Buying an HDMI Cable

[gottimd]

So I am in the process of buying a flat screen TV to replace my last tube TV left in our home. I am looking for a 32 inch TV and was wondering if anyone knew where the best place/price/quality to buy one from? I currently have a 32 inch Toshiba ($499) with the Fire dog service and mount to install ($200)since I am inept and not handy. Seems like a good deal to me, are there any better out there? I have done some comparison shopping and that is all I can find unless I buy a low quality company flat screen TV.

Anyways, it is asking me about the HDMI cable. Circuit City says to buy the 500 HDMI Monster Cable but it costs an extra $75. When I search on Ebay, it looks like I can get a 1000 HDMI Monster Cable for cheaper than that, but I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing because I have no idea about the numbers on HDMI and what they stand for. I am assuming that the higher number (1000) is better, so why shouldn't I buy the 1000 HDMI cable on ebay for 50-75% less than what circuit city is selling for the 500 HDMI?

[Kodos]

Being completely serious here -- just buy a $2 HDMI cable off of Amazon. Anything more is a ripoff.

Amazon.com: HDMI Cable 2M (6 Feet): Electronics

It'll cost more to ship it than the cord itself costs. But it works just the same as the "fancy" versions that Best Buy/Circuit City/etc. will try to sell you.

[LionsFan10]

Do NOT buy any HDMI cable from Circuit City 'nor Best Buy, you can get an HDMI of the exact same quality right here

HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

For a grand total of $7, plus shipping. I too was ready to buy an $80 cable from Best Buy, and the clown working there told me that the cheaper the cable was, the worse the sync would be (for voice and what-not) and I almost listened to him, then I went home and looked up the CNET review on HDMI cables and came across monoprice, turns out there's no difference and I'm a proud owner of one of their $7 cables.

I'd say get one from monoprice, I have one and I couldn't be happier. And if, for some reason you are unhappy, you only lost about $14, as opposed to $80.

Here's the review I read on CNET, in case you wanted to look it over for yourself ...

HDMI and HDMI Cables: CNET's Quick Guide - CNET Reviews - CNET Reviews

[ISiddiqui]

Yep... when it comes to HDMI cables (or component or whatever), I recommend either Amazon or Monoprice. Anything else and you are just paying more for nothing.

[gottimd]

Thanks everyone, that is what I figured but I wanted to make sure. Once again FOFC community saves me cash!

[Daimyo]

You only really need to be careful if you're running the cable more than 25' or so. At that point you need a higher gauge cable (especially for 1080p). Monoprice sells those too though.

[stevew]

All of the electronics stores rip you off n cables and warranties and other accessories. I cringe every time I sell any of that stuff.

[BrianD]

I'll add to the monoprice love. I decided to play it safe and buy a higher gauge cable to make sure my 12' run didn't have any problems and I still spent about $12 with shipping. Works perfectly.

[moriarty]

Another vote for monoprice. 25' is a looong distance, might be worth having them relocate your cable outlet.

Since it's a flat screen, if you're running the cable behind your wall (behind drywall) most code requires a certain rating of cable (HDMI or other) for in wall use (name escapes me, but you can look it up).

[CU Tiger]

x whatever on monoprice....I pay slightly (<20%) less than their prices, but I buy in bulk and am required to have license etc on file.

You didnt ask, but Ill volunteer it anyway.
At that size do not pay a penny more for 1080....unless syou have a viewing distance of less than 30", which if so....dont bother your eyes will be shot soon enough it wont matter.

Im seeing a disturbing trend of pushing 1080i sets on consumers at the smaller sizes, you are at least 10x better having a 720p than a 1080i on anything less than 40" and Ill debate up to 50"

[MizzouRah]

Good advice.. monster cables are a huge ripoff.

[Pyser]

i thought the difference between 1080i and 720p was negligible?

[stevew]

I think he meant P. AFAIK there aren't any 1080i native sets out there anymore. Maybe some hitachi ones. We've been selling the hell out of the panny 720 TVs this year. Incredible value ffor the money.

[Cringer]

monoprice all the way. I got my 10' cable there, with shipping, for $9.

[stevew]

If you do not have time to wait for monoprice generally the game stores will have decent prices on optical cables and sometimes even on HDMI ones.

[Icy]

Unless you need a very long cable, any HDMI cable will do the job exactly the same, no point on expending over $10 on one.

[Samdari]

Thanks again guys, I just paid 2.36 to ship a 1.37 item, and saved 30 bucks over what Best Buy wanted for a printer cable. Its unreal.

[cubboyroy1826]

Okay we just got a PS3 and i am assuming i need an HDMI cable to take advantage of the BLue Ray player. Can anyone confirm this?

[Rich1033]

Pretty much. I mean the PS3 only comes with the standard rca cables, so as long as your TV has a HDMI input you may as well grab one.

[ISiddiqui]

And if it doesn't, when component cables aren't all that bad (and may not even matter depending on the size of your TV)

[cubboyroy1826]

Yeah myTV has a couple of the input spots for HDMI and it is a 42 inch Plasma so i want to be sure that i use the Blue Ray to its full potential.