Companies like Monster Cable were walking a fine line with their high priced analog cables because most people can’t tell the difference between gold plated, gas injected cable and coat hanger. But when the switch to digital started Monster was quick to cross way, way over that line by duping people into thinking they needed an overpriced cable to connect their HD devices. The problems is, HDMI is a digital signal and unlike analog signals (like composite video), it’s either there or it’s not. So, whether you have a $250 cable or a $6 cable your TV is going to look the same.
This is something that geeks have known all along but Monster, along with retailers like Best Buy, prey on the ignorance of consumers convincing them that they need grotesquely overhyped and overpriced cables.
You do not need a $250 HDMI cable, you don’t need a $50 HDMI cable: check out firefold.com or monoprice.com. I’ve personally bought from both and my TV has not blown up from the use of $6 cables.
And if your friends start harassing you for not buying into Monster’s bullshit show them this info graphic [via MintLife Blog]:
