I just bought a Samsung 40A650 LCD. It is my first HDTV that I have ever owned. My cable company just gave me a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250 HD cable box, but gave me no wires. I have it connected using a Coaxial cable.

I would like to upgrade the connection to HDMI, but know very little. I am hoping that there is a helpful guide online that has a lot of helpful information letting me know the different kinds of HDMI cables. Also Do I need one kind of HDMI cable for HDTV and another kind for a Blue-ray player (i.e. PS3)? I also see that Monster Cables are no different than cheaper cables, but are there certain cheap cables that are actually, cheap and should be avoided?

Instead of reading all the threads here, I am hoping that my questions above and other useful information is located in a useful guide in one place like HDMI for dummies. Does anyone know of such a guide?

Purchase all your HDMI cables from monoprice.com or Blue Jeans.

HDMI cables marked as 1.3 or 1.3a compliant meet the latest specifications (even if some players and displays do not! ;) ).

The monoprice cable shown below (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024007&p_id=4021&seq=1&format=2) comes in many colors and lengths. The one shown is 3ft long and costs $4.49 ... never, ever pay more than those guys charge.

http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/40211.jpg

I heard monoprice HDMI cables use ferrite cores that I was told by a friend to avoid, is he wrong? What is the difference between 1.3 and 1.3a?

I heard monoprice HDMI cables use ferrite cores that I was told by a friend to avoid, is he wrong?Yes, he is wrong - unless he has no radio-frequency interference issues and considers the added size and weight of the ferrites to be bothersome. They certainly do not restrict the performance in any way.

IAC, not all of the monoprice cables offer ferrites.What is the difference between 1.3 and 1.3a?Nothing to concern yourself about but Wikipedia has a summary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Versions) of the various versions up through 1.3b1 !

HDMI.org also has an FAQ on the differences (http://www.hdmi.org/learningcenter/faq.aspx#112) which summarizes:

Q. What is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and HDMI 1.3a, or 1.3b?
For consumers, there is no difference between HDMI version 1.3 and 1.3a or 1.3b. These minor revisions to the specification typically relate to manufacturing or testing issues and do not impact features or functionality. In addition, HDMI Licensing, LLC is actively working with manufacturers to reduce confusion for consumers by de-emphasizing version numbers and focusing instead on product features and functionality.

I see then I guess you suggest the above HDMI as being good for both tv and blue-ray. I only need 3' max since everything is so close.

Also would you also suggest using monoprice to buy a DVI to HDMI connector for my computer to TV? I need about a 6' since it is a bit far away. Or would DVI to VGA be better?

EDIT---

Why is black cheaper than the colored ones?

What is gauge? Is lower or higher better?

would you also suggest using monoprice to buy a DVI to HDMI connector for my computer to TV?Yes.would DVI to VGA be better?NO!! DVI is digital. HDMI is digital. VGA is analog. Why is black cheaper than the colored ones?They make more?What is gauge? Is lower or higher better?Gauge is the thickness of the wire inside the cable. Lower number is bigger wires, higher numbers are smaller wire.

With very long cables, lower gauge is generally better but thicker wires are stiffer and more difficult to route.

Smaller gauge wires are much better in crowded wiring cabinets.

At the distances you mention, wire gauge is completely irrelevant. Buy the thinnest or cheapest.

To connect my computer, do I also need an audio cable or does the DVI/HDMI cable carries the sound?

To connect my computer, do I also need an audio cable or does the DVI/HDMI cable carries the sound?Depends on your video card. Use an optical or coaxial digital connection if the video card does not support audio. BTW, HDMI can contain audio; DVI does not.

Purchase all your HDMI cables from monoprice.com or Blue Jeans.

HDMI cables marked as 1.3 or 1.3a compliant meet the latest specifications (even if some players and displays do not! ;) ).

The monoprice cable shown below (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024007&p_id=4021&seq=1&format=2) comes in many colors and lengths. The one shown is 3ft long and costs $4.49 ... never, ever pay more than those guys charge.

http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/40211.jpg


You just saved me about 100 bucks with that link...Now all the crap I already bought this afternoon to hook up my new system is going back. I spent $190 about 12 hours ago on the same stuff that just cost me $90...WITH PRIORITY SHIPPING!!!. Thanks a million for the link...I think I might name my theater after you...:D

I think I might name my theater after youI am glad I could help.

Just let all your friends think you spent hundreds of dollars!! :cool:

I'm a little confuse.

Is monoprice HDMI cable better than audioquest ? Specially with HDMI-3 from audioquest ?

The Price is huge different :eek:

I'm thinking to buy audioquest HDMI-3 and still don't know is there a differnt or Not ?



Thanks.

Is monoprice HDMI cable better than audioquest?Not necessarily "better" but certainly "as good as" for a small fraction of the price!

What excactly do hdmi cables do? And if you are setting your 360 and tv to 720p, will they make a difference?

HDMI cables are a way of transmitting video and/or audio digitally. In some cases as with copy-protected content, HDCP-compliant digital connections are required, which HDMI is.

my xbox and tv are set to 720p will the cables just make the audio better or will it make the 720p/graphics better?