HDTV, BluRay, Verizon FIOS

[clutter]

How many HDMI cords do I need? Male both ends, right? I'm not going to see any of this until after christmas, so I need to get them ordered now.

Thanks!!!

 

[bicker]

First, you don't absolutely need an HDMI cable. There is only an imperceptible visual difference between HDMI cables and component video cables. The main difference is that with HDMI, you've got one cable for both audio and video, while otherwise you'd have perhaps five cables (red, green, blue, left, and right).

Second, how many cables you need (and of what types) will depend a lot on the specific components you have, and whether or not you have an A/V switcher. (I recently purchased my first, and it surely makes having a cable box/DVR and a Blu-ray Disc player a lot more convenient.) If you indicate the model numbers for the devices you're getting (for FiOS, just indicate what type of equipment you have requested, or already have), I can probably find the specs and give you some better insights.

Third, don't pay more than $4 per HDMI cable. You can find the correct cables you need, for that price, at monoprice.com.

 

[Golf4food]

Beyond all of Bicker's info:

Yes, HDMI cords have the same adapter at both ends (for the kind you would need).

We don't have FIOS, but we have DirecTV and our DVR has one HDMI cable to the TV and our Bluray/surround has an HDMI cable to the TV - two cables. If you have a video game system that is also high def like a PS3 then you'd have a third, and if your TV doesn't have enough HDMI slots you'd get a switch like Bicker mentioned.

And I can't reiterate enough to only buy HDMI cables from www.monoprice.com. Don't waste your money anywhere else, especially at a big box store. $3-4 is all you need to spend.

 

[JVL1018]

Oh can I hijack for a second?

We recently replaced our Cablevision DVR(HD) with Tivo HD and that came with the HDMI cable and the red/blue/green+red/white/yellow cables, said we could use either so I used the HDMI.

I bought my husband a Sony BluRay and it says the cables are not included, so can I just use those red/blue/green+red/white cables from the HD Tivo?

 

[bicker]

I would tend to swap the connections around (using the HDMI cable for the Blu-ray Player, and using the component cables for the DVR), but it really doesn't matter.

 

[JVL1018]

I would tend to swap the connections around (using the HDMI cable for the Blu-ray Player, and using the component cables for the DVR), but it really doesn't matter.

Thanks!

 

[Wall-E1]

I would say that if you purchased a HDTV, it would be foolish not to pay a few extra bucks for the HDMI cables. Isn't that the whole reason you purchased a HDTV? - You wanted the best image and sound, right? This can only be achieved with HDMI cables. I don't know what brand of tv you have, but there is a noticeable difference between component cables and hdmi connections in many tv's.

Hopefully your tv has at least two HDMI ports. Check to see how many you have. You would need one cable that goes from the bluray player to the tv. You would need another one that goes from your FIOS to the tv. So, based on the info you provided, you would need two HDMI cables. Of course, make sure that your tv has two hdmi ports.

I agree with not buying the real expensive cables. Best Buy sells cables for $100 or more. It's a rip off. I, however would not get the dirt cheap ones either. I have had friends who did this and ended up having quality issues. If you go to a Walmart, they have Phillips and Sony HDMI cables in the $20 - $30 range. I always get the braided Sony HDMI cables - just my personal preference. They are also on Amazon in that same price range.

The cords are both male ends - that is correct.

 

[bicker]

I would say that if you purchased a HDTV, it would be foolish not to pay a few extra bucks for the HDMI cables. Isn't that the whole reason you purchased a HDTV? - You wanted the best image and sound, right? This can only be achieved with HDMI cables.

Well, that's actually an open question. Even on the most persnickety A/V-oriented online forums, most folks acknowledge that the most significant difference between HDMI cables and component video cables is the one cable versus five cables aspect -- that the difference in picture quality, itself, is negligible. Also, there are actually a few advantages to component video. For example, component video cables do not suffer from HDCP handshake problems.

I agree with not buying the real expensive cables. Best Buy sells cables for $100 or more. It's a rip off. I, however would not get the dirt cheap ones either.

The $4 cables at monoprice.com are among the best quality cables on the market. Monoprice.com is in business to serve the aforementioned persnickety A/V-oriented people, but those who are not willing to overpay for a cable because having that cable is surrounded by mystique.

 

[mkel34]

If its a 6ft run it doesn't matter which hmdi cable you use. You can google tests done by many of the leading av mags. Gizmodo actually came to the result that the worst performing cables were the mid-priced ones ($20-30).I purchase all my cable from monoprice, like someone else posted cables should be <$5 a piece.

 

[Wall-E1]

Well, that's actually an open question. Even on the most persnickety A/V-oriented online forums, most folks acknowledge that the most significant difference between HDMI cables and component video cables is the one cable versus five cables aspect -- that the difference in picture quality, itself, is negligible. Also, there are actually a few advantages to component video. For example, component video cables do not suffer from HDCP handshake problems.

I was mentioning this point because when I recently purchased a hdtv, I was short a couple of HDMI cables. As a temporary measure, I hooked it up with the colored cables. I did notice a change in quality after I replaced them with the HDMI cables. So, on some tv's maybe its not that big of a change, but on others it may be. I just think that for a few extra dollars, why not get the cables that are the best quality for delivering picture and sound.

The $4 cables at monoprice.com are among the best quality cables on the market. Monoprice.com is in business to serve the aforementioned persnickety A/V-oriented people, but those who are not willing to overpay for a cable because having that cable is surrounded by mystique.

I actually had a friend that ordered from this sight and the HDMI cables just flat out didn't work. It may have just been a fluke, like a bad batch. I have also heard from people that are satisfied with them and other similar companies. Me personally, I'm not dumb enough to shell out the big bucks for the monster cables (again - complete rip off), but I guess I'm also not smart enough to get the dirt cheap ones. I just feel better buying a name brand at a local store, where if I have a problem, I can immediately take it back.

 

[bicker]

Very strange... please let me just note, then, that your experiences are not typical.

 

[Lewisc]

Monoprice doesn't offer free shipping, they can't at the prices they charge. When you order add enough extra "stuff" you might need in the future, until the shipping charge goes up. You can get more then 2 HDMI cables for the lowest (flat rate) shipping charge.

There is a be a big difference on how you connect your audio from your BR player and cable STB to your TV set or AV receiver. A pair of RCA cables (R L) won't give you much more then stereo. You'll need a digital cable for 5.1 and you'll have to use HDMI for the newer BR modes. Monoprice has everything.

 

[Golf4food]

Don't like the $4 or lower HDMI at Monoprice? No problem. Splurge a little and buy their $6 version instead.

Never had a problem with anything from monoprice at all, not just cables. Some people get lemon cars from Honda, too. Stuff happens.