There is no difference between cheap and expensive HDMI cables

[Newsfeed]

There is no difference between cheap and expensive HDMI cables

HDMI cables have become an essential part of most systems and are used to connect everything from Smart TVs and gaming consoles to PCs and monitors.

However, a disparity exists in the prices of HDMI cables, so MyBroadband went out to see if there was any difference in picture quality between cheap and expensive cables.

 

[Kosmik]

Because hdmi is a digital encoded signal. If all the bits are received correctly on the other end, only then is the signal converted for display. So you will either get full signal or none, not ghosting or loss like old analogue audio,video cables. Cable quality maybe around flexibility, like a braided cable vs plastic but not signal.

 

[Heisenborg]

The refresh rate of the cable. Lmao ok thats a new one

 

[upup]

I like how you ask a salesman for advice like this

 

[Kosmik]

I like how you ask a salesman for advice like this

Tbh the average laymen would and expect a decent answer.

 

[Nobody Important]

+1

 

[Totempole]

I don't know if this was an isolated case, but I bought a cheap 10 meter HDMI cable for R150 to connect my PC to the TV and there was some minor V-sync tearing towards the bottom of the screen when gaming.

The same issue wasn't present when using a regular 1.5m cable.

So I think V-sync tearing is something to look for rather than picture quality and colour reproduction. But this would probably only be noticeable with 10 - 20 meter cables, or perhaps when using screens with 120hz refresh rates.

 

[quovadis]

I don't know if this was an isolated case, but I bought a cheap 10 meter HDMI cable for R150 to connect my PC to the TV and there was some minor V-sync tearing towards the bottom of the screen when gaming.

The same issue wasn't present when using a regular 1.5m cable.

So I think V-sync tearing is something to look for rather than picture quality and colour reproduction. But this would probably only be noticeable with 10 - 20 meter cables, or perhaps when using screens with 120hz refresh rates.

Or just cables manufactured without standards conformance.

Because hdmi is a digital encoded signal. If all the bits are received correctly on the other end, only then is the signal converted for display. So you will either get full signal or none, not ghosting or loss like old analogue audio,video cables. Cable quality maybe around flexibility, like a braided cable vs plastic but not signal.

Over extended distances there needs to be conformance to the standard which can cause issues with interference similar to the way network cable can be affected. It would be hardly noticeable unless you’re pushing the full bandwidth which most people aren’t.

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

Because hdmi is a digital encoded signal. If all the bits are received correctly on the other end, only then is the signal converted for display. So you will either get full signal or none, not ghosting or loss like old analogue audio,video cables. Cable quality maybe around flexibility, like a braided cable vs plastic but not signal.

Same goes for fiber optic cables for digital audio, and yet people still spend a pretty penny getting "better" cables. A fool and his money ...

 

[RedViking]

Not true. I have a cheap crap cable. Would prefer a better quality one...... But yes. Won't be a difference between a white cable and a gold cable.

 

[konfab]

Same goes for fiber optic cables for digital audio, and yet people still spend a pretty penny getting "better" cables. A fool and his money ...

Same thing for the tards who prefer to listen to analogue audio with "warmth" (aka unwanted harmonics) over digitally encoded signals you can prove mathematically to have zero distortion.

 

[Ancalagon]

I remember a salesman telling me he could show me the difference between cheap and expensive on an oscilloscope. I just laughed at him.

 

[kianm]

Only difference is durability not transmitted image/audio quality

 

[kianm]

Same goes for fiber optic cables for digital audio, and yet people still spend a pretty penny getting "better" cables. A fool and his money ...

^

 

[quovadis]

Same thing for the tards who prefer to listen to analogue audio with "warmth" (aka unwanted harmonics) over digitally encoded signals you can prove mathematically to have zero distortion.

Depends on the digitally encoded audio. In the early days of digital encoded music it wasn’t the lossless encoding available today which is where most of the argument was made. Also, since speakers are analogue most quality comes from the quality of the DAC and actual speakers.

 

[quovadis]

I remember a salesman telling me he could show me the difference between cheap and expensive on an oscilloscope. I just laughed at him.

Technically you can over distance and with the right interference along the way. It doesn’t necessarily affect the quality though unless the interference or wire gauge is very poor and causing dropout.

 

[Dark Agent]

Try the below with at least 5 different brands:
10M
20M
50M

Each test(1080 and 4K).
1. Circular fold the cables.
2. Long distance
3. Near other cables

You will see a big difference.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Mostly true for short lengths and “when it works, it works the same”.

But when you run into longer cable runs there is a difference in shielding that could mean it works or it doesn’t work.

 

[access]

well, i had to buy proper branded hdmi cables because none of the cheap ones could handle 4k hdr, all short length, nothing that could cause interference.

screen would flash or go black. 1080p no problem, 4k..? nein!

use the more expensive cable, no problem.

someone told me some of the cheaper guys leave some of the copper out of the cable. apparently it has multiple channels for various functions..

 

[quovadis]

well, i had to buy proper branded hdmi cables because none of the cheap ones could handle 4k hdr, all short length, nothing that could cause interference.

screen would flash or go black. 1080p no problem, 4k..? nein!

use the more expensive cable, no problem.

someone told me some of the cheaper guys leave some of the copper out of the cable. apparently it has multiple channels for various functions..

I think there needs to be a more clear discussion on cheap price vs poor construction. You get really poor cables at a cheap price and really good quality certified cables at a cheap price. Most likely the one you had problems with was the former and an older HDMI version.