Home audio & video forum: Shootout: 50 different HDMI cables

Hello.
I've been researching on these HDMI cables rather than coming on and asking ignorant questions.
I've gathered that I need to find a v1.3 HDMI cable, and that it isn't necessary to waste money on a monster brand. I've been looking at monoprice, cablestogo, etc.. as some recommend.

Now, my question is why are there so many different gages of wire within different HDMI cables? Say at monoprice.com for example, they have 30 awg, 28 awg, 24 awg, 22 awg, etc... v1.3 HDMI cables.

Will there be any advantage by having larger gage wire or a disadvantage to having smaller? I know with electrical current, for longer runs a larger gage is better, but I am not sure about digital signals.

Thanks in advance.

just like with speaker wire. now, I have some longish speaker wire runs, but I just leave the 16 gauge because I think its fine, even with speakers dropping to 4 ohms, playing reference levels, sitting decently from speakers... Im in no rush to change my speaker wire.

my hdmi cable is monoprice, 35 ft long, works perfectly well. the picture is disgustingly good. even on a 159" screen. and my cable is not even 1.3 certified.

1.3 certified means that it is "rated" to carry a certain bandwidth, or roughly double the 1.1 version. That does not mean the 1.1 can't handle that double bandwidth, its just not "rated" to do so. Just like Id trust a 70 lb Rotel amplifier to do as well as a "THX rated" $600 onkyo receiver. its simply "rated" or "certified". This is As Far As I know...

Its really all about the length of the cable.

If your runs are short, as are most people's, monoprice is the wtg. their cables are actually the very thickest Ive seen. to a fault. even the speaker wire has insulation that is thicker that I think it should be, perhaps good for those who like to run in-wall...

Hi all,

I have a blu ray, 46 inch screen, HDMI 7.1 receiver (Pioneer) et al. and am using some Monoprice cables bought over a year ago, which I assume must be 1.1 or 1.2 (all of which are six feet or less in length) but could be higher, to carry signals. Everything works just great. Of course the guy at the store attempted to sell me a $150 dollar cable until I mentioned Monoprice and then he backed down rather fast once I demonstrated that I knew what I talking about. You do have to show those young snobs on commission (radio shack et al.) or even the ones not on commission (circuit city/best buy) that you know what you are talking about. This chart is great for that.