s.morris
I have to say I've never seen an HDMI cable with a loose end - mind you an installer called today who has managed to shear the end off of one; he reads these threads so I'll not name names
Your cable definitely sounds faulty and I'd stop plugging things together using it if they keep on crashing!
The DV-868AVi to your TV's DVI Input sounds more of an HDCP issues than a cable fault - is the DVI Input labelled as HDCP compliant; if not your unlikely to get the kit talking when your playing a Movie.
Best regards
Joe