HDMI for dummies (me)

[Blue]

I'm not familiar with cables. At all. I know I've been told that HDMI is the best that I could get for my HDTV (47") but that doesn't really mean much to me. Right now, my PS3 is hooked up with component cables. I'm curious as to whether or not, now that I have the money to, I should pick up an HDMI cable.

Will I notice a huge jump in quality? I mean, right now, I think my blu ray movies look pretty darn good on my set but if it's going to be a significant difference, I wouldn't mind picking one up.

So what would you all recommend? is HDMI worth it at all? I've researched but a lot of what I've read doesn't help me as I don't speak that language all that well. Thanks for any input.

[resikel]

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

It cost a little bit more than a large frappaccino.

[Blue]

Oh jeez. Half of the HDMI cables I've seen were in the $60 and up range.

[Fubl]

its called that theres a monopoly on public info on cables. Why would a store carry a cable they can't markup 10,000% vs a cable that is realisticlly priced...

[Wombat]

Seriously, don't believe any crap someone in a store will tell you. YOU DO NOT NEED A $100 DOLLAR HDMI CABLE. Or even a $20 one. Monoprice.com is just fine.

[resikel]

Oh jeez. Half of the HDMI cables I've seen were in the $60 and up range.

Then look at the other half.

[Wackman3000]

Blue, order from Monoprice.com, then just head to Best Buy and buy what you need from them. Once the order gets to your place, take the cable back to Best Buy and get your money back.

DO NOT pay the near 1000x markup that these stores charge for cables. It's a scam.

[Blue]

Yeah, this absolutely shows my ignorance in the subject. I really appreciate all of the info! So, then, should I just order this: link (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024007&p_id=3949&seq=1&format=1#largeimage) and be done with it? Because that would be amazing.

[Krispy]

You won't notice a significant difference, but there will be one. For example, if you play Mass Effect with component cables, the loading screen with the mass effect relay has pretty muted stars. Plug in an HDMI cable and those stars instantly jump out. This is because analog signals have phase issues (Physics 3C coming back to haunt you!) and the signal begins to get deconstructive interference with larger resolutions. With an HDMI cable you get a nice clean signal.

[n3rdXcore]

I agree, go with Monoprice.com. And, sort of related/sort of not, check out this Consumerist post (http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coat-hangers-sound-as-good-monster-cables) regarding cable ripoffs.

[Blue]

Awesome, thanks everyone. Got a cable for just shy of 7 bucks including shipping. You all saved me a my ignorance a good $50+. Means I can now potentially afford Left 4 Dead :).

And thanks n3rd, I'll check out that article.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I spent $25 bucks on an HDMI cable at Walmart today because I simply didn't want to wait for an online order to get to me.

So gorgeous though.

[Wackman3000]

Right now I'm just using a DVI cable with DVI>HDMI adapters on the end to hook up my ps3 to the HDTV. For some reason, it's passing audio as well, which I didn't expect.

[Blue]

I picked up this (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024007&p_id=3871&seq=1&format=2) so I'm hoping I didn't botch what I need too terribly. Looked at the PS3 and my television and that seemed correct. If not, I'm only out a few bucks so that's not too bad at all.

Unfortunately, now I'm probably not going to watch what I got for the holidays until this comes in.

[AniAko]

I spent $25 bucks on an HDMI cable at Walmart today because I simply didn't want to wait for an online order to get to me.

So gorgeous though.

That's the exception, but if you head to Circuit City for Best Buy, they'll only carry the $80 HDMI cable, and the monster brand is typically twice that. (I don't condone the purchase of monster cables, just used in the comparison) There's an A/V forum I used to do research back in the day on, can't remember what it's called off the top of my head.

Plainly put, places that specialize or offer what they consider high end A/V equipment such as tweeter make money off of the cables only. There is some thought to be put into wire quality, but the 3ft of copper in the $80 cable is the same as the 3ft of copper in the $7

[Karak]

I feel sorry for some of you guys and the ripoffs. Luckily the stores here sell HDMI for about 20.00. I mean some are as high as 100.00 if you go to Best Bitch or something. But anything else is pretty decent. I found the best price at target. HDMI for uber cheap there.

[biosc1]

Reminds me of a guy I know who works at Future Shop here locally. My gf's mother bought a blu-ray player for her husband and bought an $80 1 metre HDMI cable...he told her to bring the cable back and he could get it for $15, which is his price for working there....cost + 10%.

[Stmfuller]

you all are suckers I can get mine at cost.
lol
yeah, cables and accessories are the highest marked up items in the industry. if you buy a cable from anywhere but a monoprice-type-place, you're paying at min. a 20% markup.

[KingGorilla]

Oh jeez. Half of the HDMI cables I've seen were in the $60 and up range.

Has the internet taught you nothing, my young apprentice?

You won't see a real difference over HDMI in Games. The difference comes in movies as a DVD cannot be upscaled to HD without a HDCP compliant player, cable, and television. If you have a 1080p television there are only a few sets supporting that resolution over component, and they are some of the first sets made.

The short answer: HDMI is the current industry standard.