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Old 06-17-2009, 10:06 AM   #1
ma-skis.com
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Default component cable quality

So based on our love of monoprice and hate on for monster cables, I understand that the high quality hdmi cables are not worth the money,

Is this the same for component cables? (only one hdmi input on my tv and I don't want to shell out the money for a receiver)

I would imagine that since it's still digital output compnonent cable quality would not matter as much, similar to HDMI,

Thoughts?
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Old 06-17-2009, 10:19 AM   #2
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Make sure the cables are thick- the ones at monoprice are. And by thick I mean the same thickness as a regular coax cable.

If you go into somewhere like Home Depot your will see the two types I mean; I have seen the thinner ones fail after a short period of time.
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Old 06-17-2009, 10:44 AM   #3
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are the thin ones just RCA cables, like left right and video?

or are there specific thin and thick component cables?
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Old 06-17-2009, 11:01 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ma-skis.com View Post
So based on our love of monoprice and hate on for monster cables, I understand that the high quality hdmi cables are not worth the money,

Is this the same for component cables? (only one hdmi input on my tv and I don't want to shell out the money for a receiver)

I would imagine that since it's still digital output compnonent cable quality would not matter as much, similar to HDMI,

Thoughts?
Component is an analog signal not digital. There is a digital component signal but it is typically only used in broadcast level gear.

Go for a RG-59 component cable or higher. The diameter is roughly a quarter of an inch thick. This should be very similar to what Shaw cable would run into your house or apartment.

Since component is still analog you will want the "thicker" cable to provide for better shielding especially if it is going to be a long run. They will still have RCA connectors on them...
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Old 06-17-2009, 11:03 AM   #5
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Clarify for us - are you wanting or not wanting to purchase your component cables from monoprice?

Component cables are not digital and I feel are more important to ensure you get high quality ones over an HDMI cable.

Bottom line - get monoprice cables.
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Old 06-17-2009, 11:12 AM   #6
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I'm hoping to avoid to go to monoprice as I don't want to wait the 2-3 weeks, so I was thinking popping by superstore / walmart / anyplace that sells cables for less than $20

Didn't realize that component were analog signals. The distance is very short less than 3 feet, so I was hoping that would help me in terms of signal loss...

thats the problem with HDMI, now you need all these hdmi inputs too.
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Old 06-17-2009, 11:23 AM   #7
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Doesn't HD through component cables only get up to 720p? Or am I confused?
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Old 06-17-2009, 11:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ma-skis.com View Post
I'm hoping to avoid to go to monoprice as I don't want to wait the 2-3 weeks, so I was thinking popping by superstore / walmart / anyplace that sells cables for less than $20

Didn't realize that component were analog signals. The distance is very short less than 3 feet, so I was hoping that would help me in terms of signal loss...

thats the problem with HDMI, now you need all these hdmi inputs too.
Monoprice has never taken that long - for me that is.

What size/type of TV is this for and what is the input source?
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Old 06-17-2009, 03:34 PM   #9
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What size/type of TV is this for and what is the input source?
It's from my shaw box, it's a 37 inch lcd, don't know the brand, but it's not awesome, but decent, the component cables will be coming from my shaw box, and I currently have an HDMI going from the upconverting dvd to the HDMI on my tv.

That's why I'm not too concerned about using hdmi cables, quality of tv isn't great to begin with.
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Old 06-17-2009, 03:56 PM   #10
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I haven't seen a great difference between HDMI and the component with regards to the Shaw cable box. Basically there is way to much compression on the signals to make the cable type worthwhile.

Component can do 1080 but what typically happens in consumer gear (see BluRay) is because of HDCP not having any affect on the analog signals they limit the RGB out of the players to 720 so a person cannot get a "true" replica of the original content.

Just get the cheap cables at London Drugs or what not. Just don't get the really small/thin ones that you would typically hook up your CD player with. Although 3 feet is nothing to worry about for shielding.

Get and amp that switches video.....Best damn thigs in the world.
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Old 06-17-2009, 04:42 PM   #11
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ran to wal-mart to look at there cheapest cables, $20-30...

monoprice -$3.00

monoprice wins again.

guess i'm waiting the time for them to come in the mail
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Old 06-17-2009, 04:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kipper is King View Post
Doesn't HD through component cables only get up to 720p? Or am I confused?
EDIT: Looks like Galakanokis already covered it.


ma-skis.com:

Yeah, monoprice.com usually wins.

Last edited by OBCT; 06-17-2009 at 04:58 PM.
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Old 06-17-2009, 05:56 PM   #13
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In the meantime you can try and get away with using composite, red, white,and yellow cables in the component interfaces. It worked for me once.

If you want to go all HDMI this switch should work.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
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Old 06-17-2009, 08:00 PM   #14
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In the meantime you can try and get away with using composite, red, white,and yellow cables in the component interfaces. It worked for me once.
That's a good idea, i'll give that a try
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If you want to go all HDMI this switch should work.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
I'm gonna skip that and wait till i can pop for a decent receiver.
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Old 06-17-2009, 08:04 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Kipper is King View Post
Doesn't HD through component cables only get up to 720p? Or am I confused?
About that, it isn't a strict line as I understand it. Really doesn't lose you anything unless you are using it from a true HD source. No broadcaster (except HD OTA) transmits in anything higher than 720p
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Old 06-17-2009, 09:27 PM   #16
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About that, it isn't a strict line as I understand it. Really doesn't lose you anything unless you are using it from a true HD source. No broadcaster (except HD OTA) transmits in anything higher than 720p
When they start releasing HD Content Protected (HDCP) Blu Ray titles, you will not be able to get anything above 720p off of the component out, but that is just to protect them from people copying disks in full HD (as there is nothing else they can do to enforce content protection on component video as it is analog.)

Anyway, as for the monoprice cables, I am a huge monoprice customer, but have to confess that I've had issues with a couple of the component video cables I've gotten from them, with plugs losing continuity. I'm guessing the internal solder points break easily.
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Old 01-06-2010, 03:10 PM   #17
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Does having component cables effect my refresh rate?

I have my shaw cable box hooked up to my 46" 1080 tv (120mh) and I read somewhere that because component cables are anolog you don't get the proper refresh rate from your TV

I had some issues with my TV and since Shaw changed out my Rocketfish HDMI to component I haven't experiences the freezing.

My TV works good with the component cables but after reading the article I am wondering if I am not getting the full benifit of my TV's abilities.

Thanks,
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Old 01-06-2010, 03:34 PM   #18
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You could also try Princess Auto, if you don't want to wait for a monoprice cable. They have cables pretty cheap.

MacDaddy: Refresh Rate is standard at 30 frames per second, componant cables shouldn't have any problem with that.
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Old 01-06-2010, 05:48 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by MacDaddy77 View Post
Does having component cables effect my refresh rate?

I have my shaw cable box hooked up to my 46" 1080 tv (120mh) and I read somewhere that because component cables are anolog you don't get the proper refresh rate from your TV

I had some issues with my TV and since Shaw changed out my Rocketfish HDMI to component I haven't experiences the freezing.

My TV works good with the component cables but after reading the article I am wondering if I am not getting the full benifit of my TV's abilities.

Thanks,
Nope, the type of cable you use shouldn't (won't) affect signal refresh rate whatsoever. I'm not sure that a damaged cable could even affect refresh rate (without otherwise compromising the signal beyond recognition).

For what it's worth, the probable reason why switching from HDMI to component decreased problems is because of an infamous 'handshake' error between devices at some point in the HDMI chain.

Unless you can personally differentiate between the picture "quality" produced by the HDMI connection chain and the component video connection chain, then you're safe to assume that what you're seeing now w/ component is just as good as what you were seeing with HDMI ... since it more than likely is.

Component cables are entirely capable of transferring a 1080p full HD video signal.
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Old 01-06-2010, 06:30 PM   #20
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Thanks for the replies!

Glad to know I'm getting the full quality of my TV
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