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HDMI Cables?

dmclone said:
BTW-If someone is obsessed with buying a name brand HDMI cable. Here is a monster brand 15 foot cable for $30. It's normally $130! Seriously $130 because it says Monster. What a scam.

Newegg.com - Monster - High Speed HDMI cable - 16 FEET - Audio Video Cables
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I too agree that they are largely a waste, but for long distances, higher quality cables CAN make a difference for some video formats, but generally just for stuff that's way out there in the stratosphere.

In short, it's like putting $10,000 carbon fiber brakes from an F1 car on your Camry.
 
jumbopackage said:
I too agree that they are largely a waste, but for long distances, higher quality cables CAN make a difference for some video formats, but generally just for stuff that's way out there in the stratosphere.

In short, it's like putting $10,000 carbon fiber brakes from an F1 car on your Camry.
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Yeah, they can make a difference for some formats, but not HDMI. Digital formats don't lose quality over distance. If you're using component, composite, or s-video then yeah high quality cables make a difference.
 
Got this 40" Sony TV for the bedroom from Newegg.com in September for $999 shipped. Sony at the time was selling it regular price for $1599 (now regularly $1299, on sale for $1099). Funny thing on Newegg was the next day, the price went back up to $1599. :)

Love the picture and, it's got eithernet connection on it. Ready for streamed Netflix direct to the TV (currently has some online video/widgets).

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665746342
 
agrabes said:
Yeah, they can make a difference for some formats, but not HDMI. Digital formats don't lose quality over distance. If you're using component, composite, or s-video then yeah high quality cables make a difference.
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HDMI does lose quality over distance, actually. It's just usually not apparent to users because they are using short cables at relatively low bitrates (i.e. 1080p and below).

The signal has to be transported via electric current, and at very high bitrates, low quality cables can create noise and distortion in the signal that can result in data loss (i.e. the receiver not being able to discern a 0 from a 1) , which results in typical "blockiness" or stuttering that you see when digital signals drop out. HDMI doesn't have error correction, either, so there is a double whammy when it comes to signal issues.

It's generally only a problem for long distances (i.e. 5m or more) and high bitrates (i.e. stuff above 1080p), but HDMI certainly does benefit from "higher quality" cables in those, admittedly, limited situations.
 
Back to TV's for a minute... has anyone bought a TV from Bestbuy/Bestbuy.com?

How about Amazon?

What I'm wondering about is returns/servicing/extended warrenties/etc... what is worth it, what isn't, and ease of use of the services. Amazon has a TV I'm looking at for $100 cheaper (Best buy has to charge Tax/slightly more expensive, though they're throwing in a Blu-Ray player), but I get a nice feeling knowing that Best Buy has a store 5 miles up the road, which is something Amazon does not.

Is there any value to purchasing from a store vs online for a big purchase like this?
 
Flag Guy said:
Back to TV's for a minute... has anyone bought a TV from Bestbuy/Bestbuy.com?

How about Amazon?

What I'm wondering about is returns/servicing/extended warrenties/etc... what is worth it, what isn't, and ease of use of the services. Amazon has a TV I'm looking at for $100 cheaper (Best buy has to charge Tax/slightly more expensive, though they're throwing in a Blu-Ray player), but I get a nice feeling knowing that Best Buy has a store 5 miles up the road, which is something Amazon does not.

Is there any value to purchasing from a store vs online for a big purchase like this?
Click to expand...

If the prices are close, i would go with the local for the reasons you mentioned. Often though, you can save a few hundred to several hundred by going the amazon route, which was worth it to me. I havent had any problems with my tv from them, so i cant comment on warranty\service issues though.
 
Flag Guy said:
Back to TV's for a minute... has anyone bought a TV from Bestbuy/Bestbuy.com?

How about Amazon?

What I'm wondering about is returns/servicing/extended warrenties/etc... what is worth it, what isn't, and ease of use of the services. Amazon has a TV I'm looking at for $100 cheaper (Best buy has to charge Tax/slightly more expensive, though they're throwing in a Blu-Ray player), but I get a nice feeling knowing that Best Buy has a store 5 miles up the road, which is something Amazon does not.

Is there any value to purchasing from a store vs online for a big purchase like this?
Click to expand...

I buy nearly everything online but I refuse to buy TV's online. IMO it's just to big of a PITA if something goes wrong. I'm not a big fan of BB so I usually just buy from American or Costco (best return policy). I have bought a projector online.
 
Flag Guy said:
Back to TV's for a minute... has anyone bought a TV from Bestbuy/Bestbuy.com?

How about Amazon?

What I'm wondering about is returns/servicing/extended warrenties/etc... what is worth it, what isn't, and ease of use of the services. Amazon has a TV I'm looking at for $100 cheaper (Best buy has to charge Tax/slightly more expensive, though they're throwing in a Blu-Ray player), but I get a nice feeling knowing that Best Buy has a store 5 miles up the road, which is something Amazon does not.

Is there any value to purchasing from a store vs online for a big purchase like this?
Click to expand...

Even they are close, I haven't had much luck with any customer service from Best Buy.
The only good return policy is the one you don't have to use.
 
dmclone said:
I buy nearly everything online but I refuse to buy TV's online. IMO it's just to big of a PITA if something goes wrong. I'm not a big fan of BB so I usually just buy from American or Costco (best return policy). I have bought a projector online.
Click to expand...
I've picked up a tv from a store, and done one online.
It was a much bigger PITA to get a 37" tv in the back of my saturn than it would have been to return the one online....
Sure is nice to have it delivered to the front door.
 
MNclone said:
I've picked up a tv from a store, and done one online.
It was a much bigger PITA to get a 37" tv in the back of my saturn than it would have been to return the one online....
Sure is nice to have it delivered to the front door.
Click to expand...


Thats where the free delievery comes in handy :wink:

No way I pick up a 47" TV in my Hyundai Elantra
 
Flag Guy said:
Thanks for the feedback guys, I will have to pay attention to the contrast ratios next time I window shop (I want to buy a new TV... but it'd be easier for me to afford it if I'd quit flying out to Cyclone games :rolleyes:)
Click to expand...

Stated contrast ratios are bogus. Not kidding.
 
MNclone said:
I've picked up a tv from a store, and done one online.
It was a much bigger PITA to get a 37" tv in the back of my saturn than it would have been to return the one online....
Sure is nice to have it delivered to the front door.
Click to expand...

If everything goes perfect than the online experience is fine.


When I bought it from American they opened up the box so make sure there wasn't damage. If I would have gotten home and the TV wasn't performing as expected it would take me 10 minutes to return the TV and get a replacement. What would I have done if I had bought that TV from Amazon? How long would I wait for a replacement? I would have to work with UPS to come and get the TV?
 
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