Cable Questions

[JonnyUtah]

Is there a brand of cable anyone would recommend for hooking up my home theater system? I'm going to be using the component video from my receiver to plasma TV. I'll have everything going thru my Yamaha 5750 receiver, including DVD player & HDTV signal.

All I know about is Monster cable. Are they truly the best or is there another cable that is comparable without the large price tag? Are they considered good cables for speaker wire too?

Also, as far as hooking everything up, I'm assuming using the component video connection is the best way to go for video. For my DVD player, should I go with the Audio (L & R) cable or would I be better off with some sort of optical connection (or is that just for video?)

[DoubleDAZ]

You should read the FAQ on Cables and Connections (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=3529), so you understand what each is for.

That said, many HD receivers come with a set of Component cables, so you may not even have to buy any.

Monster now has several models in a wide range of prices, though they are still higher priced IMO than comparable sets from other makers and I wouldn't buy them for that reason alone. AR (Acoustic Research) is a widely respected brand available at a number of stores like Best Buy. I have a set of Monster's and I can tell no difference between it and the 'cheap' ones that came with my cable box (SA8300HD), though I do not know what brand they are. The only difference is the diameter of each cable, the Monster's being about double the cheap ones.

You can research prices online by checking various sites (Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Walmart, etc.) and search for 'component cables'. Best Buy and Circuit City have the wider selections and you can just pick up what fits your budget. If you want to buy online, there are any number of sites that sell cables (Pacific Cable, Cable Wholesale, etc.) that folks here and in other HDTV forums have recommended over the years.

Most speaker cabling is subject to the needs of the system being connected and how discerning the user is. What works fine for me and my system may not satisfy you at all. I put together my own speaker wires using 14 gauge (I believe) cable available at Lowe's or Home Depot and some quality connectors, mostly because i have a long run up the wall into my attic and then to my rear surrounds. I simply wanted all speaker cables to be the same.

If you have DVI or HDMI on your HD receiver and HDTV, that may give you a better video PQ than Component, again depending on your system. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell without actually hooking them up to see for yourself, though once you know what HD receiver you will be using, someone may be able to tell you of their experience, good or bad, with the same equipment.

Optical connections are for audio and should give you the best audio you can get out of your system.

Everyone is free to take pot shots at anything I've said, and I'm sure you will. :shootout:

[Ratman]

Optical connections are for audio and should give you the best audio you can get out of your system.

Everyone is free to take pot shots at anything I've said, and I'm sure you will.

Only "pot shot" I'll take is that optical OR digital coax are equal in regard to audio. Use which ever is practical.

[DoubleDAZ]

Only "pot shot" I'll take is that optical OR digital coax are equal in regard to audio. Use which ever is practical.That's very true and I should have mentioned that. Since he said optical, I guess I just didn't think about the coax digital connection. :)

[kevinw]

See the review I did for a cable. The compnay has good products at good prices.

[starbuck]

Agree with Acoustic research, been using some of there cables for a couple of years good stuff, no problems, cheap!! NXG makes some good ones too, I picked a 1 meter optical for $1:00. REALLY!!!NO JOKE!! You just have to shop around .

[JonnyUtah]

Great info. I'll read the recommended link, thanks.

In looking at Pacific Cable's website on speaker wires, they have several gauges to choose from. What would be a recommended gauge for running Infinity Modulus II surround sound system off of a Panasonic HT5750 receiver?

obviously the lower the gauge the better quality I'm assuming, due to the price?

[57U]

12 gauge should be good. Not expensive.

[kevinw]

Great info. I'll read the recommended link, thanks.

In looking at Pacific Cable's website on speaker wires, they have several gauges to choose from. What would be a recommended gauge for running Infinity Modulus II surround sound system off of a Panasonic HT5750 receiver?

obviously the lower the gauge the better quality I'm assuming, due to the price?
Try Home Depot Speaker wire by the foot....

[JonnyUtah]

12 gauge - home depot by the foot then?

I will check 'er out!