Blu-ray, HDMI cables and HD audio

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:27 pm

Adding to this great discussion...

HDMI.org is OK and http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/ ... m?hdmidept
is better.

A 1.2 cable could run 1.3 content but not at the same distance. HDMI does not specify distance, only the ability to pass a specific signal at the distance tested. The shorter the 1.2 cable the more likely it could do 1.3. 1.3 typically cuts the 1.2 distance rating in half for the same cable construction.

I have to agree that one should worry about this when a problem arises or if you are buying product that supports 1.3 then get 1.3 cables - it's not like they are expensive; well not the ones we would recommend anyway!

On the HD audio front it has nothing to do with room size but it does have to do with proper setup and good equipment. This is no different than SACD or DVD Audio versus CD - let that be your guide.

DavidJones4 · Post by **DavidJones4** » Thu May 08, 2008 5:28 pm

Wouldn't it follow that the larger the room size, then a higher bitrate will be needed to maintain SQ......seems to work with video..?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:17 am

While anecdotal - not at all. The difference can be heard with headphones...

The difference is due to MORE audio information at the source! SACD and DVD Audio, 24/96 and 24/192 greatly expand the amount of data that is used during the recording and collected for encoding (trying to keep it simple). CD was FAR from perfect.

DavidJones4 · Post by **DavidJones4** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:36 am

I struggle to tell the difference between an AC3 and a mp3 of that AC3{256k}, but I can tell a huge difference between older SDTV 128k mp3's.
I just bought a 2 Disc DVD of "the Shining"....and just using my 5 yr old $70 Altec Lansing PC speakers, I was impressed with the DD5.1 on the DVD.

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:13 pm

All it takes to really appreciate good sound it to go hear a good system and have someone point out some of the aspects of quality. A good store and saleman can do that. Things like: smooth high frequencies, clarity, spaciousness, detail. Also helpful to learn are types of sources and calibration for multichannel systems.

It really does not take long and will give you more ability to enjoy everything you hear though you may become dissatisfied with the lower tier of equipment - eg. HTIB systems. But even a cheap receiver (with auto calibration) and a packaged set of speakers (for less than $500 or so) can give you superb sound - and even in fairly large or small rooms. In large rooms with a "small" system you won't have the volume or low end power. But the other aspects can still be of high quality.

dabhome · Post by **dabhome** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:40 pm

Richard wrote:Adding to this great discussion...

HDMI.org is OK and http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/ ... m?hdmidept
is better.

Awesome information. Thanks.

It does basically say that the big difference between good cables and bad cables is the good cables will work with longer distances.

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Fri May 09, 2008 11:42 pm

It would be hard to determine from the outside, but similar to analog cables, the worst, maybe cheapest, cables would be more likely to break the connections between the wires and the connectors with twisting etc. And sometimes they plug in rather loosely. But - those are probably only the cheapest of the lot. I'd think that you'd find those at discount department stores and similar places that retail junk in general. Or the rediculously cheap on ebay (just assuming). The low-reasonably priced cables from online cable companies all seem to be of resonable quality.