HDMI cables

[mmkerc]

Definately off topics of Macs but does anyone know if there is a difference in HDMI cables? From web surfing I know there are three type A, B , C with A being the most common. But within Typa A is there a difference?

Reason for the question is a buddy just got a 32 LCD TV, and I was helping him hook up everything and we needed a HDMI cable. At Best Buy it was $80 for a 6ft cable, but a Lowes, a four foot cable was $19. Is there a difference or just BBtrying to maximize profits?

[legaltocarry]

Hi! This article may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

My experience with cables in general is that the expensive ones don't often produce any better results than the cheap ones. I paid 80 bucks for a 25 ft cat5 ethernet cable before I started buying 50 ft ones for 3-4 bucks. Tom

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

[Mikef]

I haven't played with HDXX cables much but I certainly found a difference with cheapo/quality VGA cables. Considering the bandwidth they have to carry I'd stay away from the cheapo ones as it's not only how well they transmit the signal from A to B, it's also about how much the cables radiate and hence interfere with other equipment. As always bear in mind the law of 'diminishing return' and so stay away from the really expensive cables.

On a slightly related topic, have you noticed the comments floating about regarding Apple's implementation of Intel's HDCP scheme. This has apparently prevented a number of the newer Mac's driving external displays/projectors.

[mmkerc]

The wikipedia article was one that I read, but to be honest I the detail description was a wee bit over me head to understand other then the general concepts. I think it is like Mikef said (paraphasing) don't get the cheapest, but don't get the most expensive.

Regarding Intel's HDCP scheme I have not seen or heard anything about it or Apple's switch to the mini display port. Frankly I would expected to see more discussion/issue about that, the high gloss screens, and lack of firewire on the new Macbooks. Its werid all I have seen so far is positive to very positive reviews. I would think that at least the firewire issue would have people screaming. Most (80%) of my external devices are firewire (and that includes the mouse and keyboard).

[mrcqm]

Originally Posted by mmkerc

Its werid all I have seen so far is positive to very positive reviews. I would think that at least the firewire issue would have people screaming. Most (80%) of my external devices are firewire (and that includes the mouse and keyboard).

I believe this places you squarely in the Macbook Pro market. I believe the normal Macbooks are going to be successfully marketed mostly to people who don't require a lot of external devices. Also, while most of the external devices I own are firewire as well, most of the devices available for purchase at my local Best Buy are usb based.

The only real problem I have with the move to having no firewire is regarding serviceability. Not being able to use target mode seems like a huge problem. Hopefully Apple will allow target mode to work via USB somehow.

Back to the original question from this thread, for any type of cable there are going to be companies who make bad quality cables and sell them at a bargain, others who make over-the-top quality cables and sell them at a premium, and many many companies who will make cables that are perfectly good cables sold at a reasonable price for a commodity item. I wouldn't necessarily go looking online for the cheapest possible cables nor would I look in places like flea markets for them. I would also not fall for some marketing gimmick and buy gold plated hdmi cables (that's probably not a joke; I'm guessing the $80 ones you saw probably do have gold plated connectors).

Buy the cheap ones and try them. They're at a reputable store so you can always return them if they simply don't work. You'll also know immediately whether or not they're decent.