HDMI and DVI Cables at the big box retailers such as Best Buy, CompUSA, and even your local Wal-Mart are incredibly expensive. Even when you are not looking at the Monster Cable brand or other "high performance" cables you can still expect to pay a minimum of $35 for an HDMI cable as short as six feet long. High performance cables such as Monster or Acoustic Research are even more outrageous, with six foot lengths being sold for $70 or more with one report being found of a four foot cable being sold for over $140! There is great debate as to whether or not you really need to invest that much money in a single cable for your new HDTV.
The Facts About Digital HDMI and DVI Cables:
Both HDMI and DVI cables carry digital information from your cable box, DVD player, computer, or other media device to your high definition television. Because they carry DIGITAL information they are not as susceptible to radio frequency interference the way standard audio or speaker cables are. Unless you are running the cable over a very long distance (25 feet or more) chances are that you are not going to have any problems, nor are you going to notice any difference in picture quality.
HDMI cables are used mostly in video applications such as cable, satellite, or DVD connections. DVI cables may be used by some of these devices, but are also found more often in computer connections. Using a DVI cable and a DVI equipped video card you can display your computer's image on your fancy new fifty inch plasma high definition television. Adaptors are also available to take the DVI cable and convert it over to standard HDMI. Other options such as VGA connections are also available on some LCD and Plasma televisions if your computer does not support DVI out.
Gold Plated HDMI Cables, Are They Worth It:
Many high end cable manufacturers go to great lengths to advertise their gold plated cables. Remember that it is only the connectors that are gold plated. The wire in between the two ends is still most likely copper. In analog use gold plated connectors may be worth the additional money, but in HDMI terms they are again a luxury that most people will not reap any benefit from.
Saving Money On HDMI Cables:
At local, brick and mortar retailers you will be hard pressed to find any HDMI or DVI cables that are reasonably priced. Most local retailers take an incredibly good mark up on these cables so that they can sell the televisions a little cheaper. If you do a little digging on the Internet you can find many different cable and electronics suppliers that will sell you essentially the same cable for far less cost. If you choose to purchase a Monster Cable or Acoustic Research Cable you will be paying for the brand name. They do use high quality components, but the same basic cables can be found elsewhere for less than half the cost. Some sites, such as Monoprice.com provide very good quality long distance HDMI cables for in wall installations for as little as $35 for a twenty-five foot length. When compared to the more expensive brands these cables work just as well for a fraction of the cost.
The Bottom Line:
Different professionals will have different opinions on just how important it is for your HDMI cable to be gold plated or to be made of a specific gauge of wire. In the end, it is all about personal observation and taste. Go out and buy a high end HDMI cable from a local store and compare it to one that you purchased online. Save the receipts and see if you can tell the difference. You may just save yourself hundreds of dollars.
Chad Criswell - Chad Criswell is a professional educator and freelance technology writer for numerous online and print publications throughout the United ...
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