HD : HDMI cables: Free? & price v quality.

Originally Posted by techguyone

I bet places like Monster are cursing, they used to sell cables at truly outrageous prices.

Pc world still do

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/tv-dvd...relevance-desc

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Why do HD pictures need a special cable anyway?

HD has a higher data rate than SD, and the cables need to have certain electrical properties to carry the required data rates.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

How does my V+ know that I'm not using one (and thus refuses to play HD VOD)?

HDMI is a two-way digital connection, where the TV can send the STB information about it's capabilities.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extende...ification_data

---------- Post added at 14:27 ---------- Previous post was at 14:17 ----------

Incidentally - the trade price of gold-plated HDMI cables starts at $0.10

http://lancom.en.alibaba.com/product...DMI_CABLE.html

Originally Posted by spiderplant

HD has a higher data rate than SD, and the cables need to have certain electrical properties to carry the required data rates.


HDMI is a two-way digital connection, where the TV can send the STB information about it's capabilities.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extende...ification_data

---------- Post added at 14:27 ---------- Previous post was at 14:17 ----------

Incidentally - the trade price of gold-plated HDMI cables starts at $0.10

http://lancom.en.alibaba.com/product...DMI_CABLE.html

you do have to laugh really at what some people pay

[Tezcatlipoca]

It is worth using a "High Speed" (Category 2) HDMI cable if you need 1080p, 3D, or 4K... however even those can still be purchased *very* cheaply, even ones with Ethernet.

No need whatsover to pay for expensive cables. As for gold plated connectors... rather pointless given that the sockets are not gold plated.

HDMI cables are so badly advertised...

[Jimmy-J]

Think I might get a couple of these as spares. £2.99 with free delivery.

http://www.ebuyer.com/602639-xenta-f...d-cable-hdmi23

[Taf]

Originally Posted by techguyone

To get corrosion, wouldn't it need to be wet/damp ?

Corrosion happens whenever 2 disimilar metals are in contact, gold is inert so prevents the corrosion, even if the other contact is not gold.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by Taf

Corrosion happens whenever 2 disimilar metals are in contact, gold is inert so prevents the corrosion, even if the other contact is not gold.

Mmmmmmm.

Corrosion is oxidation of a metal. It happens without the need for a second metal.

You are right, however, that gold corrodes much slower than other metals.

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

Mmmmmmm.

Corrosion is oxidation of a metal. It happens without the need for a second metal.

You are right, however, that gold corrodes much slower than other metals.

gold does not oxidise

Gold never reacts with oxygen

http://corrosion-doctors.org/MatSelect/corrgold.htm

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by Taf

Corrosion happens whenever 2 disimilar metals are in contact, gold is inert so prevents the corrosion, even if the other contact is not gold.

So by that reckoning using gold contacts on the cable would result in corrosion on the non gold (and so dissimilar) contacts on the tv or stb???

[Taf]

Nope, total non-reaction AFAIK. My repair jobs in the electronics/telecomms industry were due to 90% poor contacts (5% finger troubles and 5% component failures) until gold coated contacts started to become the norm.

A bit of a hefty read, but it gets the point across

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

gold does not oxidise



http://corrosion-doctors.org/MatSelect/corrgold.htm

Gold certainly does oxidise.

There are two oxides of gold, Au2O and Au2O3.

Oxidation is the process of a chemical reaction which strips electrons from an element to form positive ions. In the case of gold, there are monovalent and trivalent positive ions, hence the two oxides of gold.

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

Gold certainly does oxidise.

There are two oxides of gold, Au2O and Au2O3.

Oxidation is the process of a chemical reaction which strips electrons from an element to form positive ions. In the case of gold, there are monovalent and trivalent positive ions, hence the two oxides of gold.

you obviously know what you are saying or totally have me blagged lol . I bow to your greater knowledge

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

you obviously know what you are saying or totally have me blagged lol . I bow to your greater knowledge

Sorry if I came over the wrong way. I do have a degree in Chemistry, albeit from more than 40 years ago.

Oxidation is a basic process in inorganic chemical reactions and does not even have to involve oxygen.

I will concede that gold will not become oxidised and form either of the two oxides in normal conditions. This, of course, is why it is used in certain applications as it remains un-tarnished and keeps its conductive properties. It's also why it's liked in jewellery as it stays shiny, unlike silver.

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

Sorry if I came over the wrong way. I do have a degree in Chemistry, albeit from more than 40 years ago.

Oxidation is a basic process in inorganic chemical reactions and does not even have to involve oxygen.

I will concede that gold will not become oxidised and form either of the two oxides in normal conditions. This, of course, is why it is used in certain applications as it remains un-tarnished and keeps its conductive properties. It's also why it's liked in jewellery as it stays shiny, unlike silver.

no not at all I like it when someone explains like you did I like to learn

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by andy_m

So by that reckoning using gold contacts on the cable would result in corrosion on the non gold (and so dissimilar) contacts on the tv or stb???

Perhaps we should lobby VM and TV manufacturers to make the contacts from gold

---------- Post added at 15:29 ---------- Previous post was at 15:28 ----------

Originally Posted by spiderplant

HD has a higher data rate than SD, and the cables need to have certain electrical properties to carry the required data rates.


HDMI is a two-way digital connection, where the TV can send the STB information about it's capabilities.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extende...ification_data

---------- Post added at 14:27 ---------- Previous post was at 14:17 ----------

Incidentally - the trade price of gold-plated HDMI cables starts at $0.10

http://lancom.en.alibaba.com/product...DMI_CABLE.html

Thanks for explaining it, I have often wondered about this.