HDMI cables on ebay any good ?

Theres a bunch of different cables on ebay with differing quality.

Go to monoprice and buy a decent one with a reliable warranty.

This is excellent advice. Take it.

...and don't look back!

I just bought a Mitsubishi HC1500 projector, along with a Sony STR-DG710 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver. It has 2 HDMI inputs & 1 output. I figure that'll allow me to plug in the Dish Network HD box & an upconverting DVD player. I'll probably need 2 shorter cables to connect to the receiver, then a longer (10-15ft) one to connect up the wall to the projector.

I was just curious about a few things, and maybe you can help me out:

1) Do i need to order the more expensive "high quality" cables from the link that Lou mentioned above? I heard that since they're digital, as long as the 0's & 1's are connecting, you're good to go.

2) Does anyone recommend any particular speakers to go with the receiver? I'm looking for cheap deals that will work well with my system. I got the receiver at CC on an open-box special for less than $170, and i'm not looking to spend a ton of dough.

3) HTIB - i noticed there aren't very many supporters on this site for this, but is there a HTIB that will fit my needs that would save me money? I can return or sell the receiver if necessary.

Thanks so much for everyone's help at this forum! So far, I've only used the projector to watch DVDs through my laptop using computer speakers and a tiny subwoofer, and even all that looks spectacular. I can't wait to get the Dish and everything else setup!

1) Although they are digital, they can still receive interference / loss of signal. Just because the '1' gets to the other end doesn't mean that it was a '1' to begin with. This stuff causes the sparklies and other digital artifacts when the cable isn't of sufficient quality (I said sufficient because it doesn't need to be a super-duper-high-end cable to pass an acceptable signal). Depending on the length, a "higher end" cable may be required more than for a short run.

I have a 50 ft. monoprice dvi->hdmi cable that I got 3+ years ago, and it's working great for me. I just swapped it from my 50 ft dvi cable from monoprice since my new hc1500 has hdmi input (my old h31 was dvi).

I've never had a problem with monoprice cables, and I've gotten quite a few.

thanks Talz, I'll just order the standard HDMI cables from them then and skip the "higher quality" cable they sell.

any other advice on my audio setup is of course appreciated. i'll begin browsing the audio message boards as well.

Definitely buy your HDMI cables from forum sponsor Monoprice. Their link is listed at the top of the page. Their cables are cheaply priced but are excellent quality. I've bought several of their products from HDMI switchers, VGA switchers, VGA cables, HDMI cables, adapters, mounts, etc. and never had 1 problem or any signal loss.

Mike

I just received a 35' HDMI cable from monprice, 24 guage, Trust when I say the quality is as good as any M......R cable you could buy.

Oh Yeah. $39.00 SHIPPED TO MY DOOR

Monoprice didn't have 25' in stock when I tried to order last weekend (did get a 4x1 switch), so ended up ordering a Blue Jeans Cable 25' bonded
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/...bles/index.htm
a bit more expensive than Monoprice, but the cable is made in the USA and looks absolutely pristine from my Sanyo Z2000 1080p.
Kurt

Speakers are one area where good ones really do make a big, big, difference. I'd go to audiogon.com and look for something decent used.

I think Stereophile reviewed some very inexpensive Infinity speaker they absolutely loved. And 5 speakers were cheap. It was the Primus line. Do not bother with 7.1. spend more on the 5 speakers. It matters greatly to have proper reproduction. The Primus line won't break the bank that bad at all. Do Front & Center till you can afford surrounds. The receiver will make up the difference, no worries.

There is no such thing as decent HTIB unless you just don't care that much for the sound reproduction.

A home theater is a system - everything has to do its part in recreating the cinematic experience. I think you've a great PJ. Go slow and build the system with quality gear. That Sony is fine. More important to have good speakers then anything else in the chain. And don't forget about the SUB!

Just my two cents worth.

Thanks for all your info, I'll take a look at that website.

I am having an issue with artifacts (red static, intermittent picture) on my tv, and I am wondering if it could be a cable quality issue. I have a 50' run of bluejeanscable series 1 connecting my tv to my receiver, and two dirt cheap - $1 each on amazon.com - 6' cables connecting my HD DVR and DVD player to my Onkyo TX-SR575 receiver. Would upgrading the cables fix this? What else should I try?