dangrmous ([info]dangrmous) wrote in [info]damnportlanders,
@ 2008-02-29 10:55:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Current mood: hopeful

HDMI help
** EDIT: [info]nblsavage FTW! Got one from Big Lots for $12. Gold plated, six foot. **

So my house now has hi-def LCD fancyness, but I need to get an HDMI cable to enjoy it's full bounty. I walked into Fred Meyers to get one and was quite shocked to discover that they cost almost FIFTY F_CKING DOLLARS. Radio Shack was the same.

I'd really like to get a cable this weekend, so in town is ideal, but I'll order one off the intertubes if need be.

It's a pretty solid fleecing of the general public, IMHO - sell a $3 cable for $50. Go Retailers!

...and have a delightful weekend everyone! :D


(Post a new comment)


[info]emilytbm
2008-02-29 06:56 pm UTC (link)
Expensive but so worth it. Also, HD cable helps.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:00 pm UTC (link)
It's a multi-lead copper wire cable. There is no way in hell it's worth $50.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]bennomatic, 2008-02-29 07:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]bennomatic, 2008-02-29 07:27 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:55 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]bennomatic, 2008-02-29 08:01 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]catstab, 2008-02-29 08:07 pm UTC

[info]everanddespair
2008-02-29 06:59 pm UTC (link)
ENU has em ranging from $10 to $39. http://www.enuinc.com/

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:00 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! Have a fabbo weekend :D

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]everanddespair, 2008-02-29 07:04 pm UTC

[info]plaidomatic
2008-02-29 07:00 pm UTC (link)
Starting at $1 a foot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=HDMI%20cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:01 pm UTC (link)
Most excellent.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]mattdeath
2008-02-29 07:01 pm UTC (link)
yarr! Fry's has them for ~$15 or there's http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

But yeah, any retail place I know of will pretty much rape your face.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:04 pm UTC (link)
Thanks - I predict a Fry's trip this weekend...

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]mattdeath, 2008-03-01 04:31 am UTC

[info]derumi
2008-02-29 07:03 pm UTC (link)
Buy your cables from PCH Cables. They're* a store in Hillsboro that only sells through their website. You can still go to the store and pick up the product, or have it shipped to your home. My HDMI cables from there work just as well as that goddamn $60 3ft "gold"-plated cable I bought from some big box retailer.

In fact, the prices for the HDMI cables are so cheap, I'm about to re-order some (I've misplaced the two spares I bought, and can't figure out where I put them).

http://store.pchcables.com/

Looks like there's a sale on their front page for the cables right now.

*Actually, it's one guy frantically filling out many orders and shipping them out as soon as he can. Based on what I've seen when he still took walk-in sales.

Edited at 2008-02-29 07:04 pm UTC

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:04 pm UTC (link)
Thank you!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]freyis
2008-02-29 07:37 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for linking this site, I've been needing to get a new optical cable lately but don't want to pay for the gold plated hype crap. Cause you know. Gold plating makes light travel faster!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Yes! - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:41 pm UTC
Re: Yes! - [info]freyis, 2008-02-29 07:50 pm UTC
Re: Yes! - [info]derumi, 2008-02-29 07:55 pm UTC
Re: Yes! - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]derumi, 2008-02-29 08:28 pm UTC

[info]bizket
2008-02-29 08:56 pm UTC (link)
I was coming in here to say exactly this. I got my HDMI cable from them for $6.

(Reply to this)(Parent)
Go cheap
[info]nblsavage
2008-02-29 07:03 pm UTC (link)
If you have a Big Lots nearby, they've got them in the sub-$10 range. With digital cables there is no quality difference between a $10 cable and a $50. Either you get a picture or you don't.

(Reply to this)(Thread)
Re: Go cheap
[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:05 pm UTC (link)
Why, I think there's a Big Lots just up the road! I'll hit it on my lunch break. Thanks!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Re: Go cheap - [info]derumi, 2008-02-29 07:15 pm UTC
Re: Go cheap - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:17 pm UTC
Re: Go cheap - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 09:12 pm UTC
Re: Go cheap - [info]derumi, 2008-02-29 10:17 pm UTC
Re: Go cheap - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 10:51 pm UTC

[info]rainbowstars101
2008-02-29 07:22 pm UTC (link)
Do you have comcast? They specifically told me you don't need the cable, it's a scam. Course we got their HD box and they gave us a new cord with it. So I dunno.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]circumambulate
2008-02-29 07:27 pm UTC (link)
you don't need it, no, but the picture is substantially better than component.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-29 07:27 pm UTC (link)
I think they might tell you don't need to buy a cable in order to lease one to you, though.

Maybe I'm wrong; my TV came with one, so I didn't need to buy one separately.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]bright_new_skin, 2008-03-01 07:05 am UTC

[info]bizket
2008-02-29 09:06 pm UTC (link)
It depends on what you are doing.

If you have a hi-def television (meaning 720p, 720i, 1080p, or 1080i) standard video cables will not provide you with the resolution. You can still pull the signal but you will not get the HD quality.

The cables that work for providing full HD (as in the resolutions above) are as follows -

Component - These are the 'RCA' style cables that have red and white for sound, then green blue and red for video.
VGA - This is the same connection that you use for older computer monitors.
DVI - This is the connection used for newer (usually LCD) computer monitors.
HDMI - Exactly the same as DVI except it is a different shape connection and it can transmit the sound signal as well.

I used to work for a local international chip company doing hardware and software testing for home theater pcs. If any of you folks have any specific questions I might be able to answer them. What I wrote above is a very basic breakdown that I give to people with no experience with modern a/v setups.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]circumambulate
2008-02-29 07:26 pm UTC (link)
Can pull them off of ebay for very cheap - I got a pair of 3ft cables for <$10 shipped.

Cracks me up that anyone falls for the Monster-cable schtick for a digital signal.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]dangrmous
2008-02-29 07:28 pm UTC (link)
Cool- I'll check eBay if I come up empty here.

Yeah, it's sad they can scam people into thinking the ones and zeros are going to "look better" if you get a $60 gold plated cable :D

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]circumambulate
2008-02-29 07:29 pm UTC (link)
oh, another item of note - if you may have more than one HDMI source, like an upconverting DVD player, you can also get very inexpensive HDMI switchboxes off of eBay, and they usually include a couple of cables - may pay to plan ahead.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:31 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]circumambulate, 2008-02-29 07:35 pm UTC

[info]toadkiller
2008-02-29 07:43 pm UTC (link)
I buy all my cables from http://www.monoprice.com
You can't beat their prices and they are very reputable. People from AVS forums recommend them as well.

(Reply to this)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 07:57 pm UTC

[info]madscience
2008-02-29 09:00 pm UTC (link)
Check Free Geek. They mostly deal with computers but they also have lots of home theater stuff.

(Reply to this)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]dangrmous, 2008-02-29 09:04 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]peajayess, 2008-02-29 11:43 pm UTC

[info]trendywendy
2008-02-29 09:11 pm UTC (link)
www.newegg.com

The best prices, hands down.

(Reply to this)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]toadkiller, 2008-02-29 09:41 pm UTC

[info]_heynow
2008-03-01 06:58 am UTC (link)
apple has them for $19.99.

also, i agree with some others, frye's is a good place to look.

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…