The Price

$US70

The Verdict

It works, but damn if it isn’t expensive.

If you’re not really married to the higher quality digital audio, you might be better off getting the USB audio version for $US50, which performs basically the same service for $US20 less.

As for this unit, it definitely works—we’ve been using it on a Mac Mini hooked up to a 1080p TV for a week—and there are no dropouts or weird signal noise inconsistencies that we can see. Everything is plug and play, and you should have no problem using it on your 5.1 audio system.

Again, at $US70, it’s only really useful if Mini DisplayPort is your only display output, otherwise you can come up with a cheaper solution involving a series of cheaper tubes. [Kanex Live]

It works

It’s very expensive

There isn’t a whole lot to explain, other than the fact that the adaptor is now basically set to deliver full audio quality to the video content played back on your Mac, and all through one HDMI cable. The previous version was held up because of manufacturing issues, so we’ll have to see if this version suffers from the same difficulties. [Kanex]

The products are all packaged in “frustration free” packaging, and include HDMI cables, Ethernet cords and blank DVDs, to name a few.

This has to irk the consumer electronics companies that currently sell marked up cables and other items in Amazon’s virtual marketplace already, but Paul Ryder, Amazon’s vice president for consumer electronics and wireless, said all they’ll need is a little re-education.

“I’m sure some vendors of cables and blank media are going to ask us, ‘What just happened?’ We’ll educate them that we saw value available to the customer in the market, and with our relationship with the vendor, we wanted to give that value to customers,” he said over at the New York Times Bits blog. [Amazon via Bits]

TechRadar breaks down everything you need to know about HDMI 1.4 into an easy-to-digest 10-thing listicle. Personally, I’m most excited about the new Micro Connector, since I just love new kinds of cables, though sad I’ll have to wait a whole year to buy it. [TechRadar, Image via Sam Catchsides/Flickr]

The Price: $US40

The Verdict: It works. IT WORKS! Playing back 1080p trailers in Quicktime, powered by a MacBook Pro, on our plasma TV was fantastic. And the part where it actually has audio? Yes please.

It’s quite easy to use. The USB and Mini DisplayPort goes into the MacBook Pro (or Mac Mini), and the other end takes an HDMI cable. Your Mac should automatically detect the new display, but you have to manually switch the audio output to the USB audio device. If you’re planning on using a new Mac Mini, this is the way to go. The video quality is pretty much what you’d expect from a clean 1080p source, and those trailers look good.

And with the problems Apple’s own Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters are having, using this and an HDMI-capable monitor might be a smart idea.

The adapters will be available later in the week. I suggest you pick one up if you have any kind of Mini DisplayPort-capable computer you want to throw up onto your TV once in a while. Also, Monoprice has a unit coming up soon as well that’s pretty similar. [Kanexlive]

However, the XF1 looks geared towards the mainstream consumer crowd, as it only plays back video at 1080i, and fails to support the h.264 or MKV standards. It does, however, support the AVI, Xvid and MPEG family of codecs, along with all the major audio ones. Price and availability are yet to be announced. [LG via Everything USB]

Though HDMI is capable of handling both audio and video, the Mini DisplayPort on MacBooks is not—a definite source of annoyance for MacBook users. The Kanex adapter gets sound from USB, like one of those teeny external sound cards, and merges it into the video it gets from Mini DisplayPort, so on the other end, your HDTV gets both audio and video from HDMI, up to 1080p resolution. It’s a simple solution, though of course not as elegant as if Apple would just put a damn HDMI-out in their MacBooks, so if you’re showing a lot of HD video content, this could be a real life-saver.

The clumsily (if descriptively) named “Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adaptor with USB digital audio” from Kanex (a line from Apogee, makers of various high-end A/V products) will be available this August for an undisclosed price. [Press Release]

Being Monsters, you know they’re gonna cost a ton. Four feet of “high speed” SuperThin cable has a suggested price of $US90, going up to $US100 for 8 feet, and $US120 for 16 feet. Standard speed cables start at $US80 for 1 meter, $US90 for 2 meters, $US100 for 4 meters and $US120 for 5 meters. I’ll leave the judgments to you guys in the comments.

Monster Introduces Breakthrough “SuperThin Cable™ for HDMI™”
— Developed in Collaboration with RedMere, New Powered SuperThin Cables for HDMI Are
Ideal for Elegant Flat-Panel TV Installations and Use with Mobile HD Devices —

New York, NY, June 10, 2009 – Monster, the world’s leading manufacturer of cables,
AV accessories, and power conditioning products, today announced the introduction of
a new line of “Powered” SuperThin Cables™ for HDMI™ Cables specifically designed
for use with a wide variety of electronics devices, ranging from today’s super-slim flat-
panel TVs to digital video cameras, home theatre systems, gaming systems or portable
computers. The new Monster SuperThin Cables for HDMI are the first fruits of a
recently announced collaboration with RedMere, a leader in advanced silicon chip
development. Monster Super Thin Cable for HDMI products will be available in 4-, 8-,
and 16-foot versions in the DigitalLife line of products (DL HDMI HSMI-4, DL HDMI
HSMI-8, DL HDMI HSMI-16).Monster’s Core line of cables for HDMI will also offer a
SuperThin cable design in 1, 2, 4 and 5 meter lengths.

HD Signals Are Boosted in the Cable Itself
With the introduction of SuperThin Cable for HDMI, Monster is continuing to follow
through on its commitment to provide consumers with a comprehensive range of high-
quality, reliable connectivity solutions for every need and budget. The key innovation
that made the creation of Monster SuperThin Cables for HDMI possible is the
RedMere™ MagnifEye™ Active technology. Requiring no external power supply the
technology enables industry-leading data speeds and ultimate-quality performance by
boosting the HD signals directly in the SuperThin cable itself. This eliminates the need
for heavy-gauge copper, making the cables extremely light, thin and portable.
SuperThin cables measure just 3.5 mm in diameter, approximately 65% thinner than
normal HDMI cables.

Noted Noel Lee, the Head Monster: “Monster built our reputation on thick, heavy
gauge high-quality cables with unequalled performance capabilities. Now, thanks to
our alliance with RedMere and the leading-edge MagnifEye Active technology, we’re
able to provide our customers with the same level of Monster quality and reliability in
a brand new type of ‘magically thin’ cable. The difference is immediately apparent –
SuperThin cables are much smaller and lighter, matching the sleek appearance of
the consumer electronics products they connect. Whether you want a totally clean-
looking virtually invisible installation option for your HDTV or you just want a much
better and more convenient way to access HD content while on-the-go, there’s never
been anything like our new super-thin cables.”

Digital Life™ SuperThin High Speed Powered Cable for HDMI (SRP) 4ft. $US89.95, 8ft.
$US99.95 and 16ft $US119.95

Digital Life SuperThin High Speed Powered Cable for camcorder; Mini HDMI to HDMI
8ft (SRP) $US99.95

Monster’s Core Line of SuperThin Powered Cables for HDMI 1m $US79.95, 2m $US89.95 4m
$US99.95, 5m $US119.95.

“Super-Slim TVs Need Monster SuperThin Cables”
Monster’s new SuperThin cables for HDMI are poised to usher in a new era of
convenience and elegance in high-performance cable management, both at home and
on-the-go. Featuring a built-in LED indicator that instantly lets users know they are
active, the virtually invisible cables are ideal for use in aesthetically designed home
theater installations utilizing flat-panel TVs. Consumers can literally hide the cables
away in plain sight, as well as fit them into any tight corners for a new level of
installation flexibility. Additionally, the compact and lightweight cables, which include
handy cable ties, are ideal for taking on the road with camcorders or other mobile digital
devices. Their easy portability provides users with a fast and convenient way to connect
camcorders or other digital devices to notebook computers or other display. For total
reliability and performance, the new cables feature corrosion-resistant 24k gold
contacts.

[Monster]

Somebody got a little too eager to share the good word about HDMI 1.4, since PCMag’s original story has vanished. Short version: 100Mbps internet, higher resolution (4,096×2160@30Hz) and stupid, stupid new cable BS.

The 100Mbps data deal happens through HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC) which will let internet-connected TVs share internet with other HEC devices through the HEC-enabled HDMI port. In other words, internet through HDMI ports, if it’s got the right brand mojo. There’s also easier audio streaming, and Automatic Content Enhancement will automagically optimise the picture based on the type of content, besides already being ready for future 3D video stuff.

Ah yes, stupid, stupid cables. Looks like I need to update the master list, since HDMI 1.4 not only requires special HDMI 1.4 cables, there are two new kinds: Low data rate, and high data rate. Hurray for confusion and new business opportunities for Best Buy. [Engadget]