HDMI Monster cables are a ripoff
HDMI Monster cables are a ripoff. In fact, most HDMI cable that you see at Best Buy or Radioshack is over-priced. The Consumerist blogged about 80% markups on Monster cable after they saw an inventory list from Radioshack.
The inventory list apparently shows that Monster Cable has incredibly high markup pricing (based on the difference of wholesale and retail pricing shown on the list).
Many online retailers sell quality HDMI cable that costs much less than Monster Cable. I use Blue Jeans Cable which is way cheaper than anything Monster sells and it is just as good.
Gizmodo also advises its readers that Monster cable is over-priced:
It never pays to buy a Monster cable first. It doesn’t even make sense to buy the “marked down” $50 cable you can buy if you don’t want Monster. Go online, order your cables, and wait.
I completely agree with Gizmodo but what happens when you purchase a brand new HD LCD television or Blu-Ray DVD player from Best Buy? How many people really plan ahead and order their cable online and save bundles of money? I did.
When I purchased a HD projector I saved hundreds of dollars by purchasing my HDMI and component cables from Blue Jeans Cable. When I purchased a Sony Bravia HD LCD television I paid a premium for the HDMI cable that was slightly cheaper than Monster Cable called Rocketfish HDMI cable.
I wanted to watch the new TV as soon as I got it home so I was forced to purchase Best Buy’s, Poor Buy, over-priced HDMI cable. They know most people need HDMI cable or component video cable when they purchase a high-definition TV or DVD player. They also know that most people don’t plan ahead and purchase their cables online so they stock the most expensive, highest margin cable they can find — Monster Cable.
I never heard of Rocketfish but I can guarantee that Best Buy and whoever sells their products is marking it up by 50-80%. If you can plan ahead, purchase your HDMI cable online. Another good online retailer that Gizmodo recommends is MonoPrice.com in California.
If you’re planning a home theatre or looking to upgrade your old television to a high-definition LCD or plasma set then figure out how much cable you need now and order it online. If you purchased standard RCA audio video cables to hook up to your new high-definition TV then you have no right purchasing anything with the words high-definition before it. If you purchased S-video cable for a better quality picture then read my previous sentence again.
You might be wondering if you should get HDMI or component video cable for your new television. Now we’re talking! You want to read an earlier blog entry where I talk about HDMI vs Component Video cable.
Stumble It!Posted in Home Theatre at 1:25 AM
Comments
Hey thanks for this. Just bought a 32” Toshiba LCD online for $600 and needed to buy an HDMI cable.
Posted by: James McNally 
on February 11, 2008 10:59 AM
For any digital cable of any description, simply but the absolutely cheapest cable available for the job. In fact, even for analogue cables, buy the cheap stuff. Seriously, it has been repeatedly demonstrated in double blind controled testing that it is impossible to tell the difference.
Posted by: Paul on February 11, 2008 11:49 PM
Another piece of advice…if you;re in Toronto, head on down to College and Spadina. There’s a little computer store on the North side of College (sorry, the name of it escapes me at the moment, but it’s about 3 doors WEST of Factory Direct). I bought my Digital Optical and HDMI cables there for $9.99 EACH. 5 HDMI, 5 Toslinks, $100. Just awesome. :)
All you have to do is know where to look. Never ever EVER pay full retail for something as ridiculous as copper wires in a rubber tube.
Posted by: Rebelscum on May 5, 2008 2:44 PM
I went around College and Spadina as you mentionrf and found the cheapest 6.5 feet HDMI for $9.99. www.modcom.ca Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: George Camara on December 2, 2008 12:26 PM
You said: “I wanted to watch the new TV as soon as I got it home so I was forced to purchase Best Buy’s, Poor Buy, over-priced HDMI cable.”
This is the issue with most consumers: They confuse an absolute need with a want.
You didn’t need anything (like water or medical attention). Remember the iron triangle of business:
You can have it fast
You can have it cheap
You can have it done right
PICK TWO. You and 100’s of thousands of others could have gotten their cables in 4-5 days. I never had to watch tv or listen to music so badly that I would pay those prices. Just pick up a good book at the library and wait.
Posted by: Mark on December 31, 2008 4:15 PM
