Monster Cable scares your wallet with PS3 cable prices!
by Nick Doerr 
{ Nov 1st 2006 at 9:30AM }
Yeah, yeah... we know we did a post asking for all of your best advice when it comes to getting those extra cables for the PS3 that Sony cleverly (read: foolishly) neglected to include in the box, but Monster Cables have upped a page that's... well, it's all PS3 cables. One stop shopping, if you will. But the prices aren't as user friendly. Now, let's look at this from an ignorant buyer perspective: these cables specifically say they are for the Playstation 3... many other HDMI cables are guesstimation, at best. So, these "ignorant" shoppers will go for these, hypothetically... until they see the cost. We'll map it out for you.- Playstation 3 HDMI cable -- $100
- Playstation 3 Fiber Optic Digital Audio Cable -- $30
- Component Video A/V Cable -- $60
- Component Video and Fiber Optic Digital Audio A/V Kit -- $70
Now, clearly, you don't have to get all of these, but it's more the case of "pick your poison" than "pick your wine". Then again, the true peripheral aficionado may want to grab whatever is specifically being toted for the Playstation 3... and that's fine. What's your take on this? Any specific route you'd prefer to getting what you absolutely, positively know will be PS3 compatible? There was a little debate about the cheap HDMI cables. Something about 1.3 and such. Anyway, the point is: buyer beware. What was that in Latin? Caveat Emptor? Maybe.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy @ Nov 1st 2006 10:22AM
I just bought a very nice 10 ft HDMI cable for $8. It is entirely pointless to buy one that expensive. They are all the same quality.
Bret @ Nov 1st 2006 10:37AM
What are the length of these cables?
A Monster 600 series 4 ft. HDMI cable costs -- $96.99
A Monster 400 series 4 ft. Fiber Optic Digital Audio Cable -- $29.99
A Monster 600 series 4 ft. Component no Stereo Audio -- $59.99
So pretty much they are the same cables, just MADE for the PS3.
Pablo @ Nov 1st 2006 10:39AM
I just got an HDMI cable on ebay for $2.29.... :-/
The1 @ Nov 1st 2006 11:06AM
You would be crazy to buy those cables at those prices. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tex @ Nov 1st 2006 11:39AM
Monster cables, monster price.
Andy @ Nov 1st 2006 11:46AM
Made for the PS3, so what? The only thing that needs to be made for PS3 is either component or composite, HDMI has its own normal port same with optical audio.
microdot @ Nov 1st 2006 12:22PM
on the flip side of everyone elses opinion here.... there is a point to the monster cable, and its not the same as your $2.99 cable. monster cable is heavily shielded, making it impossible to receive interference or be exposed to signal degradation. they are also made with better quality components than the typical cable.
that being said.... the hdmi cable is still not worth $100. $50 is still a little much, but i would be willing to pay that if i needed it. (i dont)
Dahk @ Nov 1st 2006 12:37PM
I don't think theres a point to getting these.
BECAUSE, if sony made most cables incompatible with ps3... thennnn... thats completely stupid! And Sony's not... THAT completely stupid. So thus therefore in effect and in conclusion... just get the damn cheaper wires.
go eat your fries biotch @ Nov 1st 2006 1:09PM
i found some cables for ....
"$299"............
-steve race
DaveTehWave @ Nov 1st 2006 1:46PM
...and here we go.
The 'premium cable' fiasco has begun.
No thanks. I'll continue to get my cables from monoprice for a LOT less.
go eat your fries biotch @ Nov 1st 2006 2:10PM
Sony Computer Entertainment America President, Steve Race, walked slowly to the podium and leaned carefully forward. He uttered a single phrase, it was the price of the ps3 cables, but it was enough to make the crowd go wild:
"$299."
From that point on, Sony's PlayStation was the system to beat in the United States. Eatyourheartoutbaby!
stan @ Nov 1st 2006 3:15PM
I'll get the ps3 cables from my buddy who worksa curcit city at cost. Thanks
Ryan @ Nov 1st 2006 3:37PM
I have in the past payed premium top dollar for monster cables from my local tweeter store and best buy..Now after doing my research and buyin multiple component cables for all my devices...and people im not running cheap devices...Denon 5805 reciever with denon 2910 dvd player...all hooked up to a Sony XBR960 34 inch widescreen Tube moniter...because we all know to get the best pictures you still need a tube screen. You can def tell the difference between 10 dollar component and 100 dollar component cables. Im not saying that goes for HDMI because i have only bought 1 cable from monster for 150 bucks but it def goes for component, s video, composite and any other analog cable. The digital sound cables are a different story because its harder to hear the difference but its def there. My point being yes the cables from monster are WAY too much money but are they better then the cheap cables?...your darn right they are...are they $100 better? probably not...but who can put a price on good ole HD gaming? I know I cant.
Miles B @ Nov 1st 2006 3:45PM
Do we know what the ps3 will upconvert standard dvd's too? or if it will?
rv65 @ Nov 1st 2006 5:16PM
www.monoprice.com hdmi cables ftw.
ozymandias @ Nov 1st 2006 5:19PM
monster cables are always expensive, but do make things look better than they do on cheaper cables. I dont see the big deal though. The way i see it, if i have already spent hundreds of dollars on these next gen consoles, whats another hundred bucks to enjoy it to its full potential.
skywalker6705 @ Nov 1st 2006 6:00PM
"7. on the flip side of everyone elses opinion here.... there is a point to the monster cable, and its not the same as your $2.99 cable. monster cable is heavily shielded, making it impossible to receive interference or be exposed to signal degradation. they are also made with better quality components than the typical cable."
This is digital transfer. Does the quality of the contacts on your USB stick affect it's ability to transfer data? No, as long as the contact is there, it works. Digital data isn't like video, it's not going to waver with interference. 1's and 0's won't be confused, they're pretty friggin different
DaveTehWave @ Nov 1st 2006 7:35PM
...and here we go with the 'premium cable' issue.
@16 - Money spent on a product doesn't always equate to it's performance. It's a known fact that Monster Cables are no better than cables bought from well-known manufacturer's.
I can get the same HDMI (and the rest of them) cable from monoprice for $12. I'll spend the other $80 + on a game and a nice Steak dinner for me and my girlfriend.
SALvation @ Nov 1st 2006 7:36PM
Shielding doesn't matter with HDMI. It's a digital connection. The 1s and 0s either make it from one end to the other or they don't.
cheese @ Nov 1st 2006 8:34PM
www.cablesforless.com ftw, screw Monster. They're so friggin lame, I believed they sued Monster.com (the job site) trying to say they had copyright to the name "Monster"... losers
Steve @ Nov 1st 2006 8:52PM
Unlike analog video interfaces like component, composite ,HDMI is DIGITAL INTERFACE and it transmits DIGITAL SIGNAL DATA, you know: 0100101101101..., therefore buying those uber expensive audiophile grade HDMI cables is really pointless, except for RF noise shielding, which is far sufficient enough for cheap cable because digital signal is much less subst.
IMO, there is much sale gimmicks about those Monster cables, do you really think connecting with PC using high grade USB cable will make your DAP sounds better, or expensive LAN cables make better MMO gaming experience ?
Just my 0.01
GAP @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:34PM
Warning, technical mumbo jumbo follows...
When it comes to digital transmissions, cables do matter. For example, digital circuits do not send 1s and 0s per say, instead they send high and low voltages (for example: binary 1 could be 500mV and binary 0 could be anything below 200mV). These high and low voltages can be made to cross each other's threshold if they drop or raise even a little bit. The conduit medium (what the cable is made of) can affect the signal quality, as can outside interference.
In short, adding interference or inducing voltage into a digital signal can be worse than an analogue signal. A binary 0 at 190mV with 20mV of interference becomes a binary 1 (for example), completely changing the data. While an analogue 190mV with 20mV of interference isn't quite as severe when it comes to the output data.
Cables matter kids, get the best quality you can afford... your system will thank you for it.
nick @ Nov 2nd 2006 3:02PM
do we have to buy theese cables or can we play without them. what are they for???
ozymandias @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:53PM
"Money spent on a product doesn't always equate to it's performance. It's a known fact that Monster Cables are no better than cables bought from well-known manufacturer's."
It's a know fact that MY monster cables made MY televisions picture look much better than the cheaper cables I purchased with the tv.
The main difference between monster and other cables is the thickness of the cable. The thicker the cable, the lower the impedance. the lower the impedance, the stronger the signal.
Breserk @ Nov 4th 2006 11:47AM
Remember, people, HDMI cables are entirely digital. Nonanalog, that is. The noise needed to make a 1 turn into a 0 or vice versa is incredible. That's the advantage of digital cables: even the cheapest will provide the best quality possible. There is no way to make the image quality better using a good HDMI cable since in digital information there's no quality. You either get a picture, or you don't. Nothing in between.
Scott Krueger. @ Nov 4th 2006 6:33PM
Here is some advice.
If its Digital, You do not need to spend $100.
HDMI and optical are digital. You do not need expensive cables because digital is 0s or 1s.
Component Cables are Analog, I have used relatively inexpensive cables and never seen any problems with video or audio.
$100 cables in my opinion are over doing it.
shane eudy @ Nov 18th 2006 10:44AM
yes i just got the ps3 and i got the 30 dollar component cable and it seems to be causing iterferance with my audio and video but only when i have my hd cable box hooked yp at the same time was wondering if two different typs of cables would cause a problem
Sammy @ Nov 30th 2006 7:23PM
I found Monster Cable - Ultra Series 4' HDMI Cable for HDTV for 60 bucks with shipping on www.overstock.com
Fiber Optical cable for 14.99 at www.bestbuy.com
so you don't have to spend an arm and leg for great sound.