Up-converting DVD players....

[shawn474]

For the up-converting DVD players (I just ordered the OPPO 981), do you HAVE to use the HDMI cable to get the "up-conversion" or can you use and S-video cable? I realize that there may be a difference in image quality, but I cannot access the crawlspace where my wires are run because I am still recovering from back surgery. Also, I need a 20 to 25 foot HDMI cable and don't have the funds right now. Just wondering if the S-video cable that is presently run will still up-convert the DVD's or if the HDMI is required to do so. Thanks for your help.

[PolkThug]

I believe S-video only does 480. Get your HDMI cable from a computer store.

[shawn474]

PT,
Why is that? Are they cheaper there? I was going to just order one from monoprice.com because with the "modestness" of my system, I don't believe that a better cable will necessarily produce a noticable difference.

Thanks.

[Ricardo]

You can get a HDMI cable that lenght for less than $40; just shop around.....and get somebody to help you hook it up.

Someone posted recently a link to a cheap cables store...too lazy to look for it now.

Found it; and guess what...it was YOU :) Post # 5

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46883&highlight=cheap+cables

[PolkWannabie]

The 981 ships with a fairly decent HDMI cable ... although it's not 20-25' ... I think they have longer cables available and while it's not videophile category it's also not sphaghetti either ...

[Sami]

Digital cable, the signal either gets there or it doesn't. You're not going to get better picture with "better" cable so don't waste money on expensive HDMI cable.

[aba4430]

I bought two of these cables. They appear solid and well finished. Plus I have had no issues with performance. I have these going to my Sony from a cable box and a Panasonic DVD-S97 upconverting player. Price is reasonable.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024002&p_id=2219&seq=1&format=2&style=

aba4430

[shawn474]

HTrookie,
Yeah that was me. They happen to be out of stock of the one that I need. For the time being, I will settle for the S-video connection until I can afford and be able to run the HDMI cable. I would ask my wife to do it but I have everything neatly run and in a jacket and am nit-picky about that kind of thing.
Sami, I know there is some debate to that, but like I said with my system I don't think that a better cable will make a noticable difference.

Thanks everyone.

[Sami]

HTrookie,
Sami, I know there is some debate to that, but like I said with my system I don't think that a better cable will make a noticable difference.
If you see a difference, it will be very noticeable. If someone sees "a slight difference" in PQ by swithing to more expensive cable, it's all in the head, not on the screen. Buy a cheaper cable with confidence, you're not missing anything in PQ.

[disneyjoe7]

As far as fishing the cable around, if you didn't give the old cable some cable nails you could use the old cable to fish in the new cable. Just tape the ends together and pull the other end out ;)

[dipiazza]

Get the cheapest one you can find. Digital is digital. Its eithere there or it isnt. never buy a pricey optical cable either. No change in picture quality.

btw shawn i know jack about hdmi...

-Jake

Get better fool!

[mlhm5]

Digital cable, the signal either gets there or it doesn't. You're not going to get better picture with "better" cable so don't waste money on expensive HDMI cable.

Amen!

"...experts are in agreement that most cables that claim to improve the sound of audio equipment don't. Even cables costing thousands of dollars per foot are often little more than sonic snake oil, experts say."
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/...es/23down.html

"you may choose to pay outlandish prices to get something that looks amazing, and demonstrates to everyone how much money you have, but it will not make a magical difference to the sound, there will be few (if any) real differences in the electrical characteristics, and it will sound much the same as "lesser" cables, selling at perhaps 100th of the price."
http://sound.westhost.com/cables.htm

"...all well designed interconnects sound identical."
http://sound.westhost.com/cablewhitepaper.htm

[shawn474]

Jake, I'm trying man. This sh!t is no joke!!!!!

This wasn't what I wanted to happen; I think this forum has has its' share of cable debates. My question was just where to find a cheap one while monoprice is out of stock. I agree with everyone's assertion so far that cables don't make a difference, but I can also be honest in telling you that the only reason I won't compare is because I don't nearly have the money to invest in them. So, in my mind, I may just be trying to justify it by saying "more expensive cables don't make a difference." There are many that I have heard and respect that say they do make a difference and many that I have heard from and respect that say they don't. All I know is that my budget won't allow me to convince myself that more expensive is better so my mind is made up.

[disneyjoe7]

I don't think Digital is Digital all the time, I know Digital can work with errors so this has to be bad for any input receive. The more errors the worst the output is. IMHO

[McLoki]

I will stay out of the cable debate except to say - form your own opinion on the matter.

For the cheap HDMI cable - Blue Jeans Cable has some pretty cheap (http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm) (not monoprice cheap, but better than best buy).

25' is about $52

Michael

[mark g. nelson]

I agree I have 2 Blue Jeans 15' HDMI cables and they are great quality and their service is the best I've seen. Less then 48 hours on delivery.

[Ferres]

I don't think Digital is Digital all the time, I know Digital can work with errors so this has to be bad for any input receive. The more errors the worst the output is. IMHO

Then the error would more likely come from the source.
The big issue with HDMI cables before where the bad connectors that caused 'drops'. I believe it's all got ironed out by now.

If you want better picture quality, start with the power. Mains noise are big culprits.:p

[disneyjoe7]

Ferres,

I also work in another field and digital optical or coax can have errors (bad cable) I would think also refraction of light in optical cables, vs poor coax cables with impedance issues crappy connections would have a negative effect on sound.


BTW drops are error // too many errors to true signal.

[Sami]

I don't think Digital is Digital all the time, I know Digital can work with errors so this has to be bad for any input receive. The more errors the worst the output is. IMHO
That's why I said if there is a difference, it will be very visible. Errors will be... so the cable either works or doesn't, if it drops packages it doesn't work. :)

I have an opinion about audio cables as well but I'm stating this only for HDMI cables, I don't either want to get into the holy war of audio cables.

I can't remember where I bought mine but here are some cheap ones for 25ft:
http://www.cablewholesale.com/specs/hdmi-01125.htm
http://www.microwaves.com/USCP/HDMI25Price.html
http://www.cablesshop.com/hdmatomaca25.html
http://www.hammerimports.com/item.php?id=171&name=HDMI_Cable_HDMI_to_HDMI_Video_Hi-Grade_24K_Gold_Tip_CL_Rated_25_Feet


If you have a really long run and the connection starts to drop, there is always this:
http://www.riteav.com/product_info.php?cPath=47_48_58&products_id=239&osCsid=d696851c7864164c904bcff46c565ed3

I just wonder how it works as described, maybe some of the EE's here can share some light to it:
"Uses power from the HDMI bus to amplify an HDMI signal"