Which HDMI cable should i buy?

[muesli]

Hi guys,

i would like to buy a 5m HDMI cable to connect my laptop with my TV (Full HD). the only problem is that i found many different cables with huge differences in prize (ranging from 17€ to 38€ . so i'm wondering if you could help me to find the right one.

i saw cables with HDMI 1.3, with 1.3b and with 1.4 - does that matter?
i saw cables with gold contacts and with 24kt. gold contacts - same q?
some cables say "high quality" - does that matter?

ok i will post the links.. 17€, 20€, 23€, 27€ and 38€ (i guess you should understand it even if it is german.. )

sorry for such a stupid question but i really don't know what's the difference and i don't want to spend more money than needed..
thank you for your help!!

[Mag-X]

Buy which ever one is cheapest. It'll work.

[Lupin]

The gold contacts won't easily corrode.

I agree with the above advice. Unless you have very high end equipment, you probably won't notice the difference between the different cables.

[vuzedome]

Even if its in some language that I don't know, but its safe to say that going for a cheap one will do for what you're trying to do.

[muesli]

Thank you guys! So even blu ray rips should play fine with the cheapest cable - right?

[sdedalus83]

The gold contacts won't easily corrode.  And you can get decent cables with gold plated contacts for a pittance.

I agree with the above advice. Unless the cables have shitty internal wiring and make poor connections with the equipment, you won't notice the difference between the different cables.

Modified for accuracy.

HDMI is an error correcting, digital connection.  As long as the connection is solid and the cable can handle the bandwidth, a $500 dollar cable is the same as a $10 cable if they are rated for the same spec.

The 23 Euro HDMI 1.4 cable is the one you want to get.  3D and 4k x 2k resolution support and ethernet over HDMI.

[psyren]

The 23 Euro HDMI 1.4 cable is the one you want to get.  3D and 4k x 2k resolution support and ethernet over HDMI.

Agreed. Best for future proofing.

[Mcgreag]

It's only if you are looking at ranges for 10+ meters that you want to start considering slightly higher quality.
Also if the cable isn't good enough you will notice it immediately because you will get miss-colored (usually blue) pixels here and there.

[Xtras]

I got 6 ft Belkin HDMI Cables with the gold plating for $29 each. That was without any sale hunting, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a better deal.

[fohfoh]

IMO if it's just your laptop, any basic cable will do. But if you need longer lengths, or something that's a dedicated video player of sorts (ie: PS3, Xbox360, Bluray player etc.) Then investing in a higher quality one isn't a bad idea.

However, that being said, they are expensive as shit when you go high end. Mine was a $80 dollar cable and it's a loaner too. My actual was a 120 dollar monster cable. The original was borrowed by someone and now I need to use a loaner cable for the time being.

[Mag-X]

Seriously guys, do not spend more than $5 on an HDMI cable. Unless you're going for a really really long distance (so long you'd have to search for special cables) any cable will do. Either it really works, or it really doesn't. There is no in between. A $3.50 HDMI cable will deliver exactly the same quality as a $150 gold plated Monster cable. Period.

[Xtras]

Yeah I agree with Mag-X. Perhaps 5 is a bit extreme, but you shouldn't need to pay more than 25 dollars for an HDMI cable.

One of my friends had a 85$ gold plated 10 foot cable. It failed on him after two weeks. My much cheaper Belkin models are now 5 months strong. Price doesn't necessarily indicate quality with these, so don't be fooled too easily.

[Mag-X]

$25 for a single cable is a rip off. I got 4 pack of HDMI cables at Fry's for $10. You can get single cables for $3-6 on monoprice.com

[NaRu]

The cheapest HDMI cable will do the job. (1080p 120Hz)

[ant900]

I got myself a 10 dollar cable from monoprice and I haven't notice anything wrong with it.  Though I am hardly a HD freak.

[fohfoh]

Seriously guys, do not spend more than $5 on an HDMI cable. Unless you're going for a really really long distance (so long you'd have to search for special cables) any cable will do. Either it really works, or it really doesn't. There is no in between. A $3.50 HDMI cable will deliver exactly the same quality as a $150 gold plated Monster cable. Period.

Sorry, should have mentioned... I bought my cables several years ago before there were a lot of lower costed alternatives.

[vuzedome]

Lets see.... mine was for $6. That's how cheap it is.

[fohfoh]

Lets see.... mine was for $6. That's how cheap it is.

I purchased mine a LONG time ago when a 1080i plasma TV cost over 3000 dollars. xD

[kenshin-dono]

$25 for a single cable is a rip off. I got 4 pack of HDMI cables at Fry's for $10. You can get single cables for $3-6 on monoprice.com

monoprice.com is awesome

note you dont ALWAYS want to just go for cheapest. You do want to make sure its up to spec and decent material. Monoprices stuff is good.

im totally astounded by what an absurd rip off monster cables are. Especially for digital stuff like HDMI cables

[Xtras]

You know what is really a ripoff? Wireless HDMI. Thing is freaking 1 Grand. I can see no reason why you should buy it.