A player complains about a seller: Because he sold his parents an overpriced HDMI cable. The problem is that not every HDMI cable is just a cable.
A player angrily reports on Reddit that his parents have bought a new TV. But the problem is not the TV, but the accessories: on the one hand an HDMI cable and on the other a power outlet with surge protection. Total cost: 300 US dollars for the outlet and 80 US dollars for the HDMI cable. He is particularly upset about the HDMI cable.
In another post on Reddit, he explained that his parents didn’t really care and were only somewhat concerned about the money. User s1lv_aCe explains in another post that he is not even concerned about the money: It’s all about the principle that the seller has swindled his ignorant parents and that such things simply cannot happen:
[…] I will return it myself if I can’t convince them… I explained it to them and they seem to understand that they have at least been cheated now, but they still don’t seem to care too much about getting their money back. It’s the principle that bothers me, not even the money.
An HDMI cable is not just an HDMI cable
What is the problem with HDMI? The problem is that an HDMI cable is not just an HDMI cable. This is mainly due to the peculiarities and specifications. In particular, bandwidth plays an important role: The higher the bandwidth, the more data can be transported, and the better resolution you get (via eaton.com):
- Category 1 without Ethernet: 1080i or 720p (4.95 GB/s)
- Category 1 with Ethernet: 1080i or 720p, with dedicated Ethernet channel (4.95 GB/s)
- Category 2 without Ethernet: 1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz (10.2 GB/s)
- Category 2 with Ethernet: 1080p or 4K @ 30 Hz, with dedicated Ethernet channel (10.2 GB/s)
- Category 3 (4K): 4K @ 60 Hz (18 GB/s)
- Category 3 (8K): 8K @ 60 Hz or 4K @ 120 Hz (48 GB/s)
Additionally, there are often different standards hidden behind the bandwidth: At 4.95 GB/s you usually get HDMI 1.0, while the latest standard HDMI 2.1 is 48.0 GB/s. However, this standard also comes with some additional features: For example, you only get Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD with HDMI 1.4.
Does a good HDMI cable have to be expensive? No, it doesn’t have to be. When buying a new cable, pay attention to the specifications: If the cable supports HDMI 2.1 with 48 GB/s, you usually get the fastest and best cable, but there can also be differences in detail. Since 2020, there is as per Prad.de a certification requirement for all high-performance HDMI cables so that no nonsense can be sold to you.
On Amazon, you pay around 14 euros for a decent cable with a length of 2 meters, HDMI 2.1, and current standards. So, it doesn’t have to be 80 euros.
A player orders a costly monitor on sale. The device arrives heavily damaged, but the damage only becomes really visible after unpacking. The seller refuses to send him a replacement: Player buys a new monitor for 1,500 euros, but when it arrives, the model is completely demolished – The seller refuses to send him a replacement
