The great HDMI cable debate - A Plan?

[admin_exported]

Okay dokey and righty ho.

I have a suggestion.

We could by the power of the people put this issue to bed.

At the Bristol show, the WHF team can do a simple HDMI Cable comparison.

The Cheap cable can be my free Virgin HDMI and WHF cam loan/borrow/steal a good quality HDMI cable at any price.

This could be an award winner at £20 or the best cable at any cost.

Every hour on the hour for three days there could be a comparison from any source of WHF choice.

The display should at least be 50’’ preferably 1080p.

This test/comparison, could vary without the knowledge of the viewers and could be different on each hour.

The cable could be changed or remain as the initial one watched; whether the test was initialised with the dearer or cheaper cable.

I am willing to offer my services free at the Bristol Show for 3 days to do this and supply the cheap Virgin lead.

I will also provide paper work for anyone , who wishes to take part and fill in.

I will then create a spreadsheet of the results, each evening to be shown the next day.

I will then provide the full results at the end of three days, for WHF to publish, if they wish.

If only 5 people take part every hour on 5 occasions, each day.

This will still give the opinions of 75 different people.

Any takers?

I’m free!

Any one want to help?

I will even provide the TV and source at my own risk, if there are concerns over kit being damaged.

But it would be nice, to be met half way, which would avoid the need for me to move my 50’’plasma ( only 768 res) and provide the TV as you will have some there anyway. I can easily provide my PS3 as a source.

Matthew

 

[Clare Newsome]

Sure there'll be cable companies doing just that at the Bristol Show (I know both Chord and Clearer Audio have done it at past shows) - personally, we've already organised a (hopefully!) more thrilling demo for you all.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:Sure there'll be cable companies doing just that at the Bristol Show (I know both Chord and Clearer Audio have done it at past shows) - personally, we've already organised a (hopefully!) more thrilling demo for you all.

Clare. Surely cable companies will not be seen as un -biased.

We could do it with a disclaimer that this is a reader initiative .

I'm clean, presentable and willing to be flexible , what about 15mins every 2hrs.

This is really big issue on the forums surely this is reflected on the readership.

Also.

I'm sure the interest would be high.

I would humbly take advice on how its done as you are old hands at this, and best of all I'm free!!

Matthew

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well we're planning a series of reader events in our test rooms - to discuss issues of import to you all - so we'll certainly bear you in mind for that.

But, as mentioned, our Bristol plans are set: I'm not picking apart months of organisation and designed graphics/schedules at this late date!

I also disagree that a cable company demo would be in some way invalid, if a true comparison between their own products and rivals?

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:

Well we're planning a series of reader events in our test rooms - to discuss issues of import to you all - so we'll certainly bear you in mind for that.

But, as mentioned, our Bristol plans are set: I'm not picking apart months of organisation and designed graphics/schedules at this late date!

I also disagree that a cable company demo would be in some way invalid, if a true comparison between their own products and rivals?

Sorry to be a pedant.

But I didn't say they (cable companies demonstrations) would be invalid.

I said they would not be seen as un-biased by the people viewing them.

You, on the other hand are seen ( by most) as not beholden to anyone and has no adgenda; But for honest and independent reviews.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Sorry, my wording - biased IS invalid in my book!

Why, out of interest, would cable company demos - if a straight demo between their cable and a rival - be seen as biased? How can a straight A/B test be biased? Or are you suggesting some kind of 'fix' would be involved?

 

[Alec]

Clare Newsome: I also disagree that a cable company demo would be in some way invalid, if a true comparison between their own products and rivals?

Indeed. And id imagine, in my completely unqualified and pretty much disinterested opinion, that the fact that previous demos have failed to put the matter to bed says rather a lot...

 

[ElectroMan]

Clare Newsome:
Or are you suggesting some kind of 'fix' would be involved?

Surely not!

It would be interesting, though, if a visitor were to go up to someone selling an expensive cable and hand them a cheap cable in a sealed, unopened pack and ask them to try that in comparison.

 

[Anonymous]

Im sure cable companies would be wanting to promote their expensive cables..i really cant see it making sense business wise to risk having the cheaper cable look as good as the one they are trying to sell..

 

[Big Aura]

...sitting on the grassy knoll with a budget hdmi cable..

 

[ElectroMan]

 

[Alec]

Big Aura:...sitting on the grassy knoll with a budget hdmi cable..

They are, someone should point out, totally useless for shooting people with.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:

Sorry, my wording - biased IS invalid in my book!

Why, out of interest, would cable company demos - if a straight demo between their cable and a rival - be seen as biased? How can a straight A/B test be biased? Or are you suggesting some kind of 'fix' would be involved?

My point is that 'seen' from the public point of view, a comparison done by a directly involved company, 'could' be seen as un-biased.

Whether it in fact is is another , separate issue.

I was making no implication of improper practice. No suggestions at all, but just as you have raise and made an assumption, so 'might' the viewer of an impartial demonstration.

Two examples one directly related and one not.

Last year ( maybe 2 years) Pioneer ran a comparison of their plasma versus a 'well known brand' ( the name was covered but its was obvious what it was. Some people were saying that 'maybe ' the other brand was not set up so well, to make the pio look better ( my own opinion was, with the material being used, the LCD would look poorer, whatever the set up)

Another example was when some valid research was undertaken on the heath benefits of a particular product.

The results were accurate and well published. But when the backers of the report turned out to be the 'council for sugar consumption' (made up name) the results were thrown into dobt.

I will say again , WHF, is a respected test house, is it not? And this would thus, be seen as independent, un-biased with no axe to grind.

Ok, you might just kill the HDMI cable sales overnight, but then again you might make it the sales boom of the year.

 

[professorhat]

I don't think you can ever put this issue to bed. After all, a number of people have publicly stated they have tried it and not seen any difference. If I was one of those people, it wouldn't matter to me how many people took part in this experiment and claimed they could see a difference - since I could not, I wouldn't spend the money on the cable. I've often argued this when people ask for scientific proof, since, even if there was scientific proof that it made a difference, if you can't actually see it, what's the point?

The best advice is and will always be to try it out for yourself. This is the only way to be sure you're not wasting your money.

 

[Anonymous]

And not to forget, you'll also need 20:20 vision.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/16/news-flash-you-had-better-have-decent-eyesight-if-you-want-to-fully-appreciate-hdtv/

 

[Anonymous]

bensmith:

And not to forget, you'll also need 20:20 vision.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/16/news-flash-you-had-better-have-decent-eyesight-if-you-want-to-fully-appreciate-hdtv/

In answer to Clare's response that they cannot alter plans for this years show; I can give a years notice to this and inform all I will be available next year.

EDITED - Please do not discuss moderation - Mods

Please do not discuss moderation. Final warning before a ban. - Mods


The real answer to the HDMI debate is in understanding the technology behind the signal that is being transferred and processed.

If it were explained clearly and simply, as it has been ( you only have to make some internet effort) on other sites. People, hopefully would make informed choices.

But whilst there is debate whether a God exists, people will make money out of others.

It's the order of things.

As I started this it may as well end with me.

See you at the show, with a HDMI cable on my head. ( before any thinks, that's serious, I will be in my pocket ready to challenge any cable companies doing A/B comparisons.

 

[Anonymous]

"There may be fairies at the bottom of the garden. There is no evidence for it, but you can't prove that there aren't any, so shouldn't we be agnostic towards fairies?"

Richard Dawkins

 

[Anonymous]

Octopo:

"There may be fairies at the bottom of the garden. There is no evidence for it, but you can't prove that there aren't any, so shouldn't we be agnostic towards fairies?"

Richard Dawkins

Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to beleive that there are fairies at the bottom too.

Dougla Adams ( a close friend of Dawkins)

Didn't I say I wanted to close this post

 

[Andrew Everard]

matt41:In answer to Clare's response that they cannot alter plans for this years show; I can give a years notice to this and inform all I will be available next year.

Sorted then: talk to Jerry and Tony - the organisers - at the show this year, and I'm sure they'll let you book a room for 2010.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:

matt41:In answer to Clare's response that they cannot alter plans for this years show; I can give a years notice to this and inform all I will be available next year.

Sorted then: talk to Jerry and Tony - the organisers - at the show this year, and I'm sure they'll let you book a room for 2010.

Nice to see you here again Andrew.

What is sorted?

You will assist me in 2010? So it has more validity?

With independence of WHFSAV and years of un-biased reports.

Or are you saying 'you've out own your own mate, isee if you can afford a room, then do so?

I hope it's the former!

 

[Andrew Everard]

matt41:Nice to see you here again Andrew.

I tend to drop in from time to time.

No, if you see this as a true calling, then I am sure the organisers will let you book a room.

 

[Alec]

this is better than sleeping pills.

 

[Andrew Everard]

My thoughts precisely.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:My thoughts precisely.

Drop in and out rather quickly sometimes eh!

Well we're all awake.

Sorry to hear that I'm out on my own

And I was free of charge!

Anyway pleasure sharing badinage.

Goodnight

Matthew

 

[clearer_audio]

ElectroMan:Clare Newsome:
Or are you suggesting some kind of 'fix' would be involved?

Surely not!

It would be interesting, though, if a visitor were to go up to someone selling an expensive cable and hand them a cheap cable in a sealed, unopened pack and ask them to try that in comparison.

Hello everyone,

As Clare has pointed out we do run demonstrations at shows we take part in. At the What Hi-Fi? Show last year we did comparisons with factory supplied power cables and interconnects against some of our cables.

I will also be more than happy to do a demo or comparison with any product at any show we take part in. Obviously such a demo would have to fit around other plans but it would be no problem.

Wishing you all the best.

Kind regards,
Darren