HD Interconnects

[TheCake]

Any good websites for browsing high quality interconnects? I know a setup is nothing without investing in decent cabling and I know the Sky HD HDMI cable is bound to be crap so where should I go looking for something which is going to give me the best quality?

 

[Daz]

I'm sure I'll get lynched, but it's digital?

Surely digital is digital is digital? Do cables make a difference on 1's and 0's?


*runs*

 

[Clart]

he's right ya know. if a £2 cable works, you aint gonna get any better with a £100 cable.

 

[TheCake]

To be fair, if that were the case why does my £5 coax cable at my mates house look considerably worse than than the £35 replacement he got the other week... *confused too*

 

[Daz]

To be fair, if that were the case why does my £5 coax cable at my mates house look considerably worse than than the £35 replacement he got the other week... *confused too*

Coax between what?

I know, I've never understood it either - but, people claim it makes a diff?

 

[TheCake]

Between a digital amp (Yamaha decent one) and a digital TV (HD Panasonic) (meant component - typo) forgive me.

 

[Evil Ally]

If a digital interconnect works without artifacting, there's absolutley no point in buying one at twice the price. I would assume that Sky provide a cable that works, so there will be no benefit what so ever in replacing it.

 

[TheCake]

Myth or True? Any of the real hard core guys care to help?

Playing an upscaled DVD the other day, the £35 cable made the picture noticably sharper than the £5. We checked numerous times, you know, in case it was a mind over matter thing. There is a noticable difference dispite them both ultimately being the same product.

 

[Evil Ally]

If an HDMI interconnect is causing quality problems, it usually takes the form of snow, drop outs or something else fairly obvious. This could happen in a situation where the cable run is too long or there is some sort or EMI. Are you sure it was an HDMI interconnect?

 

[TheCake]

My example was the component cable at my friends house, I am just presuming and asking peoples opinions with regard to my HDMI cable bud.

 

[Evil Ally]

That explains it, the component cable is an analogue interconnect. In this case you will see varying degrees of quality depending on the cable. If you are using HDMI without any of the above mentioned problems then you have nothing to worry about

 

[TheCake]

Ahhhh thanks bud. I was under the impression component was digital? Just looked on Wiki - how wrong was I! In which case Evil Ally, whats the best way of connecting my Xbox 360 to my TV? VGA cable?

 

[Evil Ally]

Nah, it's analogue. HDMI/DVI are the only TV digital interconnects I believe.

 

[Evil Ally]

Not sure mate, I have never set eyes on one! I heard a rumour there was an HDMI version on it's way? Don't know if it's true or not!

 

[TheCake]

Ahhh ok then. My TV has Analog Coaxial(RF), Component Video, Front A/V (Composite), HDMI, SCART and VGA inputs.

 

[Evil Ally]

Have you checked out www.avforums.com? I would say definitely worth a read if you're putting new gear together.

 

[TheCake]

Ahhh I do browse there - just know we have resident geeks which I'd call upon

 

[Evil Ally]

True, if we're discussing HDMI interconnects on a Friday night, then yes we are probably geeks

 

[dk]

Ahhh ok then. My TV has Analog Coaxial(RF), Component Video, Front A/V (Composite), HDMI, SCART and VGA inputs.

gotta be component for me, although it seems to be a pretty even split between vga and component, some people prefer one, the rest the other. I find vga has washed out colours but component is nice a vivid, some say component is not as sharp, i would disagree

so its best to try both if you can as there is no right or wrong answer, its down to personal preference and your tv.

 

[TheCake]

Damn it. Our secret is out *runs*... says he looking at the space where his TV will go (out of stock - see my TV thread), Sky HD box will sit (see my Sky thread), media unit will be (out of stock... couldn't be arsed to create thread) in a total warzone of a room. Haha.

 

[TheCake]

Ta Dave. I'm going to pick up the VGA and then give it a test out with the 360 and Sky HD and see which comes back the more natural.

 

[dk]

Ta Dave. I'm going to pick up the VGA and then give it a test out with the 360 and Sky HD and see which comes back the more natural.

thought sky HD had to be HDMI?

 

[TheCake]

Yeah it is good point chief. I'm tired. lol.