43 replies to this topic

[eVader]

Bought a HDMI auto detect switch for work monitors and to get the free shipping considered adding HDMI cables which are generally a few bucks so long as they don't say Monster on them and found some for .15! Holy cats that is cheap and would push me to get free shipping HOWEVER they ship from eforcecity.com and each cable had a shipping cost of $6.81!!!!! Funny how these bargain sites and sellers set pricing.

[mando]

My HDMI cables were FREE from UVerse. Early on, we switched our UVerse box connections to component video due to known compatibility issues. The technician just left the original HDMI cables behind. They are well built and, I'd like to think, checked out by some AT&T engineers prior to large-scale distribution (telco hardware always seems a bit overbuilt)

[StevePT]

Yes it really is all that (assuming you have an HDTV, preferably 1080p)

[glad2Bme]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am now impressed with blu-ray and I'm happy with our Toshiba LCD. It seems like pixar movies really come to life on this even though they are not blu-ray.

We've only seen the Half Blood Prince on blu-ray so far, but look forward to renting something this weekend. I can't tell if my HDMI cables are category 2 or not, and the packaging didn't specify other than 1.3, but my system does tell me we're running at full HD.

[FolsomMom50]

I can’t tell you the technical reason but my husband swears it’s better and I can even tell the difference.

[rpo]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am now impressed with blu-ray and I'm happy with our Toshiba LCD. It seems like pixar movies really come to life on this even though they are not blu-ray.

We've only seen the Half Blood Prince on blu-ray so far, but look forward to renting something this weekend. I can't tell if my HDMI cables are category 2 or not, and the packaging didn't specify other than 1.3, but my system does tell me we're running at full HD.

The version number on HDMI is mostly relating to copy protection changes to keep people from recording the signal.

[stangage70]

The version number on HDMI is mostly relating to copy protection changes to keep people from recording the signal.

I disagree...

The content protection mechanism (not copy protection) of HDCP has been essentially the same since the first HDMI spec.

1.1 added support for DVD-Audio
1.2 added support for SACD (DSD)
1.3 added support for Deep color, HD audio (DD True HD, DTS MA), higher frequencies, lip-sync, and higher frequencies
1.4 added 4K resolution, stereoscopic 3D, and ethernet connectivity

Category 2 cables are allegedly certified to higher frequencies.

[rpo]

I disagree...

The content protection mechanism (not copy protection) of HDCP has been essentially the same since the first HDMI spec.

1.1 added support for DVD-Audio
1.2 added support for SACD (DSD)
1.3 added support for Deep color, HD audio (DD True HD, DTS MA), higher frequencies, lip-sync, and higher frequencies
1.4 added 4K resolution, stereoscopic 3D, and ethernet connectivity

Category 2 cables are allegedly certified to higher frequencies.

Ah, I was wrong then. I have never sent audio through an HDMI cable so I have never looked into it that deep. Good to know.

[stangage70]

I have never sent audio through an HDMI cable so I have never looked into it that deeply.

HDMI is effectively the only reasonable way to get the HD audio codecs' digital output to a receiver (bit stream or multi-channel PCM). Otherwise you would be looking for a player with analog connections (audio decoded in the player) and loose some of the receiver goodness (i.e. auto room correction).

I love the HD audio as much as the HD picture of Bluray.

[rpo]

HDMI is effectively the only reasonable way to get the HD audio codecs' digital output to a receiver (bit stream or multi-channel PCM). Otherwise you would be looking for a player with analog connections (audio decoded in the player) and loose some of the receiver goodness (i.e. auto room correction).

I love the HD audio as much as the HD picture of Bluray.

I actually use optical connections for all audio, so I am not losing any quality at all.

[stangage70]

I actually use optical connections for all audio, so I am not losing any quality at all.

Guess again... Optical SPDIF will not carry the newer HD audio capabilities! The best there would be DTS re-encode at 1.5 Mbs (same as found on regular DVD's).

[rpo]

Guess again... Optical SPDIF will not carry the newer HD audio capabilities! The best there would be DTS re-encode at 1.5 Mbs (same as found on regular DVD's).

I actually am not, as none of my audio/video sources use uncompressed audio exceeding 2 channels. All surround sound channels are compressed to DD or DTS 5.1 prior to hitting the cable, ruining any benefit of using an HDMI cable for audio.

[stangage70]

I actually am not, as none of my audio/video sources use uncompressed audio exceeding 2 channels. All surround sound channels are compressed to DD or DTS 5.1 prior to hitting the cable, ruining any benefit of using an HDMI cable for audio.

If you are not using HD-DVD, Bluray, SACD, or DVD-A; then your audio is fine with SPDIF interfaces. I guess I made an assumption you were using high-definition media.

[rpo]

If you are not using HD-DVD, Bluray, SACD, or DVD-A; then your audio is fine with SPDIF interfaces. I guess I made an assumption you were using high-definition media.

Well, I am, just from a HTPC which does not have audio over HDMI support. I doubt I could hear the difference anyways, so it does not matter to me.