Digital Foundry Finally Puts the HDMI Issue to Rest

[Dyne]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/di...oundry-vs-hdmi

On the face of it, the conclusion is that you can run any HDMI cable - no matter how cheap - and get identical results. However, very poor quality cabling can present image problems in certain circumstances, and the accepted wisdom that with digital you either get an image or you don't isn't exactly true. A low quality, very long HDMI cable could work fine at 720p for example, but could introduce digital artifacts at 1080p.

Independent testing suggests that just about any HDMI cable works fine at lengths of up to four metres: more than enough for just about any home cinema or "gaming den" setup.

Update: An interesting email from a key multiplatform developer this morning corroborates the fact that 360 operates internally in component, the REC.709 standard to be precise, and this contact suggests that in theory it is the correct way to address an HDTV, though in practise sticking to RGB in the way that PS3 and PC do is more developer-friendly. He also suggests that the richer colour we see in 360 Face-Off shots might be explained in some cases because so much development is 360-led: calibration takes place on 360 and isn't corrected on PS3, resulting in the "washed out" look. However, even factoring in the REC.709 component standard, this developer also believes that 360 HDMI output does require adjustment.

To conclude then, it's fair to say that the advent of HDMI has effectively made the era of stupendously expensive AV cables with dubious-quality claims somewhat obsolete. That £1.50 (including delivery) cable from Amazon will do sterling work for your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or media PC - and if it is in some way not up to the job, you'll see it immediately in the form of obtrusive digital artifacting. Only if you're attempting some seriously long connections will a custom cable be required - and even then, the chances are there is an inexpensive version available that will do the job just fine.

As for what comes out of the HDMI port of the HD generation consoles, while the precision and quality offered by the pure digital signal is second to none, bugs or platform holder filtering mean that in many cases we're still one step away from that mythical lossless transfer from video RAM to display.

I really do love this site.

[K3V]

I wasn't aware there was even still an issue. Dumb people will buy the $100 monster HDMI cables, the rest of us will get them for $3 on Monoprice.

[Dyne]

It's just good to finally have something more than he said-she said.

[Opaque]

However, very poor quality cabling can present image problems in certain circumstances, and the accepted wisdom that with digital you either get an image or you don't isn't exactly true. A low quality, very long HDMI cable could work fine at 720p for example, but could introduce digital artifacts at 1080p.

This is essentially what I always have been saying, so I'm excited to see someone else say it.

I'm not sure I trust that the Monster cable I got will really run 1440p better than my other cables I have right now, but I guess I find out one day.

[Nei]

This is essentially what I always have been saying, so I'm excited to see someone else say it.

I'm not sure I trust that the Monster cable I got will really run 1440p better than my other cables I have right now, but I guess I find out one day.

The "circumstance" they are referring to lengths greater than 12 feet where you start getting signal degradation. And even then an expensive cable is not required:

A low quality, very long HDMI cable could work fine at 720p for example, but could introduce digital artifacts at 1080p.... Only if you're attempting some seriously long connections will a custom cable be required - and even then, the chances are there is an inexpensive version available that will do the job just fine.

[Opaque]

Correct, which is why I say I don't trust it.

[K3V]

I put my TV in the attic and my components in the basement. I must have Monster cables.

[Opaque]

Well, duh.

[Diff-chan]

I will say this, I got a bad 4-foot HDMI cord from Monoprice a couple months ago. Half the time it worked fine but the other half there was this weird static around the screen. I switched to an Amazon cord (I got for free through Vine) and have not gotten this problem.

[Dyne]

I've gotten bad cords from them before as well. Doesn't say much except sometimes you get bad products.