrode (oxidize). Ever look at a aluminum connection after its been sitting around for a few years of no use?

Either way, the markup for something that is gold plated sould be close to nill (ok ok, maybe a buck or two more).

[nightelph]

Ok, heres a question: My Mom's boyfriend asked me about hdmi cables that BB sells. I told him to go to monoprice.. The song BB was singing him was that he needed a cable that had the bandwidth to work properly with his new 120hz lcd tv. Whaddayasay?

[Mpegger]

Higher bandwidth usually requires better insulation to prevent crosstalk between lines. Either way, you can still find a cable at monoprice that will fit the bill.

[nd4spdbh2]

Ok, heres a question: My Mom's boyfriend asked me about hdmi cables that BB sells. I told him to go to monoprice.. The song BB was singing him was that he needed a cable that had the bandwidth to work properly with his new 120hz lcd tv. Whaddayasay?

theres a new hdmi standard 1.3 that allots for more bandwidth... but it is ABSOLUTLY NOT EVEN CLOSE to being necessary... NO tv on the market will accept a 120hz signal, even though the tv might be a 120hz tv it essientally makes up frames inbetween 2 real ones (i have a samsung LN-T5271F and it has 120hz... its alright but every tv i have seen with 120hz, including my own, does a HORRIBLE job at interpolating - making up - frames)

In other words its like cat 5 and cat 6 cable... same connectors same cable just a higher standard, the only reason you would need a hdmi 1.3 specd cable is when you need to do a LONG run 25+ ft and are running at 1080 120hz... other than that dont buy into special 120hz cables...

And really gold plating is just there so connections dont corrode (hence the reason why the pads/pins on a cpu /ram /gfx card.... are all gold.

[nightelph]

Thanks. I knew no lcd monitors really ran above 60hz as opposed to a crt.

[ratbuddy]

Certainly gouging.. Buy from monoprice, and for fun, read this: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,121777-page,1/article.html

[benbaked]

That's some good prices at monoprice.com. $15 total shipped for an HDMI-DVI cable and straight HDMI cable, both six-footers Plus they say they shipped it out same day, good stuff.

[Jeepson33s]

There is some info for you here...its pretty good and will save you some dough!!

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-268788.php

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/the-truth-about-monster-cable-+-grand-finale-part-iii-282725.php