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General discussion

Video/Audio cables

Jul 26, 2005 12:22AM PDT

In buying video/audio cables for my new HDTV, I was told the "Monster" brand cables were top of the line (and the most expensive). Is this true? Or are there comparable brands of the same quality for less money?

Discussion is locked

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Save your money and look for quality...
Jul 26, 2005 1:51AM PDT

Hello,

When it comes to audio/video cables, a good pair of generic $15-$25 pair should work wonderfully. There is so much marketing involved with wire it is acutally overkill.

You want to look for gold plated as gold is a better conductor.

Make sure your optical cable has a fairly thick sheathing to protect the plastic or glass core.

THX certified wires have gone through a rigorous testing and standards process to get the expensive THX certification. Most of these standards you will never hear or see the differences. You just get to pay a higher amount for them knowing that they have met THX's standards.

If you are really interested in finding the right cable, check the stores return policy on returning cables, buy an expensive pair and cheap pair, test them and return the pair that doesn't provided the greatest quality.

That said, I personally like generic brands that feel solid. Thich sheatings to protect the core wires and usually 14 Guage wire for all of my speaker wire. 14 guage gives the greatest bandwidth of speaker wires. And gold plating.

Take Care,

Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC

If you would like to contact me, click on the profile link below.

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Video/Audio cables
Jul 26, 2005 1:58AM PDT

It's your money!!!!
But keep in mind that Monstor cables a desinged to make a big proffit for the store that sells them.
Since you didn't say what cables you are looking for, so I'll just pick component video cables which are 75ohm coax cable with RCA connectors on them.
You could make your own, or buy the RCA brand at Home Depo, the Radio Shack house brand both are around $30.
MC tends to $99 and up, but it's your money. John

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Video/Audio cables
Jul 26, 2005 3:53AM PDT

You have reached that place that eventually everyone gets to; realizing just how much cables cost. If you didn't originally figure that into your budget you can easily go 10-20% over your equipment costs in cable.

Don't skimp on cable. But you don't have to go with expensive name brands either. The previous posts are accurate.

I would not recommend making the cables yourself. The cost for tools and parts makes it a more expensive option than buying Monster Cable. Not to mention how much material you'll burn through trying to figure out how to do it. Happy

Happy connecting!

Morgan Harman
The Tech Source
http://www.TheTechSource.net
Home Theaters and more... in Southern California

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Video/Audio cables
Jul 26, 2005 4:11AM PDT

Thanks for the replies guys. I definately don't like to go cheap on anything, so if there is a clear advantage to using monster cables....i have absolutely no problem paying for them. But, if there are cables that provide the same quality, I would obviously pick them over the monsters to save some money.

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Checkout this site for cables
Jul 26, 2005 4:37AM PDT

Hello,

Here is a site worth checking out for great prices and cable products that I recommend to my customers.

http://www.computercablestore.com/

Just remember the following.

Best video cables in order:
1. HDMI
2. DVI
3. Component
4. S-Video
5. Composite (yellow)

Best Audio cables in order:
1. HDMI
2. Optical Cable (multi-channel surround sound)
3. Digital Coax (multi-channel surround sound)
4. Composite (red/white, provide stereo unless you have multiple inputs 5.1 and above)

Again, make sure there is plenty of sheating/shielding around the cables.

Take Care,

Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC

If you would like to contact me, click on the profile link below.