sfalcon Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I just ordered a new TV that has component inputs and I'd like to take advantage of this by getting component cables for my Xbox. (I use it as a MCE Extender as well). A froogle search only comes up with the Monster cables, which is a great name but they cost around 50 bucks. Ebay has some no name ones listed for around 5-10 dollars. How significant would the difference in picture quality be between these two cables? Monster Cheaper Ebay Example Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger12348 Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I broke down and got the monster cables and love em. don't know the difference but I usually follow the statement "You get what you pay for" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvcduty Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I bought an OEM (Microsoft XBOX branded) component video/audio cables (HD cable) from Bestbuy a while back... Don't know about the cheaper ones... but I don't know if the Monster Cables are that much better than the Microsoft ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 26, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 26, 2005 The Monster Cables are great quality but only come with stereo audio cables as opposed to some other wiring bundles that come with digital surround wires instead. You need to look at how you will be connecting the xbox. If you are running the sound straight through the TV, dpeneding on the TV, go with the Monster, otherwise go for the cheaper stuff. If you tell me the model of the TV, I can general tell you if the monster wires would be a waste or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfalcon Posted January 26, 2005 Author Share Posted January 26, 2005 TV: Sony-WEGA FD Trinitron 32" Flat-Tube TV with Memory Stick Media Slot-KV32FS320 Receiver (impulse buy, might upgrade): Sony-420W 5.1-Channel Home Theater System-HTDDW660 The receiver does have an optical input, and the 4.99 Ebay cables have an optical out. How much is an optical cable (~3ft)? Expensive if I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 26, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 26, 2005 Nice Set. Although I'm a little iffy on Sony Receivers. Either way, you don't have a TV that's going to demand super quality cables (such as an HD set), so I think going for the no name wires with optical out may be best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfalcon Posted January 26, 2005 Author Share Posted January 26, 2005 Nice Set. Although I'm a little iffy on Sony Receivers.Either way, you don't have a TV that's going to demand super quality cables (such as an HD set), so I think going for the no name wires with optical out may be best. 585363066[/snapback] Awesome, thanks for the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quanta Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Go with the no name wires. A wire is a wire. Monster is a ripoff. Someone once measured the electrical characteristics of a Monster cable and an old coathanger. They were the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 26, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 26, 2005 Go with the no name wires. A wire is a wire.Monster is a ripoff. Someone once measured the electrical characteristics of a Monster cable and an old coathanger. They were the same. 585363459[/snapback] That's pure BS. Even cheap 99cent wires would outperform a coathanger so yeah. Some Monster wires are really good, some are only decent. Either way, it doesn't matter, cause I didn't even recommend monster for this instance. It's called recommending based on needs, not opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroChaos Veteran Posted January 27, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 27, 2005 whats wrong with the microsoft branded HD pack? cable quality seems decent, and it has optical out as well. goes for $19.99 at best buy or wherever... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 27, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 27, 2005 whats wrong with the microsoft branded HD pack? cable quality seems decent, and it has optical out as well. goes for $19.99 at best buy or wherever... 585364243[/snapback] I was oging to recommend it but the damn website photos don't show the freaking jacks so I wanted to be careful about what I did recommend. Also, though, with that, he has to then buy extra component wires and such. The cost isn't just 20 bucks, then. I like the idea of being able to use standard cables, but that $20 is misleading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quanta Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 That's pure BS. Even cheap 99cent wires would outperform a coathanger so yeah. Some Monster wires are really good, some are only decent. Either way, it doesn't matter, cause I didn't even recommend monster for this instance. It's called recommending based on needs, not opinion. 585363471[/snapback] I can't cite a source, so you could be right. :) Personally, I went with a MadCatz component cable. It came with both PS2 and Xbox jacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 27, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 27, 2005 I can't cite a source, so you could be right. :)Personally, I went with a MadCatz component cable. It came with both PS2 and Xbox jacks. 585365217[/snapback] I've had bad experiences with MadCatz products in the past and they always seem a bit too highley priced for what they are. If they were 10 bucks cheaper, they'd be easier to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one321 Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 I got the Monster cables and I love them... no problems and great quality. I've never used anything else though I cannot compare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardly Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 link Those are the ones I have and I wouldn't justify spending a lot more money for the monster cables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroChaos Veteran Posted January 27, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 27, 2005 I was oging to recommend it but the damn website photos don't show the freaking jacks so I wanted to be careful about what I did recommend. Also, though, with that, he has to then buy extra component wires and such. The cost isn't just 20 bucks, then. I like the idea of being able to use standard cables, but that $20 is misleading. 585364254[/snapback] you don't have to buy the extra component wires anymore, they come with the microsoft HD pack attached. it's a lot better than the old model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfalcon Posted January 27, 2005 Author Share Posted January 27, 2005 you don't have to buy the extra component wires anymore, they come with the microsoft HD pack attached. it's a lot better than the old model. 585365532[/snapback] Hmm, how come they don't note that in the description? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroChaos Veteran Posted January 27, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 27, 2005 well, most places i've seen still list the old avanced hd pack. but about 2 months ago the switched to a new one, and it definitely comes with the cables. and though best buy carries it, i've never seen it on their site. it looks just like the monster cable one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grex Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Monster cables are good. but you mostly paying for the marketing. Think of Bose. I would say go with the chaep pair unless you have high-def tv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 28, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 28, 2005 Monster cables are good. but you mostly paying for the marketing. Think of Bose. I would say go with the chaep pair unless you have high-def tv. 585370043[/snapback] Lol like I recommended already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IK47 Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Take my advice - Buy the 1st party xbox component wires. It is not expensive, and it is a quality microsoft product. buy that and a $10 optical cable, and you are set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakehn Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 I use the MS HD pack, $ 20 bucks and i can't ask for more, they work excellent 480p, 720p, 1080i| Dolby digital, Dolby surround, DTS enable, what else do you want? why spend $ 50 or more just because it says Monster or Bose? a wire is a wire my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quanta Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 I've had bad experiences with MadCatz products in the past and they always seem a bit too highley priced for what they are. You won't get much argument from me there; MadCatz controllers are terrible. But it appears even they couldn't screw up a cable. :) It works well, only $15 CAN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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