Poor HDMI signal from Mini.

[Dave Bartram]

Connected my Mini to my new monitor today and getting dropouts and sparkles. Using a pretty cheap HDMI 5m lead. Would it be the length of the lead or the quality that's affecting my picture? Tried it with a 1.5 metre lead (also more expensive) and it works fine. Worth spending more on a lead or is it just too long?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Deleted member 171211]

For a 15 foot run of cable, I think you need to spend a bit more, especially if you are getting sparklies. Cheap cables are fine for short runs.

 

[Dave Bartram]

Cheers mate, any suggestions as to make of cable or what I should spend? Also I could probably get away with a 4 metre lead, make much difference?

Dave

 

[nigelbb]

There must be something wrong with the lead if it doesn't work properly. Take it back & get a refund. I have used a cheap (less than 30 quid) 10m cable from my Mac Mini to TVs & a projector with no problems at all.

HDMI-HDMI is all digital & assuming that there is no problem with the Mini or the monitor then any length that is on sale should work however cheap the price. If it doesn't work then it's not fit for purpose & you are due a refund

Incidentally I don't think that you can actually buy a 4m cable. I have seen 2m,2.5m,3m & 5m but never a 4m.

 

[Dave Bartram]

Just got back from Screwfix (Wife works there) with another 5m lead, connected it up and no sparkles or dropouts. Still a relatively cheap lead (£22) so looks like the other was faulty, shall be sending that one back. Just need to set up the dual screens with Plex and we're all go

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Dave

 

[Deleted member 171211]

How much did you spend on the first one?

 

[Dave Bartram]

It was under a tenner...Didn't actually realize I could get one locally for £20 or I wouldn't have bothered getting one of the net. Just looked in PC world etc and they were £50+

 

[Deleted member 171211]

Yeah, the ones from PC World/Dixons/Currys/etc are a rip off!

 

[willj12]

I'm surprised, I have a 5 meter hdmi cable I bought on ebay for £1.50, works perfectly no sparkling whatsoever.

 

[Deleted member 171211]

better quality does not have to equal more expensive

 

[Member 213491]

Hello Dave Bartram,
Quality is key is when buying hdmi

We sell the High speed with Ethernet 5m in white
MacKuna High Speed with Ethernet 5m HDMI Cable
or
Ivuna 5m HDMI Cable

 

[ascender]

So what's the difference with the more expensive HDMI cables? I thought I'd read numerous postings saying that it didn't matter when it comes to HDMI.

 

[Rafe]

So what's the difference with the more expensive HDMI cables? I thought I'd read numerous postings saying that it didn't matter when it comes to HDMI.

Ooohh - don't start that one buddy

 

[ascender]

Ooohh - don't start that one buddy

Oh dear, its not another one of those touchy subjects is it?!

Genuinely interested as this was the first thread in ages I'd read where the quality of HDMI cables came up, I thought it was widely accepted that more expensive HDMI cables weren't worth the money.

 

[Rafe]

Oh dear, its not another one of those touchy subjects is it?!

Genuinely interested as this was the first thread in ages I'd read where the quality of HDMI cables came up, I thought it was widely accepted that more expensive HDMI cables weren't worth the money.

Not necessarily a 'touchy' subject. It's just one of those subjects where people argue it out for ages.

I have bought QED cables in the past and on the flip side, I purchased a £3.99 2m cable from ebuyer and I couldn't tell the difference.

 

[Deleted member 171211]

Over short lengths, I doubt you are going to find any difference (unless the cable is poorly soldered, for example). Over longer lengths, you are more likely to find problems, but that's just due to the nature of electronics signals. There's a reason things like ethernet cables have a maximum length between network ports.

 

[nigelbb]

Over short lengths, I doubt you are going to find any difference (unless the cable is poorly soldered, for example). Over longer lengths, you are more likely to find problems, but that's just due to the nature of electronics signals. There's a reason things like ethernet cables have a maximum length between network ports.

The HDMI signals are all digital so a cable either works or it doesn't. There is no way that an expensive one can perform any better than a cheap one. Of course an expensive one may be better made & thus more durable but in terms of picture & sound quality it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

If a cable is labelled as complying with the HDMI specification & it doesn't work properly then you are due a refund. It doesn't matter how long, short, cheap or expensive it is.

 

[Deleted member 171211]

If a cable is labelled as complying with the HDMI specification & it doesn't work properly then you are due a refund. It doesn't matter how long, short, cheap or expensive it is.

I agree with your point here and please don't think I wasn't. Specs are there for a reason, which is why I mentioned ethernet cables, which generally need to be plugged into a switch (or amplified in some way) to reach longer distances. HDMI is no different and I would certainly never spend silly money on a cable. Equally, if I needed a 10 or 15m run of HDMI cable, I wouldn't buy a 3 quid cable to do it.