Uhhh... ferrite core HDMI vs non ferite core?

[kyzen]

Just picked up a new surround sound setup with an upconverting DVD player. I have a 32" LCD with an HDMI input. Since the player only cable with a standard (yellow) video cable, and my TV can support component and HDMI, I decided to buy an HDMI cable for it.

Now, the cheapest cable I could find at Circuit City was $40.

That seems a little much, so I hopped onto Monoprice, and sure enough, there's plenty of cables for under $20.

Now what I'm confused about is the difference between this cable:

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=3992&seq=1&format=2

And this one:

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=3661&seq=1&format=2

Besides about $9, what is the difference? Is a "ferrite core" a good thing or a bad thing?

Anybody?

 

[Big Lar]

I've learned that the thickness is the important part of the cable,(Gauge of wiring). If you are running 6' or under, it does not matter much, however with longer runs, a thicker cable is better. Thicker equals smaller #, ie; 22 gauge being better than 24 gauge. I'm not sure about the ferrite core, but I have noticed the longer run cables are not. Hope this helps.
Larry

 

[montypythizzle]

Why are you getting an in-wall rated cable?
Ferrites decrease noise and interference (the little round things on the end of cables and such like on console controllers and such), which is not needed for most digital cables.

 

[kyzen]

Wasn't aware there was much difference between the in-wall cable and the regular, besides the apparent ferrite core junk.

So I should be fine with the cheaper one?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: kyzen
Wasn't aware there was much difference between the in-wall cable and the regular, besides the apparent ferrite core junk.

So I should be fine with the cheaper one?

In-wall / non in-wall is a different distinction than ferrite / non-ferrite.

If your cable is only going to be 6 feet though and you're not going through a wall, then get whatever cheap cable you can find at monoprice and it should work just fine.

 

[s44]

I keep saying this and people don't always believe me.

At short lengths, get the thinner one, because the thick ones are a giant pain to bend in a short space. (The cores, btw, are there just to counteract a bit the effect of the thinner gauge cable.)