Ok so I've got 2 HDMI cables, one of them won't allow my TV & BD player to talk to each other through VIErA link, the other will. Anyone ever had something like this happen? The one that DOESN'T work was an "expensive" one (no it wasn't $100) and the one that does work was a cheap $5 cable, they both play audio & video fine. VIErA link, for those that don't know, lets you control everything with the TV remote much the same as a logitech harmony remote, but without the bulls*** of needing an internet connection to program a f***ing tv remote.

Anyone know if there are different types of cable or maybe my "good" cable is just broken? Do some allow video + 2 way data? Or would it (being digital) just all be 0's & 1's no matter what?

bulls*** of needing an internet connection to program a f***ing tv remote.

You'd prefer to buy a new remote everytime you buy a new piece of electronic equipment, or go to a shop to update the remote, go home test it and then find you accidentally gave them TH1232-GH as the model number instead of TH1132-GH?

From what i remember there is an extra tooth that allows companies to encode what ever they like across it- Viera link etc.

Cheaper cables generally do not have this, nor can they support the bandwidth for 3D etc.

Am I Right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

there is diff HDMI revisions.

then why does it work with my cheap cable? I might just go to MSY tomorrow & buy a few of their $6 cables.

You'd prefer to buy a new remote everytime you buy a new piece of electronic equipment, or go to a shop to update the remote, go home test it and then find you accidentally gave them TH1232-GH as the model number instead of TH1132-GH?

I find your attempt at trolling disturbing. *squints*

I've got an old as f*** dick smith remote, it can do everything a harmony remote can do, without an internet connection. Works on all my new gear too. Logitech just want you by the balls, if you're happy to let them then that's fine. Personally I like my freedom.

In fact, it works BETTER than my harmony remote.

Sounds like you need a Monster cable?

I wasn't trolling. Old style universal remotes are great, until you get something it can't control. That's fun.

well if it can't control it, this one can learn it. I guess it's crap if you lose the original remote but seriously I hate having to plug my remote into the computer and connect to the internet JUST TO CHANGE ONE f***ING BUTTONS NAME.

Monster Cables will resolve these issues!

According to the wiki page, the HDMI standards for Consumer Electronics Control last changed with v1.3a. I'd guess any cable that meets the v1.3a specs should work.

I think viera link needs a 1.4 compliant HDMI cable to work, pretty sure i read that in my Pana TV's manual

As above, Monster Cables are the only way to ensure the best picture and sound quality fron your digital TV experience. Anything else is cheap imitation.

Yeah you are really missing out on the quality picture your TV can reproduce if you're not using Monster.

I strongly suggest you go to Harvey Normans today and pick one up, the more expensive the better. The salesman will be happy to help you.

In saying that we use the link feature for our Samsung TV and DVD (DVD is in another room and is connect via a 10m cable) using an HDMI from Jaycar. I'm pretty sure the cable was $99 (this is 3-4 years ago now) and it seems fine. Some DVD's won't play properly over the connection, never really worked out why, but 95% of the time it's all good.

You wouldnt have this problem if you went SONY
One remote to rule them all

Didnt read everyone elses posts, but there is a standard called HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

IT lets HDMI devices talk to each other via the HDMI cable, and thats what Simplink, Anynet and VieraLink are (As well as others).

1 issue is they generally dont talk if they're not the same brand.

But for you, i'd say for whatever reason, the HDMI-CEC channels are missing on the HDMI cable.

On a similar note, I've got one of these funky things...

Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter

They let you control computer applications (generally XBMC) with your TV remote using HDMI-CEC and plugins for XBMC.

I havent got it working 100%, but its pretty cool.

You guys really shouldn't make those sarcastic posts about monster cables, some poor sap will google them and qgl will ofcourse be the second result... and AG will be first.

Yeah next thing you know the Monster cable packs will have "Recommended by Ausgamers" on it lol

I heard Monster Cables were personally tested in Jim's rear socket

Qq, can I just get an hdmi 1.3 cable for use with my blu ray player? Thanks. How awesome is it that cables now have version number btw?

How awesome is it that cables now have version number btw?

As the pinout doesn't change, the version is basically a simplified method of stating that the cable has been tested under that version's requirements. For example, wikipedia states

HDMI 1.3 was released June 22, 2006 and increased the single-link bandwidth to 340 MHz (10.2 Gbit/s)

Thus, 1.3 cables have (at least in theory) been successfully tested as able to carry that amount of data. As the pinout doesnt change, older cables might work too - its a combination of how well they're made and how short they are.

The HDMI standard actually only defines two types of cable "Standard" and "High Speed" (and "with Ethernet" variants of each), which refer only to the bandwidth. Googling around, HDMI licensees are actually supposed to have stopped using version numbers on cables some time ago. I presume many cheap cable manufacturers aren't licensed though.

Trog: Ethernet cables have had versions for quite a while...

I think in some cases, the pinouts do vary - I dont think early HDMI cables have ethernet wiring included... ARC etc.

But yes - i think a lot of it is in trying to get return business :D

"Can I use my old HDMI cables with my shiny new TV which has HDMI 1.4a ports?"
"No, you should buy a new cable at $50 to get SUPER DUPER 3D PERFORMANCES"

How awesome is it that cables now have version number btw?

While they have versions, I believe they are marketed (on the packet) with out them.
eg. 1.4 is labelled something stupid like "High speed with Ethernet" instead of 1.4/1.4a.

ok sweet thanks guys. Went to JB to buy one today for my Bluray (forgot to get it at the time) and was surprised their cheapest thing was like $60. Cablechick has some 1.3 ones for less than $20 though so I wanted to be sure I could just nab one of them and not plug it in and get some dumb compatibility error at the end of it. I guess if I just bought Monster I wouldn't have to worry about it. (or buying anything else ever again)

If you have to buy something retail, just go to dick smith/jaycar and get their basic 1.4 cable.

Otherwise buy one from www.ezyhd.com.au and get it next day

Just go to MSY, i got mine there for like 20 dollars and it was 5m long.

edit: the msy at indro.