How Much Should I Spend on a Cable?

[Kosmiche]

I got a hdmi lead recently from a competitor, it was cheap (think it cost a fiver) and I have just managed to bend the connector, I tried putting it back in but it bent the pins completely.

I would like to get a hdmi or dvi lead (its for a second monitor) but I'm not sure how much I should spend to get quality, but not get totally fleeced either.

I think I would rather get a dvi lead since they're a lot more solid than hdmi leads and should withstand more.

But then I don't know if I need a single link, dual link, dvi d, dvi i or what.

I think I want dual link but I really don't know if a single link would do or what the purpose of dual link is.

TLDR; how much to spend on a dvi cable or alternatively hdmi cable to get a quality item without being ripped off.

Thanks

 

[Klo]

A fiver.

 

[davido_labido]

doesnt really matter tbh, get a right angled connector if thats what broke on your cable.

dont spend any more than a fiver say, 8 quid delivered if you are going on the bay

 

[Confused Stu]

How long a cable do you need? If it's 2-3m or so, then I'd say get the cheaper the better. If you're going longer (8-10m) then you may need to invest a little more to be certain of avoiding issues.

HDMI 1.3 and single link DVI are both good up to about 1920x1200 at 60Hz (may be slightly out, Wikipedia would be your best bet if you want it exact). The only difference is that DVI carries video and HDMI carries video and sound. If you're going above 1920x1200@60Hz, then you need a dual link DVI or (I think) HDMI 1.4. Otherwise, absolutely no benefit in going dual link/HDMI 1.4.

To answer your other question, DVI-D carries only a digital signal and so cannot be used with normal DVI-VGA adapters. DVI-I carries both digital and analogue signals so can be used to go DVI-VGA. To tell the difference easily, the DVI-I has four little pins around the flat pin, DVI-D doesn't.