Monster Component Cables

[MrPabulum]

~ I currently have Sony brand component video cables for my PS2. Would upgrading to Monster cables make a difference? I am using a Toshiba 27in. TV, not HDTV.

One other question: For a DVD player, are there any component cables that include audio cables? I don't have a receiver (yet! but soon! ) so I need to use the speakers in my TV. Thanks for any help!

 

[JammingJay]

If you're currently not catching any interference then it would be completely pointless to make the switch. Monster cable isn't a bad product, its just there are comparable products for 1/2 the price, and there are certainly BETTER products for the high end market. They happened to be a company that did a excellent job pushing sales by great marketing on the average joe.

 

[MrPabulum]

It doesn't have to be Monster cable, but the general idea that interested me: can the signal truly improve with a slightly longer and better cable?

 

[Pariah]

~ I currently have Sony brand component video cables for my PS2. Would upgrading to Monster cables make a difference? I am using a Toshiba 27in. TV, not HDTV.

No.

For a DVD player, are there any component cables that include audio cables?

I don't think so. Some companies sell the cables bundles together, but they are still seperate audio and video cables.

 

[MrPabulum]

Well, I noticed that the Sony component cables had the red, green and blue connectors, plus red and white audio connectors attached. That's what I was looking for...

 

[herkulease]

I tested out the monster cable and the ms made components and to be honest I see any MAJOR differences other than the price tag.

i tested it out on 4 different tvs that support 480p/720p and 1080i
the sony 30hs510. 34hs510, the 57 inch sony projection. a 60xbr900. we have a plasma but I was too lazy to unplugg the wires and I don't want games to be played on the plasma.

 

[lenjack]

It's all hype.

 

[klah]

Monster Cable is the Bose of a/v cables. <EOM>

 

[CZroe]

I'd love to see Monster Component Cables for the Gamecube because that would mean cheap third-party cables could be found in stores. Instead, people don't even realize that the GC has progressive-scan capabilities just because the cable is only available mail-order from Nintendo. But alas, Nintendo decided to put some kind of copy-proof chip in the thing (Honestly, I can't see where. It just looks like a component cable and a plug to fit in the GC's port). It also seems wierd that the cables go straight into the GC with no break-out box like XBOX. At least you could buy some good cables for an XBOX HD Pack if the pack-ins were not cutting it. I'm sure they are decent quality though...

Originally posted by: MrPabulum
Well, I noticed that the Sony component cables had the red, green and blue connectors, plus red and white audio connectors attached. That's what I was looking for...

Don't they require this? I mean, there is only one A/V connector on the back of the PS2 so you would no longer have stereo audio with audio-less component cables occupying the connector. You would be FORCED to use optical-out.

 

[MrPabulum]

I think I'll stick with what I currently have. I got a pair of red/blue audio cables, so that issue is solved. With component, if the DVD has high quality video, you'll see that. If not, you'll see all the artifacts as well. (Like a good sound system, lousy mp3s sound...lousy ) Now I just need to add a nice small home theater and I'd be set.

 

[CZroe]

Oh, and if your set isn't HD, WTH do you need component for? I could only see doing this if it ONLY support 480p? Component supports analog interlaced video because it is measurably better when the colors are seperated but this is already done with S-Video (And only individually sheilded with component). Regardless, ANY PS2 component cable is OVERKILL without a progressive-capable set. If Monster Cables are considered overkill against official products, using Monster Cable for an that would simply blow my mind. I mean, the standard Sony PS2 component cables are HD-capable which means they are already more than your set can hope for. I wouldn't have dreamed of purchasing component cables for my GC & XBOX before having a set capable of progressive scan even though there are many crappy analog TVs with interlaced standard definition only component input.

 

[MrPabulum]

Well..I did see a difference. The picture was a bit brighter. Other than that of course... Right now, my dvd player is attached to the component connection, with some noticeable improvment. All I need now is to introduce a nice HT system. I saw the Onkyo Ht760s, refurbished, from J&R Music World in NYC. Price is great ($299! - one year warranty too) but those things are bloody enormous, and I'll need to buy additional cabling, so I need to collect some $$$ first. :beer:

 

[Pariah]

Regardless, ANY PS2 component cable is OVERKILL without a progressive-capable set.

The PS2 is not capable of progressive output, so TV support doesn't matter. Component out on the PS2 definitely looks better than SVideo. The difference isn't as significant as composite to SVideo, but sharpness and colors are definitely better with component. Obviously, the bigger and better your TV the more noticable it will be. 27" is probably the lowend size cutoff where it would be worth the upgrade over SVideo.

 

[CZroe]

On AVSforum someone said it could.

http://tinyurl.com/w8y5
http://tinyurl.com/w8z0

SSX3(480p), SOCOM 2(480p) specifically mentioned:
http://tinyurl.com/w8ze

Prince of Persia:
http://tinyurl.com/w8zk

 

[Pariah]

I don't know about the other games, but SSX3 supports anamorphic widescreen, which is not the same as progressive scan. I bet the same goes for the other games. This feature is pretty close to worthless if you don't have a widescreen TV, because even 4:3 TV's that do support anamorphic input have to downgrade the picture somewhat. The fact that the built in DVD player does not support progressive output gives strong suggestions that the machine is not capable of it outputting any format.

 

[AsianriceX]

Originally posted by: Pariah

Regardless, ANY PS2 component cable is OVERKILL without a progressive-capable set.

The PS2 is not capable of progressive output, so TV support doesn't matter. Component out on the PS2 definitely looks better than SVideo. The difference isn't as significant as composite to SVideo, but sharpness and colors are definitely better with component. Obviously, the bigger and better your TV the more noticable it will be. 27" is probably the lowend size cutoff where it would be worth the upgrade over SVideo.

Newer PS2's (Model SCPH-10100U) are capable of Progressive output. According to the manual I got with Soul Calibur II, you can enable 525p.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Pariah
I don't know about the other games, but SSX3 supports anamorphic widescreen, which is not the same as progressive scan. I bet the same goes for the other games. This feature is pretty close to worthless if you don't have a widescreen TV, because even 4:3 TV's that do support anamorphic input have to downgrade the picture somewhat. The fact that the built in DVD player does not support progressive output gives strong suggestions that the machine is not capable of it outputting any format.

The XBOX DVD player is 480i only. That's not a good indicator

 

[Erasmus-X]

Oh, and if your set isn't HD, WTH do you need component for? I could only see doing this if it ONLY support 480p? Component supports analog interlaced video because it is measurably better when the colors are seperated but this is already done with S-Video (And only individually sheilded with component). Regardless, ANY PS2 component cable is OVERKILL without a progressive-capable set.

Component video also separates the red and blue color differences [CbCr/PbPr], which theoretically results in a better picture than s-video (which only separates the color [C] and brightness [Y]), even on an analog TV. But generally, the difference is only noticeable on larger sets (i.e. 32" and greater).

The PS2 is not capable of progressive output, so TV support doesn't matter.

This was true of the older models (SCPH-10000x), but the new model, SCPH-10100U does support 480p output.

 

[Pariah]

Newer PS2's (Model SCPH-10100U) are capable of Progressive output. According to the manual I got with Soul Calibur II, you can enable 525p.

Guess that would explain why I can't get it to work with my PS2. The newer version also supports progressive scan DVD output as well. Odd that Sony didn't make any announcement of the new feature. Probably didn't want to piss everyone off who already bought a PS2 and didn't get that feature.

 

[coolred]

Oops