Best HDMI Cable for Video

Got mine from Blue Jean cable, works great on my Sony Grand Wega HD.

Back in 2005 when I posted positive results for Blue Jean HDMI cable I was running a short run. I have another post here at Audiogon where I was seeking help choosing a new TV.

LED, LCD or Plasma

Bottom line I bough the new Panasonic 65" Plasma and bought Blue Jeans best 45 foot HDMI. It's been hooked up for several days and I had not posted comments about TV performance due to my disappointment with picture quality.

A few hours ago the new Oppo HM-31 switch box arrived, it allows the U-verse, Oppo Blue Ray and one other HDMI to all work via switch with the one long run from Blue Jeans.

The picture quality was so improved I called Oppo to thank them. They modestly accepted my compliment but said the HM-31 box should not make that much difference and suggested the Blue Jean cable may have a problem.

I called Blue Jean and told my story and the fellow I spoke to told me I was mistaken, that the only way this cable would manifest itself as defective was noise on the screen or bars. I argued that perhaps there was some impedance issue between the AT&T U-verse box and the Panasonic or that output level may be low due to the 45 foot run.

He basically got mad and wanted off the phone. This is the last dealing I will ever have with Blue Jean cable. I plan on ordering from Monoprice and running a comparison. If the TV quality with Monoprice cable is same with and without Oppo HM-31, then the Blue Jean HDMI is not up to snuff.

If Oppo box has same effect on Blue Jean and Monoprice then something else is going on. Perhaps none of these super long (40 to 60 foot) HDMI cables are doing 100% what a short run does unless processed with something like the Oppo.

One might never know without the test, just sharing what I see. As a photographer the image quality is important and thought others might benefit.

Three Monoprice HDMI cables are due to be delivered tomorrow. I'll test them against Blue Jeans best (I currently own) and If Monoprice perform equally well, the Blue Jeans will be returned.

I admit I would not have done this if not for the arrogant attitude of the "salesman" on the phone at Blue Jeans Cable.

I don't understand his closed minded and angrily argumentative response to my experience of improved picture with the introduction of the Oppo line amplifier.

Strangely enough, after I hung up the phone I was looking around Blue Jeans website and notice they have their own version of the Oppo line amplifier. Wonder why they offer if line amplifiers can't possibly help picture quality?

Monoprice HDMI arrived this morning, test is done. The Monoprice is slightly better than Blue Jeans in 45 foot run but both benefit from the Oppo.

Since the Monoprice is more than $100.00 cheaper I'm returning the Blue Jeans.

Anyone else with similar test experience, it would be good to read your response.

Hello Mnnc,

Here is link to the 40 ft. cable I bought.

Monoprice HDMI

I may buy some of the Monoprice RCA cable to run between the U-verse box and my recently acquired Rotel integrated. I have hope the U-verse variable volume will power the Rotel into my in-wall speakers so TV sound will fill the room without blasting the small Panasonic TV speakers.

Monoprice has silver plated cable, I employed "chat" button to ask why no silver plated 40 foot version was available.

"Maybe soon," was their answer.

They do offer a 50 foot version in silver but adding 10 additional feet of unnecessary cable seemed like a bad idea.

If you require 25 feet or less, my understanding is the Monoprice copper is fine. I think the problem comes from 40 foot and longer runs.

Blue Jeans (best) bonded pair HDMI is 23.5 gauge and the Monoprice is 22 gauge. That makes the Monoprice slightly heavier gauge, but not by much.

As I stated in my post 02-08-10, the Monoprice was somewhat better than more expensive Blue Jeans but still performed better when plugged into the Oppo HDMI switch with amp and EQ.

Gooddomino,

Here is link to 25 foot silver;

Silver HDMI

There are others on the site, my problem was no 40 foot which is minimum length requirement for my install.

If you buy the silver and run a test against the copper I would like to read a report. Monoprice has 100% refund policy, guess you could try silver and return the looser.