Just realized most hdmi cables dont need to be expensive

I was reading through a thread on r/electronics and someone linked to a 2023 test from a site called HDMI.org that showed a $6 cable from Monoprice passed the same signal tests as a $80 Monster cable for 4k at 60hz. The only real difference was shielding for really long runs over 25 feet. Sort of mad I've been upselling people on premium cables for years when I could have just told them to grab the cheap one off Amazon. Has anyone else looked into the actual specs on those premium certified vs basic cables?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

william_jackson655mo ago

That "only real difference was shielding for really long runs over 25 feet" part is something I've been wondering about. For someone like me who just runs a standard 6 foot cable from my TV to the sound bar, is there any benefit at all to paying more? I've got a couple older cables that are just plain copper and they seem to work fine for 1080p. But I keep reading about how you need "high speed" for 4k. If the cheap ones pass the same tests for the average living room setup, what is the point of the certified premium label? Is it just a marketing trick to make us pay more money for something we don't really need?

1

west.anna4mo ago

6 foot cheap ones work fine for 4k, I've tested it myself.

6

david_rivera45mo ago

Wait, you're telling me the guy at Best Buy was lying when he said I needed that $50 Monster cable to "unlock the full potential" of my 4k TV? Nah man, you're getting ripped off if you're paying more than like $8 for a 6 foot HDMI cable. It's just ones and zeros either way.

0