[fairnymph]

I need to get some RCA component cables, and I'm looking at monoprice.com.


It's about $3 vs $16 for the basic vs the premium 3' cables - any idea why the price difference and is it worth getting the more expensive cables?


I'll be using them to hook up my DVD player and DVR/cable box to my receiver, and then out to my LCD HDTV.


I don't have speakers (other than what came built in with the TV) yet, but hope to purchase very soon (probably build my own 3.1 system to start for ~$450).


Also, if you recommend a different place to buy cables, please enlighten me. Thanks!

 

[coyotemoon]

Component cables are rg59 or rg6 coax with RCA connectors, that's the basic. After that the difference is which brand and model of coax is used, and what style and type of rca connectors are used.


The difference between using rg59 and rg6 comes done most of the time to the distance involved, and at three feet, I would not worry about which type of cabling is used.


As far as monoprice is concerned, I don't think you will have any problems with either product, both are good quality connectors and cabling.


Pick the one that makes you happy.


Tom N.


P.S. If you have a need for lots of cabling of different lengths, I'd suggest buying a compression tool and compression connectors and make your own. But for just a few cables, go ahead and buy from monoprice or other sources.

 

[fairnymph]

Ok, so for short cables, there's no real value in me getting the pricier ones? No significant effects on video or audio quality?

 

[DoyleS]

It is hard to tell what cheap cables you are looking at. There are cheap cables with RCA connectors on them that are used for audio and composite video. I wouldn't recommend using those. A decent coax cable will be somewhat rigid feeling and that reflects the dielectric that is used to keep the center. It should have a specified impedance of 75 ohms. If on the other hand the cable is real limpy and no spec then you may want to pass on the cheap cables. Typically Component cables will have nice color coded RCAs. If you are sending your audio via RCAs, that is pretty much a don't care situation. The inexpensive stuff will work fine.


..Doyle

 

[fairnymph]

Cheap cables: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...ormat=2&style=


Premium cables:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...ormat=2&style=

 

[ChrisWiggles]

I would probably avoid the cheap patch cables there, they may be fine, but cables for high performance applications like HD video do matter.


I would put the more expensive cables from monoprice you linked to under the more basic category, and professional Canare/Belden cabling under the premium category, IMO, something like the stuff from bluejeans, or see also: http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/comp-video.html#bc

 

[fairnymph]

Thanks for the explanation, I found it quite helpful. I'll go with the more expensive monoprice for now. Those ones you linked to are just SO long and plus, need separate audio...but maybe one day.