HDMI cables

mjock3 · « **on:** 10 Oct 2014, 10:49 pm »

Wondering if HDMI cables are like audio cables? Are there any significant differences in video quality with different cables? If so what type of money needs to be spent to make it worthwhile? Finally any recommendations?

Thanks,
Mark

Phil A · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Oct 2014, 02:02 am »

Quote from: mjock3 on 10 Oct 2014, 10:49 pm

Wondering if HDMI cables are like audio cables? Are there any significant differences in video quality with different cables? If so what type of money needs to be spent to make it worthwhile? Finally any recommendations?

Thanks,
Mark

I've tried a bunch and it is my opinion that for short lengths (7 feet or under), I have not seen differences in video quality. For longer lengths (e.g. 40-50 ft), a better quality cable certainly can show itself. There's some good info here - http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/hdmi-cable-information.htm?hdmidept

mjock3 · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 02:34 pm »

Thanks for your feedback Phil. I must admit I thought there would be more to be said in this area. I must admit I was on Blue Jeans site and bought one of their cables for short runs. Didn't look at that article they had. Interesting read.

I hooked up the cable and ran some streaming from NetFlix and thought things were a bit sharper. Thing that I did not like was darks got darker. So if you had scenes that were darker you could not see what was happening.

Disclaimer: I am not into video so my eye is not trained. Would love to hear from those who have trained eyes.

Phil A · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 03:25 pm »

Quote from: mjock3 on 13 Oct 2014, 02:34 pm

Thanks for your feedback Phil. I must admit I thought there would be more to be said in this area. I must admit I was on Blue Jeans site and bought one of their cables for short runs. Didn't look at that article they had. Interesting read.

I hooked up the cable and ran some streaming from NetFlix and thought things were a bit sharper. Thing that I did not like was darks got darker. So if you had scenes that were darker you could not see what was happening.

Disclaimer: I am not into video so my eye is not trained. Would love to hear from those who have trained eyes.

I have Blue Jeans best bonded cables for the 50 footer between the projector in the main system and had a slightly shorter one (30+ ft) in the old place for the secondary basement projector as well. I have a bunch of their shorter ones as well as Monoprice premium one ones, ones that came with Oppo players and others. Never noticed much difference on those under 8 feet between the several I had around

jonbee · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 04:14 pm »

I've just gone through testing several 2 meter cables. I was using Monoprice $3 cables on my top line Panny plasma, which seemed good. I switched to Wireworld Starlight 6 and there was a definite improvement, but nothing I would call huge. Colors are more saturated, and edges of objects were a little bit smoother, more "film" like. Streaming Netflix audio to my NAD M51 DAC using the WW HDMI cable did offer a small increase in sound quality, similar to going from a good $100 IC to, say, a good $200 IC. Still not huge, but noticeable.
At about $200 each retail, I would not say the improvement from the WW HDMIs would be worth it to me (and I'm an audiophile, not a videophile, but used to shelling out $500 for ICs), but I bought them used at a very large discount.
I also tried Apollo AV "Lightning" a $50 list cable that is on closeout for around $15. It was also better than the Monoprice, and very close to the Wireworld. I recommend them highly for the price. If you want to try a better HDMI to see if you get results, this is a good safe one to try for the $.
http://www.apolloa-v.com/75-off-original-retail-apollo-av-lightning-hdmi-silver-plated-ofc-v1-4-high-speed-with-ethernet/

mjock3 · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 06:13 pm »

Quote from: Phil A on 13 Oct 2014, 03:25 pm

I have Blue Jeans best bonded cables for the 50 footer between the projector in the main system and had a slightly shorter one (30+ ft) in the old place for the secondary basement projector as well. I have a bunch of their shorter ones as well as Monoprice premium one ones, ones that came with Oppo players and others. Never noticed much difference on those under 8 feet between the several I had around

I had figured you had done your homework. I just thought I had seen some differences. Much in the Jonbee describes. A little more color a bit better edges. Not bad at a Blue Jeans price.

mjock3 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 06:14 pm »

Jonbee,

Thanks for your input and for the link. That is a nice price.

RDavidson · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 06:43 pm »

Quote from: mjock3 on 13 Oct 2014, 02:34 pm

Thanks for your feedback Phil. I must admit I thought there would be more to be said in this area. I must admit I was on Blue Jeans site and bought one of their cables for short runs. Didn't look at that article they had. Interesting read.

I hooked up the cable and ran some streaming from NetFlix and thought things were a bit sharper. Thing that I did not like was darks got darker. So if you had scenes that were darker you could not see what was happening.

Disclaimer: I am not into video so my eye is not trained. Would love to hear from those who have trained eyes.

That your darks got darker is actually a good thing. You got a bump in contrast apparently, which is where you get picture depth. What likely happened when you switched to the better cable was some of your darks got "crushed" (actual term for lack of definition in shades of darkness). All you need to do is recalibrate the contrast and picture brightness. You'll likely see more definition in the darks once you've recalibrated with the better performing cable.

mjock3 · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Oct 2014, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: RDavidson on 13 Oct 2014, 06:43 pm

That your darks got darker is actually a good thing. You got a bump in contrast apparently, which is where you get picture depth. What likely happened when you switched to the better cable was some of your darks got "crushed" (actual term for lack of definition in shades of darkness). All you need to do is recalibrate the contrast and picture brightness. You'll likely see more definition in the darks once you've recalibrated with the better performing cable.

Thanks, I was wondering about whether or not I needed to try to recalibrate. My wife is more of the video person in this house. Though we do share the audio hobby.