HDTV Cable Kit For Dummies is really just for suckers

You know, we typically have nothing but respect for the For Dummies line (with one title in particular being our fav), but this is just downright insulting. For those buying a new HDTV on Black Friday or soon after, 4D Global Partners and Cables To Go have linked up schemed to sucker you into buying this pathetic kit for hooking things up. Ironically enough, this supposedly simple package gets confusing right from the get-go by coming in two versions -- as if HDTV newbies will really understand which one to go for. Beyond that, the only difference between the HDTV Cable Kit For Dummies and the HDTV Premium Cable Kit For Dummies is the number of HDMI cables (two and three, respectively). Each box comes bundled with a few basic HDMI connectors, "additional cables required to connect non-HDMI components," reusable cable ties and a booklet that provides vague installation details for a TV you don't actually own. Worst of all, the For Dummies crew somehow got the idea that pricing these at $99.99 and $149.99 (in order of mention) was a bright idea, which makes us awfully suspicious that Noel Lee has his sketchy hands in this somewhere.

[Jarrod @ Nov 13th 2008 12:04PM]

Or you could just buy the cables from monoprice and RTFM.

[Fred @ Nov 13th 2008 12:04PM]

These will sell like hot cakes. Isn't the whole "for dummies" series for suckers already?

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 13th 2008 1:47PM]

Actually, my Uncle marketed these cables and to do so he dove head-first into the Selling Accesories Like Hotcakes to Dummies - For Dummies book.

[djpurpose @ Nov 13th 2008 2:12PM]

@Lowest Ranked: That reminds me of my plan to make an infomercial about how to make infomercials to make money. lol

[rick @ Nov 13th 2008 12:05PM]

They actually developed those products after reading my book:

"Selling to Dummies: for Dummies"

[Valicore @ Nov 13th 2008 12:05PM]

It's for dummies, so it must be a good deal!

[ale @ Nov 13th 2008 12:05PM]

Well it says right on the box what the think of their customers. So if you pay $149 for this you have been warned.

[linux loko @ Nov 14th 2008 5:07PM]

lots of people still dont know anything about HDTV cables....this is actually helpfull to some people....welll old people =]

[rock99rock @ Nov 13th 2008 12:06PM]

Is this sponsored by Monster?

[kal326 @ Nov 13th 2008 1:04PM]

Nope, if it was sponsored by Monster Cable $149.99 would be a "bargain". Hell if it was by Monster it would be $70 min per cable and the higher kits include 2 or 3 cables. Somewhat related, I was in a Circuit City that was being liquidated and they had a Monster Cable HDMI cable for $219.99. The cheapest HDMI cable in the whole store was $89.99 No wonder they are going out of business.

[michas_pi @ Nov 13th 2008 12:06PM]

I saw the Premuim kit at Sears the other day.

$149.99, my ass. I was tempted to write "MONOPRICE.COM" all over it with permanent marker.

[StalematE @ Nov 13th 2008 12:08PM]

Isn't it cheaper just to get someone to show you how to do it? or do it for you? This is stupid.

[BENiii @ Nov 13th 2008 12:23PM]

Show you what?
How to connect a frickin cable to a tv???

1 locate the port
2 connect

is that what it says in the booklet?

[CraigJ @ Nov 13th 2008 12:28PM]

The problem is, in my family, I'm that guy. It gets old. My relatives ask my advice, then get whatever they want to get anyway, and get pissed when it doesn't work like they expected. My response now is generally, get exactly what I tell you to get or call Firedog or the Geek Squad.

This product, however, will do nothing to help those people, Most TVs come with really good quick start instructions specific to their TV. If they have a problem with that, then the generic instructions in this box probably aren't going to help.

[StalematE @ Nov 13th 2008 12:29PM]

well obviously the target market for this is people that have no clue what they're doing. "stick it where it fits" doesn't fly with old people that haven't mastered the microwave yet.

[looieloo @ Nov 13th 2008 12:14PM]

Good work, Team Engadget, for calling bull#$(* when you see it.

[Fred @ Nov 13th 2008 12:17PM]

Ya know, there is something to be said for making available something that people want. I guarantee that there are people out there who will buy this and be very happy with the purchase. That's business, right? Find a need and fill that need?

[devonl @ Nov 13th 2008 12:23PM]

okay mr. bigweld...

[BENiii @ Nov 13th 2008 12:26PM]

it looks to me more like sucking money then fulfilling needs...
but thats just me..

[Duuude @ Nov 13th 2008 12:29PM]

I guess you missed the whole point of the article:

The price.

If the kits were $20 and $30 then there wouldn't be a problem. $100 and $150 is sheighsty.

[Fred @ Nov 13th 2008 12:39PM]

Yeah, that's a good point, they are pricey. Just saying, I worked in retail PC sales and people will buy things even if you tell them they don't need them just to feel more comfortable with the setup.

Also, I didn't get the "bigweld" thing sorry, not funny.

[NHAnimator @ Nov 13th 2008 2:40PM]

This reminds me of the "Solar Clothes Dryer" that was sold when I was a little tot (25 years ago).

Thing sold for $9.95. In the box was a length of rope.

[Rob @ Nov 13th 2008 3:22PM]

Fred, the "See a need, fill a need" is something the bigweld character says in the Robots animated movie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robots_(film)

[Nomi @ Nov 13th 2008 12:24PM]

Actually I bought these cables and my TV grew 23inches.

[E30 @ Nov 13th 2008 12:31PM]

^ I think you meant: Actually I bought these PILLS and my DICK grew 2.3 inches.
Referring to a similarly marketed pack "Penis Enlargement for Dummies."

[rock99rock @ Nov 13th 2008 12:32PM]

I laughed out loud and people in my office looked at me weird. Then i tried to explain your joke, but they didn't understand. They just didn't understand.

Think of all the money people have wasted over the years on overpriced cables. THATS a figure i'd like to see.

(insert figure joke here)

[rock99rock @ Nov 13th 2008 12:33PM]

EDIT

I was not laughing at E30, only OP.

[Nomi @ Nov 13th 2008 12:57PM]

I buy monoprice, have 3 assorted HDMI cables from them so far. Also, convinced a friend to buy cables for his new hts, he ended up spending 80 bux on some 15 different cables.

[rock99rock @ Nov 13th 2008 1:21PM]

Agreed, monoprice is the shit, but $7 6ft HDMI cables from Frys suffice for an instant purchase.

[Monkee @ Nov 13th 2008 12:29PM]

Sweet! This will go good with my Bose system!

[hugoliva @ Nov 13th 2008 12:33PM]

... and your Monster cables.

[ARGuck @ Nov 13th 2008 12:30PM]

You know I actually kinda feel sorry for people that don't have someone like us engadget readers to tell them not to buy this crap. Some people simply don't understand that stuff and that's fine But if I worked at a CC, BB, etc, and everyday tried to trick some one into buying these damn kits or their other cables for that matter, I would feel the urge to shoot myself in the leg. Yeah, just the leg, I wouldn't feel bad enough to kill myself, but still pretty bad.

[Larry @ Nov 13th 2008 12:30PM]

So we need a Dummies book for buying Dummies books??

[Philippe @ Nov 13th 2008 12:37PM]

No, you need a "Complete Idiot's Guide" for that.

[Brent @ Nov 13th 2008 12:32PM]

How to get rich quick for dummies:

Step 1. Buy lots of HDMI cables for < $10 each
Step 2. Sell them for $150 each
Step 3. Profit

[Monkee @ Nov 13th 2008 12:33PM]

Man, why didnt I think of this. Could make a knock off version of this and sell it on eBay for much less!

[Philippe @ Nov 13th 2008 12:35PM]

"So, I just get this box and my TV becomes HDTV for February, right? Will that fit in the coax socket in the wall?"

[GreezyG @ Nov 13th 2008 12:36PM]

My sister read "Raising Puppies for Dummies" It really helped... she has an awesome dog.

And yes I buy my HDMI cables off of Amazon. 6' typically run for $2. 25' cost me $12

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 13th 2008 1:52PM]

But the part she failed at is utilizing the techniques explained in the book on her child. Her awesome dog, isn't really the dog.

[Kimleng @ Nov 13th 2008 12:38PM]

Damn, that price is kinda steep. I think they screwed the name of the product up. It should actually be:

Monster Cables Concealed in a Yellow Box 4 Dummies

[The Outlaw @ Nov 13th 2008 12:53PM]

Dummies price - $99/$149

Monoprice.com - $38.93/$58.44 minus the useless book

I think we have a winner!

[Gervin @ Nov 13th 2008 1:09PM]

People who buy this get what they deserve.
I can't imagine anyone buying anything in today's age without googling it first.

[Galley @ Nov 13th 2008 1:16PM]

The "For Dummies" series of books are horrible. There's too much running text. If you're really that dumb, all you want to look at are step-by-step photos of what to do.

[EEaudio08 @ Nov 13th 2008 1:17PM]

I got my HDMI cable for $6 and my optical TOSLINK audio cable for $0.73.

[csmitty @ Nov 13th 2008 1:48PM]

Damn you got me beat. I was gonna say I got 2 6' for $2. searchalldeals.com is sweet. As is monoprice.

I feel bad about letting my friend buy cables at best buy when I was there. I kept saying we can get them cheaper. Oh well.

This however is pretty absurd. Buy cables connect them, if someone can't figure that out let BB or whoever install it. Who actually will probably bring the box with them so they can use it.

[w00fy @ Nov 13th 2008 1:47PM]

My theory is the entire "For Dummies" is just the same book with a new title.

For example. TV for Dummies and Sex for Dummies.

1) Take Unit A
2) Stick in Socket B
3) If it does not fit, push harder
4) Repeat until desired results occur

[Joshua Walters @ Nov 13th 2008 9:46PM]

The folks at Best Buy will probably be pushing this to every person that turns down there installation.

Or other stores that dont offer installation will try to bundle it.

[Manhattan @ Nov 13th 2008 11:34PM]

Actually the funniest Dummy title is "Homeschooling for Dummies". True title.

[va jj @ Dec 17th 2008 3:46PM]

and you think the belkin hdmi gold cable was expensive (99.99)