Expensive cables are a big rip-off. No surprise there – we wrote about it at length in our “The Truth About Monster Cable” trilogy in 2007. (1, 2 and 3.) But if you’re a visual learner, Mint.com offers this infographic.
Mint’s main gig is offering a beautiful online service for managing personal finances. But they also dabble in sassy visual aids for money-related topics, like this one, that goes beyond the usual rabble-rousing to give some insight into what retailers get out of the great HDMI cable scam. [Mint via]
Jamie Carl
April 1, 2010 at 10:00 AM
For the aussie readers. cablechick.com.au is great for HDMI cables. No, I’m not affiliated with them in any way and I’m just a customer. But their cables are cheap but great quality and they have q wide range of cable types. I just bought an HDMI to DVI cable for $28 and it arrived the next day express post.
This has been a public service announcement.
Report Permalinkziltch
April 1, 2010 at 10:33 AM
I have solved many network problems over the years, due to cheap cables falling apart.
It is not just that they work on day one that matters!
Report PermalinkViddy
April 1, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Agreed. I bought 3x HDMI cables for about $15 each 18 months ago. Without the amp or tv moving over a 12 month period I noticed intermittent signal crashing… then less intermittent crashing as the cable connections seemed to just mysteriously disintergrate!
Two eBay purchases later I managed to buy 2x Monster cables (the latest ‘versions’ – a 1m & a 2m) for $65 including postage.
Believe me or not, but as soon as I plugged them in the colours on my HD Bravia tv seemed a lot more vibrant. For the extra $20 or so and a bit of shopping around – regardless of the theoretical performance gains, I have a much better built and longer lasting set of cables.
Report PermalinkAaron
April 1, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Nope mate… Digital 1s and 0s, it may have appeared more vibrant but it wasn’t. Best way to prove it or disprove it would be to hook up a cheap cable and a monster cable making photos of exactly the same screen shot (keeping the light conditions and camera settings the same) and comparing them on your computer.
Having said that I do agree with Shane, somewhere between $10-$40 is the most you’d need to pay to get a HDMI cable that will last you as long as your TV.
Report PermalinkMatt
April 2, 2010 at 9:46 AM
OK – I don’t believe you. Explain to me how the vibrancy of the colours on your screen were affected by the exact same stream of 1s and 0s moving into your TV?
“OK, here comes the signal….1100101010110111….hey, wait a minute. These 1s and 0s are from a MONSTER CABLE! Quick, adjust the screen’s colour saturation settings to provide a richer viewing experience for out rich and gullible owner!”
Report PermalinkShane
April 1, 2010 at 12:17 PM
There’s no argument over quality of build, but spending and extra $200 on a cable becomes a little ridiculous.
Never buy the most expensive, never buy the cheapest. Look for the middle ground.
Report PermalinkMilky Joe
April 3, 2010 at 3:24 AM
i bought a $15 HDMI cable from Coles, and it works brilliantly on a 32″ samsung. Give em a go, you don’t anything to lose. except 15 bucks
Report PermalinkDavid
November 9, 2010 at 6:59 PM
I have purchased cheap HDMI cables in the past and every one has suffered from signal loss or just given up completely. Then I found Monster Cable on-line (not retail) and have had happy viewing/listening ever since. It might be my mind playing ticks on me but I also believe the picture quality is noticably better. Don’t waste your money on cheap cables as they will cost more in the long run. Don’t buy from a retail outlet either unless you like throwing your money away (Monster M2000 cable $50 on-line v’s $160 at Harvey Norman)
Report PermalinkVance Archer
November 20, 2010 at 8:56 AM
HDMI cables are one big scam. Go on Amazon.com and you can find them for as low as $2. I even did a test to see if there is a difference between expensive ones at best buy and the cheap ones i bought and there was no difference. The cables either work perfectly or they don’t work at all. I saw no difference with the same device on the same TV. The only difference is that monster brand will probably last longer but who cares. Are these even going to be relevant in 15 years? probably not. Even if the cheap cables do break down in a few years, they cost as much as a cheeseburger so its not a huge loss.
Report Permalinkbob
January 9, 2011 at 1:58 AM
I bought one HDMI cable for $15 and two more at a later date for $4 each. They all work exactly the same. Anyone who spends more than $20 on a HDMI cable is an idiot.
Report PermalinkGerry
February 1, 2011 at 2:20 AM
Bought HDMI cable for $18 from local computer store. It’s been almost 3 years on my PS3 + Bravia 40″ HD, worked like a charm.
Report PermalinkJohn Frame
October 27, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Harvey Norman Aspley blew a $1000 projector sale today when the salesguy tried to pressure my friend into buying a $500 five metre Monster Cable HDMI. I said I had a spare new $30, but shorter, one at home that my friend could have, and which would work just as well. The salesguy aggressively told me I was wrong – and we walked straight out. I’ve had no trouble with any of the HDMI cables I’ve bought, and most have been from CableChick.
Report PermalinkTim Jarvis
November 5, 2011 at 7:03 PM
I agree, monster rippoff. I work with sound & broadcast engineers on events that use thousands of meters of cable for high end video & sound applications, every cable has to perform or bad things happen. Cable and connector quality is critically important, including the signal specification & maximum run lenghts. However using an expensive Monster Cable (for a minor non critical patch) would be an expensive last option and if nothing else was available and we did not have time to make the cable, and why? let us take a humble domestic RCA lead as an egsample, the connector cost less than $4 to buy, high quality cable $1.50 metre. For a manufacturer buying bulk I suspect a of hell of a lot less.
Report PermalinkIf you have spent hundreds of dollars on cable for your home entertainment system then I’m sorry, you’ve been had!
Tim Jarvis
November 5, 2011 at 7:05 PM
I agree, monster rippoff. I work with sound & broadcast engineers on events that use thousands of meters of cable for high end video & sound applications, every cable has to perform or bad things happen. Cable and connector quality is critically important, including the signal specification & maximum run lenghts. However using an expensive Monster Cable (for a minor non critical patch) would be an expensive last option and if nothing else was available and we did not have time to make the cable, and why? let us take a humble domestic RCA lead as an exsample, the connector cost less than $4 to buy, high quality cable $1.50 metre. For a manufacturer buying bulk I suspect a of hell of a lot less.
Report PermalinkIf you have spent hundreds of dollars on cable for your home entertainment system then I’m sorry, you’ve been had!
Bob
January 16, 2012 at 3:40 PM
This scam is now being perpetrated by Harvey Norman.
Report Permalinksee details at: http://qgl.ausforums.com/index.php/439207/?agn=thread&id=3163251