With the recent switch to digital broadcast signals and the dropping price of HDTV sets, many of us are upgrading our RV media centers. In our Airstream, we have two HDTVs: one in the main living area, and one in the bedroom. The best cable connection for HDTV sets is called HDMI. These cables deliver a digital signal, and (of benefit to RV’ers) they are slender, having a smaller footprint than component cables.
If you walk into any electronics store, you’ll find HDMI cables are expensive, with some selling for $50 or more. Quite frankly, these high-priced HDMI cables are a RIP-OFF.
Do NOT Use HDMI Cables as Mental Floss.
Don’t get suckered into overpaying for an HDMI cable. Digital signals consist of ones and zeros – there’s no discernible difference in signal quality between a $50 cable and a $5 cable. It either works or it doesn’t.
HDMI cables deliver pure digital goodness, but that doesn’t mean they should be expensive. You can buy a nice HDMI cable for less than $5.
Here’s one on Amazon:
<a href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L1ZYYM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003L1ZYYM&linkCode=as2&tag=lonlonhon-20″>AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters) – Supports Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return [Newest Standard]</a><img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lonlonhon-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003L1ZYYM” width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”” style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />
Repeat: EXPENSIVE HDMI CABLES ARE A RIP-OFF.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
Another option in our area is BigLots, a store that specializes in closeout items. I got a 6′ for $12 which is not as good a price but I could go get it in 15 minutes.
Thanks for the tip! I haven’t checked Big Lots, but cringe every time I see HDMI cables in Best Buy. I think their cheapest is $30, if they even carry one that cheap. For the same price, you could pick up 30 cables on Amazon, lol…
Sean, this is a great point!! I work for a Cable,Phone and Internet provider in Kansas City and you would not believe the people who get ripped off from some of the big retailers(won’t mention any names)!! These people go out and buy a new TV and are scared into buying $100.00 surge protectors, gold plated cables, and all sorts of other junk that we tell them to return back to the store!! It is crazy to think that people don’t know any better, but I’m a techno geek!!
Yeah but gold tipped will add more zeros to my ones right??? Ha. Yeah you nailed it a complete waste of money for a digital signal.
When we were on the road a couple of months ago, I needed an HDMI cable. Walked into the “Best” big retailer… gagged…. then walked out and placed an online order from Monoprice that was delivered to our New York campground.
While we’re on the subject, I could rail about those “extended profit” — I mean, “extended protection” plans that electronics retailers sell…but maybe that warrants a separate post. 😉