i think we need an official HDMI Cable discussion thread

Only difference is the quality of the cable itself i.e. the connectors, built quality but in term of signal, very minimal ..

People already said the signal for digital is 0 or 1.  So, not matter what make the HDMI cable, you still received 0 or 1 signal.  You think better quality HDMI can produced 0 or 1 in this form: 0 or 1? 

So, do you think if machine received better looking 1 or 0  , your picture and audio qualities will be better? 

Conclusion, if your HDMI cable can received 0 or 1 signal (mean it is good HDMI cable) or can't received 0 or 1 signal (mean this is defect HDMI cable). That's all, case closed. 

My rm30 HDMI cable seems to be giving prob when connected to my ps3...previously no prob at all..now suddenly the pic has interference.....

I suppose in a very general sense what you say is correct. A lot of people say digital is digital, it is either received or not received. But if you look at the details there are still some slight differences but which I don't fully understand. Have a look at this article: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cable...ble-bench-tests - in particular read about the test equipment and the eye pattern.

Another theory of mine, yes bits are either 0 or 1. But a signal isn't just 1 bit, it's not a case of cannot receive a 0 or 1 signal = complete failure. In one second megabits of signal is passed through the cable, what if the cable is not capable of transmitting all the bits perfectly? What if only 99.9998% are ok and the 0.0002% is not received? How does this affect the audio/video?

I suppose in a very general sense what you say is correct. A lot of people say digital is digital, it is either received or not received. But if you look at the details there are still some slight differences but which I don't fully understand. Have a look at this article: http://www.audioholics.com/education/cable...ble-bench-tests - in particular read about the test equipment and the eye pattern.

Another theory of mine, yes bits are either 0 or 1. But a signal isn't just 1 bit, it's not a case of cannot receive a 0 or 1 signal = complete failure. In one second megabits of signal is passed through the cable, what if the cable is not capable of transmitting all the bits perfectly? What if only 99.9998% are ok and the 0.0002% is not received? How does this affect the audio/video?

thinking about the tramission of all the bits.
If we are copying a excel file from a ext HDD to a PC via a cheapo USB cable. If the USB cable only can transmit 99.9998%, theoretically the excel file is incomplete and some data is missing. But this does not happen even though most people uses regular USB cable.

Thus I still don't understand the expensive HDMIs...

Ya... agree... let's support local cap ayam HDMI!

Conclusion

Well, what started out as a quest to prove the fact that longer HDMI cables really matter ended up schooling me in the fact that real world performance differs very much from lab results. It also demonstrated that not all manufacturers' cables are created equal - nor will all of the cables labeled as "HDMI 1.3-ready" likely pass all of the potential aspects of category 2 (3.4 Gbps) cables without help.

I have to come away saying that most cables under 4-5 meters will pass just about anything in today's arsenal of 1080p - and that's likely to include Deep Color if and when it ever makes an appearance (not likely soon due to current Blu-ray limitations). For cables over 5 meters it's a good bet that you'll want to stick with trusted manufacturers who deliver on their specs. For long cables, Blue Jeans Cable, DVIGear, MonoPrice, Monster Cable 800HD, and WireWorld seem to be the best bets of the cables we tested - however the price variance between these cables is revealing. We're sure there are also other cables we didn't test which are also likely to perform well. Some of the other manufacturers, such as NGHP, RAM Electronics, Sewell Direct, and Tributaries also showed themselves to be great performers at <7.5 meters, however they either didn't have longer length cables or they didn't supply them in ~10 meter lengths for our testing.

Your take-away from all this should be the following:

    * At lengths less than 4 meters you can just about use silly string (OK, not really) and get HDMI to pass at any current resolution. At less than 3 meters you'll even extend that to 12-bit color and possibly the next crazy idea HDMI Licensing decides to throw at consumers. Don't spend a lot on these cables and if you want to save money you won't let anyone at a big box store talk you into buying from them.
    * At long lengths (over 10 meters) you really need to pay attention to the manufacturer if you don't want to risk running into potential problems with 1080p and future formats such as Deep Color. With that said, just about any cable at or under 10 meters will pass 720p/1080i and nearly everyone will pass 1080p at 8-bit color as well.
    * If you have an existing HDMI cable and are running into problems, we'd suggest at least attempting the insertion of an active component at the sink (display) side. This is going to be far cheaper than ripping out your walls and re-running new cables - and likely just as effective.
    * HDMI has proven to be a moving target and there is no telling what crazy (likely unnecessary) format they will try to push down the cable next. Due to this, it's always good to "overbuild" your cable install, especially if it's a longer distance and going to end up behind drywall.
    * If you're not prone to upgraditis and think 1080p will be your maximum resolution for the life of your install, don't sweat it...

There are going to be exceptions to all these "rules" but in the end I'd have to say that I really thought I'd see more differences in the real-world performances of longer-length cables. Since we're all basically pinned at 8-bit 1080p, I didn't. It's likely you won't either. So all those people saying "buy any cable you want, it doesn't matter" are, for the most part, correct - at least until manufacturers advance to 12-bit software and signal transmission. Where they are not accurate is in assuming HDMI (since it is digital) is either "on" or "off" (it either works or doesn’t). HDMI signals can be partially corrupted as you saw above. The other area in which they are off concerns the future. If and when 12-bit "Deep Color" video truly comes to market (as more than just a listed spec) individual cable situations can (and likely will) change. For this reason take all of the above measurements and principles into account and make sure you build your installation wisely.

This one from audiohonlics....

Audioholics

Important note added by admin : Different HDMI cables do not affect the quality of the picture. FACT. Reviews stating that cables produce a 'more natural image' or 'better colours' are complete rubbish

as the first thread in the link stated.. 

What's a DTS-MA sonic bomb?

cheap people buy cheap cables

good question, it'll affect the audio and video in abrupt non comfortable way.. in audio it's like DTS-MA sonic bomb or video sparklies.. or whole picture become green or flashes of white etc... 

which ever data loss effect, it surely won't make the image softer, or less bright , sound not at clean less bright,, muddled etc...

i go to a hifi shop audition speaker package, the salesman keep insisting that HDMI cable that cost several hundred ringgit sound louder and clearer than cheap HDMI cable 

Buy Monster 

Monster only buy Monster Cable.

correction -> Dumb Monster only buy Monster Cable

only know monster ma

i go to a hifi shop audition speaker package, the salesman keep insisting that HDMI cable that cost several hundred ringgit sound louder and clearer than cheap HDMI cable 

i go to a hifi shop audition speaker package, the salesman keep insisting that HDMI cable that cost several hundred ringgit sound louder and clearer than cheap HDMI cable 

Should ask that salesman if he dares to do blind test.

Should ask that salesman if he dares to do blind test.

Why everyone like to bang bang monster cable?...got so many other brand of cables that are similar priced with monster cable and perform same like normal cable.

... Monster Cable threatening to sue Snow Monsters, a Colorado-based company that uses cute critters to promote children's awareness of safe skiing practices. In this article it is pointed out that Monster Cable would be willing to let someone continue using MONSTER in return for $1,000 a year and a percentage of the gross. What? Can you say EXTORTION?

dude u got nothing better to do meh

it's called time management and multitasking. perhaps you have heard of these concepts?
anyway, I do not consider taking time to educate people a waste of time

but the point is this ... do not overbuy neither would u want to underbuy as well. if u have a casual ht system no point buying a rm1,000 hdmi cable. similary if ht system costed u rm10,000 u 're not going to opt for a rm36 hdmi cable ya ...

I agree.. its lotsa info for SiriuslyCold to share

Yes..I didn't know Monster cable is like that one...

Hi there,can anyone recommend me which hdmi cable to buy for projector 10 meters long and where to buy?Thanks

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....&seq=1&format=2
I'm using one of these, but shorter length
even with vPost shipping I think it will be cheaper than any brand name cable you can buy locally. Perhaps you can gather some other people who maybe interested and make a bulk order

there are many company that sell overprice cable, but monster is just being a a**hole with their legal action and over agressively pushing their product.

Very good price that one.

Alternatively can try this forummer: http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=815300 They have 10m for RM126.

People already said the signal for digital is 0 or 1.  So, not matter what make the HDMI cable, you still received 0 or 1 signal.  You think better quality HDMI can produced 0 or 1 in this form: 0 or 1? 

So, do you think if machine received better looking 1 or 0  , your picture and audio qualities will be better? 

Conclusion, if your HDMI cable can received 0 or 1 signal (mean it is good HDMI cable) or can't received 0 or 1 signal (mean this is defect HDMI cable). That's all, case closed. 

even tho the cable can receive signals 0 and 1, there are also noises.
the ideal voltage for logic state 0 is around 0-0.4 V. 0.4-0.8V is still in the margin but contains noise.
same as logic state 1 but on a different voltage. 2 and above.

I'm using 2 HDMI cables... one is RM75, the other one is free. Like that how? 

one snoob question to ask...

does difference in digital interconnects differ in sound???

like a CD transport's  digital signal to DAC's

thanks

you would think not, but it really depends on your system as a whole (source, DAC, amplification, speakers, cables, room). If it is highly resolving you can perhaps hear a difference. I doubt it makes a difference in mid range HT systems. And it won't be something you can hear very obviously either. So for HT intents and purposes, as long as the cable is not broken and properly manufactured (shielding, impedance etc within spec) cables don't differ.

However... http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=...ht=modwright&r=

or here.. http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/115776.html

or here http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/115763.html

the upshot is it may not be digitally measurable, but certainly audible.

My take is

1) the system as a whole should be balanced, there is no point using Nordost Valhalla i/cs (US$3300/m pair) to connect a Marantz CD63 to a Cambridge Audio amplifier... and

2) cables are the last thing you tweak after bringing your equipment to the same "level" - including treating the room (this has more effect on the sound than anything else other than speakers)

I wonder if people who said different cables doesn't make a difference actually did try or they just simply pickup what others have said or written

99% googled, 1% tried but no notice difference...haha

cabut...

Oh I tot RM15 cable data more accurate

or maybe, it should be: I did not hear any strange discomforting abrupt sounds that is associated with digital audio data loss during transmission via digital cables....

I tried.. USB cable free one and RM15 one.. no difference..  data came out same.. 

u not yet try monster high performance USB cable

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=1429

with

•  XLN® Xtra Low Noise® construction delivers up to 400MHz of bandwidth.
•  Advanced Monster® technologies meet high-speed USB 1.0 specifications.
•  Heavy-duty double shielding rejects noise for faster, more reliable data transfer.
•  Large gauge power conductor for low-loss power transfer to self-powered USB devices.
•  Duraflex® protective jacket is flexible for easy routing and storage.

so what happens to the audio and videowhen error correction in digital signal fails?

so what happens to the audio and videowhen error correction in digital signal fails?

never ending...

Data stream received will not be accurate. So video/audio will not be reproduced accurately.

But typically in data transmission over network, if there are errors, the protocols allows for re-transmits, ie. send again to fix the error. But for high bandwidth streaming of audio/video, don't think there's time to re-transmit?

So cable quality should have impact on signal quality, albeit very minimal. Makes sense?

I wonder if people who said different cables doesn't make a difference actually did try or they just simply pickup what others have said or written

this topic.... very nice debating indeed....

my fren, a sony technician and me did confirm there is a change,

one HDMI seem to display clearer PQ than the other, and also for AQ the ambience is different

As for me i believe there is a difference,
but at the end of the day... The Decision is Yours

Data stream received will not be accurate. So video/audio will not be reproduced accurately.

But typically in data transmission over network, if there are errors, the protocols allows for re-transmits, ie. send again to fix the error. But for high bandwidth streaming of audio/video, don't think there's time to re-transmit?

So, unless you have robotic eyes and ears that can sense all these minute inaccuracy of video/audio reproduction, then maybe the splurge on expensive HDMI cables is only psychologically effective, ie. you think you are seeing a better picture or hearing a better sound, and so, therefore you "really" do.

moomoos,

Was there less noise in the images?

---

Added on November 5, 2009, 9:06 am

Isn't there enuf redundacy in the transmission that can take care of this?  I was under the impression that there were checks and balances on the HDMI transmission on the receiving side. But of course I cold be wrong.

moomoos,

Was there less noise in the images?

y is it when you use a cardas interconnect, you get better bass,
an audio quest, you get better treble
maybe van del hul, a more soothing sound

what about the transparency, soundstage, depth, etc??

well.... one can call it placebo effect ... 

but HDMI digital cables do differ in Reality ....

bro anfield, dont know whether its noise or not

one displayed blurrer pictures, and certain brightly lit spots appeared smeared (bigger...of cos not measurable la )

have to use the pioneer BD to calibrate the Detail level up ( there's improvement ) but cant better the other cable

i also did freeze frame on facial, and did swapping few times, the wreckles, facial pores ( dont know wat you call it.. mind my inglish..hehe) seems clearer.

one very good example is on the spiderman 3, when the SandMan finally gather back its figure, notice the "details" grains of sand flowing/streaming along, and when he picks up the pendant on 1st attempt, notice the expression (details on eye)
you really dont have to pause/freeze to just let it play and replay

happy experimenting !!!