Best Component Video Cables?

[FunFamily]

Friends:

What are your recommendations as to brand and store for component cables?

Do the high end ones make a substantial difference, or should I buy the least expensive set at Wal-Mart or on eBay?

Thanks in advance,
FunFamily

 

[Dan Murphy]

I used Monster brand throughout. Don't know if they are the best, but work for me.

 

[Alex]

The monster cable is good stuff if really expensive. The quality of cable you need is NOT a simple answer because it should be in proportion to the rest of your equipment. If you have really good high end stuff you would want to get cables to match.
The best cables if you have to run any distance are actually home made with coax cable and special connectors, that's what they use in the TV studios and it's cheaper than monster cable. If you do a search on some of the home theater forums you can find instructions. I had to run a cable about 35 feet and that is how I did it, works perfect.

 

[FunFamily]

Alex, good point about gear. Let me then add that I will be conecting an average progressive scan DVD player to an EDTV. The cable run will be about 10 feet. Thanks.

 

[Alex]

If it's a 10 foot run with average equipment the monster cable or the acoustic research that best buy carries and is a little cheaper will be more than fine!

 

[Dan Murphy]

This may help a bit, FF. http://audioholics.com/techtips/buyingguides/interconnects/cable_budget.php If you have better than low line equipment (EDTV, component video), don't minimize the delivery system as mentioned in your above post of 'least expensive set'. Most middle-of-the-road cable and above should do nicely for you. Enjoy.

 

[Alex]

actually the best home theater tip I have ever gotten was to use a testing disk with a sound level meter. It proved to me that it is impossible to set your system up by "ear". Even on a lower end system the difference was staggering and on a high end system... WOW...
A good one is the Avia disk you can buy at Amazon.

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by Alex
actually the best home theater tip I have ever gotten was to use a testing disk with a sound level meter. It proved to me that it is impossible to set your system up by "ear". Even on a lower end system the difference was staggering and on a high end system... WOW...
A good one is the Avia disk you can buy at Amazon.

You are SO correct Alex. I work in the hifi industry, in a company with about 3000 retail salespeople, and I think there are 2 or 3 of them who can set stuff up by ear. But they are also known in the company as the Golden Ears.

Most of the mid-range Monster stuff will be just fine for what you want to do FunFamily. I am not as familiar with the AR cables, but I have heard good things about them.

 

[FunFamily]

Thanks fellow DISers.

Any thoughts on the best place to purchase Monster or AR?

Also, I remain in the market for a progressive scan multi-disc dvd player (ideally slim and silver). Any thoughts?

Have a great weekend.

Take care,
FunFamily

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have this one, an earlier model version from a number of years back and am very pleased with it. Not silver though.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...yName=hav_DVD_DVDPlayers&ProductSKU=DVPNC685V

Prices sure have dropped, LOL.

 

[Shutterbug]

I bought a set of silver serpent component cables from BetterCables.com

I compared them against the monster cables while watching
Star Wars Episode 2.

The silver serpent set gave me a better picture.
They are pricey for around 100.00

 

[jvas]

Phoenix Gold makes great CV and audio cables.
If you really want to get elaborate (and you have an high end system) you might want to try oxygen free audio cable.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I have Monster THX Ultra's in my system and mostly Monster Cable throughout. They are certainly not the cheapest, and they are by no means the most expensive. If you want to get really nuts take a look at Nordost. When I get my B&K Receiver then I'll upgrade my cables again. Like that'll happen anytime soon.