HDMI cables

[Anonymous]

I’m curious what brands of HDMI cables the members of this forum are using. I am looking for opinions on brands to use for runs over 30 or 40 feet.

Topic

[Anonymous]

I just use monoprice cables and they are just fine. For the long runs … I string two 20 ft ones together with a booster and test it out … works fine and then I run it. (tape the center together._)

regards

[Anonymous]

I use Monoprice on shorter cables. Which booster do you use? Can an companies booster be used with any cable? What’s the truth behind cable manufacturers stating that this length cable is good to “x” feet up to 1080i but our more expensive line will support 1080p at that length?? What are the real rules??? I’d like to know “The real truth” about HDMI as the runs get longer.

[Anonymous]

There real rules are…

1. As with any product category “monoprice” products are hit or miss. Cable construction properties like raw material quality and especially QC measures taken during manufacturing work toward this end.

2. Any cables ability to carry signal (voltage) relative to distance is based on the gauge of its conductors. I have seen HDMI cable using conductors from 28AWG up to 22AWG. Lower gauge means thinker conductors which results in longer run before you run into issues. Remember analog signals have a gradual roll off in signal quality related to distance. Digital signals on the other hand hold strong and then will have a sharp drop of into completely unusable.

3. As with any cable (especially twisted pair) lots of problems result due to the terminations at the ends of the cable rather than an issue with the conductors themselves. Most higher end manufacturers will explain what they do at termination and explain to you why they think that it is superior to other methods.

4. When a manufacturer claims of 1080i and 1080P based on there levels of cables the differences are usually that they make their higher end cables with thicker gauge conductors and/or more conductive materials.

5. I have had good luck with HDMI cables from Audioquest for 15m and 20m runs. They are not cheap but have never once caused a problem on the longer runs. As far as shorter cables (<2m) Audioquest, IXOS and "monoprice" have given me great performance and Monster Cables have caused Monster Problems.

6. As far as boosters I’ve never used them although I would match brands if possible as I would expect all the R&D from a companies booster to have been performed on their cables which should produce the best result possible baring that the product is just bad.

[Anonymous]

i have 2 monoprice 1m HDMI cables, a 10m cable & 4:1 switcher
i had a 720p projector & all was well
upgraded to a 1080p PJ and i had no output from the BD player and red/white random streaks across the screen when watching the PVR
i traced the BD problem to the 1m cables, neither would produce a picture, but a 7m cable (just to test) & a 1m cable supplied with my media tank worked
both monoprice cables worked on the media tank (1080i mostly) and my PVR (480i/720p/1080i), however, i get the random streaks
the next problem was a full screen pink flash every few minutes while watching a regular DVD on the BD player
this turned out to be the switcher
as i said, i never saw any of these issues when it was 720p, but 1080p, especially from the BD player was a big problem
i don’t send any audio over the HDMI cables either

[Anonymous]

I personally like to use Blue Jeans myself. Yes, they are a bit more expensive, but for long runs, can’t beat them. Many will do 50 feet 1080p24 no problem. I know, I use it at that length with no degradation. For custom installs be careful using cables that are not rated for plenum or inwall use.

[Anonymous]

I have used Monoprice for a few years now, with never any problems. On the longer runs, I always get their top of the line HDMI with silver plated conductors. I think I’ve use their 50′ long cable five different times. Four are with 1080p projectors, with no problems.

[Author]

Replies