SyZyGy
02-10-2002, 05:44 PM
Are monsters the ones to get?
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View Full Version : What are the best cables out there?
AUMMitsu
02-10-2002, 11:04 PM
i have a mix of both Monster Cables and generic ones and I cant really tell the difference, but you might want to try Bettercables.com (http://www.bettercables.com/) Very high quality, not cheap but less expensive, and they have great service.
ZeroDegreeK
02-11-2002, 11:50 PM
What price range are you looking at.
Cables can go from free to $100 a foot.
Cables can go from free to $100 a foot.
kevinw
02-18-2002, 01:13 PM
Go to your local Target store for inexpensive but very usable cables. Or make your own with rg-6 cables and connecters from Radio Shack.
ZeroDegreeK
02-18-2002, 01:40 PM
If you are looking for cheap cables with good performance. The Radio Shack Gold Series are nice. Parts Express also puts out a nice cable. Their Dayton line are very respectable, and they look good too. A Dayton 6 foot component will run you about 25 bucks. In my opinion, they are every bit as good as the monster cables (all marketing hype)
kevinw
02-18-2002, 02:10 PM
The Target cables are very similar to RS but much less expensive. 6ft component from less than 20 dollars.
ZeroDegreeK
02-18-2002, 02:24 PM
Originally posted by kevinw
The Target cables are very similar to RS but much less expensive. 6ft component from less than 20 dollars.
Oh yea, I forgot to mention the deal with the RS component cables. If you buy the RS component cables, they are around $39.00. However, the component cables are just 3 RCA video cables bunched together and color coded RGB. You can buy the RS RCA cable for around 5 dollars. Just color code them yourself and hold them together with some twist ties. It won't look pretty, but all that stuff is hidden anyway.
I guess they jack the price up on the component cables because only high end TVs have the connections and if you have the $$$$ for the TV then you won't mind spending for the cables.
The Target cables are very similar to RS but much less expensive. 6ft component from less than 20 dollars.
Oh yea, I forgot to mention the deal with the RS component cables. If you buy the RS component cables, they are around $39.00. However, the component cables are just 3 RCA video cables bunched together and color coded RGB. You can buy the RS RCA cable for around 5 dollars. Just color code them yourself and hold them together with some twist ties. It won't look pretty, but all that stuff is hidden anyway.
I guess they jack the price up on the component cables because only high end TVs have the connections and if you have the $$$$ for the TV then you won't mind spending for the cables.
kevinw
02-18-2002, 02:27 PM
There is a bit better shielding on the ones labled component...:cool:
ZeroDegreeK
02-18-2002, 02:34 PM
Originally posted by kevinw
There is a bit better shielding on the ones labled component...:cool:
Oh NO, they suckered you in too.;)
There is a bit better shielding on the ones labled component...:cool:
Oh NO, they suckered you in too.;)
kevinw
02-18-2002, 02:46 PM
NO I DID NOT BUY THEM THEY WERE JUST THICKER
I got mine at Target:D
I got mine at Target:D
dave420
06-27-2002, 08:42 PM
First off Yes monsters are overhyped. I have a component set for my PS2 and its sweet but not worth it i only bought it becasue they were the only ones to make them besides playstations own brand.
Now... the component chords ARE better. They have a larger bandwith. You can use the RCA's for non- hd sources or non progressive sources, but as soon as you hook up a progressive or HD input youll have some problems. I think The Component (RGB) are rated at 75ohm and the composite (RCA) are only like 40. Otherwise they should work. But if youre gonna use composite by a top brand and that should equal component
There's not a significant difference, in moderate to expensive cables
until.....
1. Build quality. Buy something that can survive being unplugged and replugged.
2. Inductance. This is a conductor NOT an antenna. Sheilding stops other cables picking up stray signals. This is significant if you must route a signal past a strong source: poorly sheilded CRTs, computers, power supplies etc. Rarely is a simple power cable a problem unless it's connected to a really dirty device: washing machine, vacuum cleaner, lathe. Typical signal strengths for A/V equipment are so low that inductance is rarely a problem in normal lenght cables.
3. Capacitance. "Smears" a/c signals. Extremely low capacitance materials are very cheap. This shouldn't be a problem for any cable. Digital signals are less likely to be affected.
4. Resistance. Length is the major factor here. In the <3m length range there shouldn't be much difference between cables. Don't mix cable types over the same run though. Make sure all parallel signals suffer the same loss.
When you are running very long lengths. the last three factors become more significant. With resistance and inductance being the major problems.
Now... the component chords ARE better. They have a larger bandwith. You can use the RCA's for non- hd sources or non progressive sources, but as soon as you hook up a progressive or HD input youll have some problems. I think The Component (RGB) are rated at 75ohm and the composite (RCA) are only like 40. Otherwise they should work. But if youre gonna use composite by a top brand and that should equal component
There's not a significant difference, in moderate to expensive cables
until.....
1. Build quality. Buy something that can survive being unplugged and replugged.
2. Inductance. This is a conductor NOT an antenna. Sheilding stops other cables picking up stray signals. This is significant if you must route a signal past a strong source: poorly sheilded CRTs, computers, power supplies etc. Rarely is a simple power cable a problem unless it's connected to a really dirty device: washing machine, vacuum cleaner, lathe. Typical signal strengths for A/V equipment are so low that inductance is rarely a problem in normal lenght cables.
3. Capacitance. "Smears" a/c signals. Extremely low capacitance materials are very cheap. This shouldn't be a problem for any cable. Digital signals are less likely to be affected.
4. Resistance. Length is the major factor here. In the <3m length range there shouldn't be much difference between cables. Don't mix cable types over the same run though. Make sure all parallel signals suffer the same loss.
When you are running very long lengths. the last three factors become more significant. With resistance and inductance being the major problems.
jeremy_e
09-23-2002, 01:38 PM
have you actually taken the back of of you tv and looked at the cables they use? really small diameter, very little protection and all bunched together.
Buy cables that have a high quality conductor the rest is just garbage and hype.
Buy cables that have a high quality conductor the rest is just garbage and hype.
AdminJoe
09-23-2002, 10:23 PM
Bettercables.com or Monster Cables!
Look for the banners on top of the page as well...
I got some component cables from both of them, and they are incredible..
Look for the banners on top of the page as well...
I got some component cables from both of them, and they are incredible..
Peder
10-05-2002, 07:58 PM
Hello, this is my first post here and I'm not here to sell my cables.
I do not recomend any brand but a thumb of rule is to invest 10-15% of the price of your system in good high quality cables. Would you consider buying tires from Sears on your new Ferrari? :D
I do not recomend any brand but a thumb of rule is to invest 10-15% of the price of your system in good high quality cables. Would you consider buying tires from Sears on your new Ferrari? :D
pcoffman
10-06-2002, 01:31 AM
Good reply. I feel the same way.
kevinw
10-06-2002, 01:11 PM
I Do not own a Ferrari but I would buy My TV from Sears.
" I do not recomend any brand but a thumb of rule is to invest 10-15% of the price of your system in good high quality cable"
Sounds good but what is it based upon? I can switch my Monster S-video cables with the Sv cable that came with my DISH PVr and can see no difference with my DVD player or my PVR.
The rule should be pay what you want but do not buy because of hype.
" I do not recomend any brand but a thumb of rule is to invest 10-15% of the price of your system in good high quality cable"
Sounds good but what is it based upon? I can switch my Monster S-video cables with the Sv cable that came with my DISH PVr and can see no difference with my DVD player or my PVR.
The rule should be pay what you want but do not buy because of hype.
Ratman
10-06-2002, 04:20 PM
... and if it's a Porche or a Cadillac or a VW beetle,
when you need oil, 10W40 will work whether it's "Quaker State", "Pennzoil" or "Valvoline". I would not to use "K-Mart" brand oil. Nor would I pay $10 a quart for "Monster Oil".
when you need oil, 10W40 will work whether it's "Quaker State", "Pennzoil" or "Valvoline". I would not to use "K-Mart" brand oil. Nor would I pay $10 a quart for "Monster Oil".
Peder
10-06-2002, 04:42 PM
Kevin,
I can't answer for Monster but with Ultralink Cables you will see major difference in picture quality. You should try a high quality video cable and if you don't feel it's worth the extra money well just return it and get your money back.
I can't answer for Monster but with Ultralink Cables you will see major difference in picture quality. You should try a high quality video cable and if you don't feel it's worth the extra money well just return it and get your money back.
