http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/ Engadget Comments for Monster "HDMI Difference" scam still kickin' in Fry's Electronics http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
But besides that, it's a disgusting way to milk money out of people.

Snake oil anyone? ]]>Mar 23rd 2009 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 2:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 8:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
I own three or four sets of Monster Cables, but they were deals worked when I bought my TV way back when ("I'll pay a quarter the retail for the cables, it's the least you can do after my buying this TV!"). I would NEVER pay full retail. And, of course, these were component video, which you definitely want to be well-shielded and Oxygen Free Copper.

Note that I also own Phoenix Gold, Monoprice, Bluejean, Radio Shack Gold (before they rebranded it and upped the price) and some custom jobs with Canare endpoints (different gang than bluejean who also uses Canare).

In my experience, they've ALL been great cables, even the Monsters. Gold plating, OFC and shielding are what you need, no matter who you go to.

But as I said, Monster's retail is just hugely overpriced. Hugely, massively, crazily overpriced! ESPECIALLY when it comes to HDMI. But if you can get Monsters for a fair price -- comparable to other cables out there -- there's no reason to say no.

-Pie]]>Mar 23rd 2009 3:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Jun 3rd 2009 6:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 3:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Monster Cable is evil. And their products should be avoided.
]]>Mar 23rd 2009 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
From reading your post, it does not appear that they claim that this is a comparison between Monster's HDMI cable and a competitor's or a generic HDMI cable. So really they are showing off what an HDMI connection can do versus an inferior connection. While this is a little sketchy, since Monster is making the consumer believe that its branded cable is the main reason for the difference in quality, it's not as sketchy as you are implying. ]]>Mar 23rd 2009 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
]]>Mar 23rd 2009 12:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
The transition to HDTV is a HUGE learning curve over regular old SDTV. Resolutions (1080i, 1080p, 720p), Display Technology (CRT, LCD, Plasma, SXRD, ETC.), Sound Formats (DD, DTS, Dolby Digital EX/ Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 / DTS Neo:6 DTS-MA, DD TrueHD), sources (Blu-ray, Cable Box, Tivo, DVD)...

For example. Did YOU know that *every* 1080p TV upscales. And with an HDMI connection, the TVs upscaling from regular DVD may be BETTER than even the best upscaling DVD player. But the primary feature people look for in a DVD player these days is upscaling... when it usually isn't even necessary! Why is that? Does that make these people "Dim Witted"? Or just under-educated?

Cables are just one more piece of the very complicated HD pie. Instead of spending hours on the Internet learning the in-and-outs of HD, many consumers new to the game simply trust the sales people. And since Monster provides a massive profit margin, those sales people are pushing that particular cable (and it's a decent cable, just crazy overpriced).

So it's not fair to say people are "dim witted." Undereducated, for sure, but not "dumb" just because they trust a salesperson whose helping them out.

-Pie]]>Mar 23rd 2009 3:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 12:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
all has to do with shielding and specs(1.3)

buy in bulk and save..and if u still feel slighted, write monster on your cables!]]>Mar 23rd 2009 12:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
That is the intention of the demo, nothing more.. now maybe Fry's is evil, but Monster's intention is simple.
]]>Mar 23rd 2009 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 12:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 1:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
And since this has happened a number of times at "see the Monster cable difference" displays in a number of stores I'd say there's a good chance Monster at least knows about this sleazy tactic if they are not actually instigating it themselves.]]>Mar 23rd 2009 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 1:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 9:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
There is going to be absolutely no difference between a Monster HDMI cable and a cheapo HDMI cable. Digital is digital is digital. As long as it works, it's going to work the same.

If you are comparing HDMI to composite, there is obviously going to be a huge difference... High definition vs standard definition. Digial vs. analog. A composite signal with artifacts from modulating multiple signals onto a single cable vs. discrete signals. Huge!!!!

I have seen the display. It doesn't say anything about HD vs SD. It doesn't say anything about digital vs. analog. It says nothing about "cable in the box vs. our cable." It says "See the Monster HDMI difference." That has some pretty serious implications. They are implying that they are comparing two variants of HDMI. They imply that they are compairing THEIR HDMI against someone else's. But, since digital is digital, that comparison is moot. But they can't compare against other HDMI, because the result would be identical. When you say "difference" and don't specifying what you are comparing against, the implication is that you are comparing against something that is similar. Composite and HDMI are NOT similar.

Monster has always preyed upon consumer ignorance (otherwise they wouldn't survive). This is just another example of that.

And I don't think this is Fry's doing this. The original case of this comparison was found in a Best Buy, not Fry's.
]]>Mar 23rd 2009 1:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Unfortunately their comparison made up for being semi fair as the Monster HDMI cable was in fact not made by Monster brand at all.]]>Mar 23rd 2009 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
There is no one way to read that sign. It's deliberately ambiguous. Perhaps "HDMI" is the subject of "difference"? Then it implies that they're comparing HDMI to something else, in this case, composite.

If the HDMI cables were sufficiently long, there is a difference: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-268788.php

Digital is not digital when the pipes are clogged.]]>Mar 23rd 2009 7:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 4:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Monster:
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3831

Monoprice:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=3661&seq=1&format=3#specification
]]>Mar 23rd 2009 5:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Seems like every decade has it's con artists (and the suckers that buy into their schemes).



]]>Mar 23rd 2009 7:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Consumers are Dim witted for many other reasons than which brand of cable they purchase. I never even implied that it had anything to do with cables. My presumption is that it is the norm for even dumb consumers to have their HD cable/ SAT boxes and BD players connected with HD cables.

Nonetheless here are few examples of how consumers are Dim Witted. Consumers believe anything that is print. If it's in print, it's as good as Gospel. Whats in print even trumps live experimentation. Perfect example, a customer asked me about contrast ratio specs. Even though I explained the process for measuring dynamic contrast, and the plasma I showed them had greater contrast than the LCD next to it (it was very evident) the customer was still sceptical given that the LCD had a higher contrast ratio spec. Did you know Pie that the transition to HDTV has been going for over 9 years now? I'm just counting the years HDTVs have been widely available to consumers. The problem lies with the consumers faith in their internet "Research". Its their over confidence in their internet knowledge that makes them Dim Witted. Granted Big Box store clerks tell tons of lies, but there are many custom, independant, and mom and pop TV stores that have well staffed that have been on the sales floor since before HDTV. Yet consumers don't listen and go by the gospel of the web. Look at all the goons at AVS forum who bought Sharp D62 LCDs thinking they would find that one holy grail model that didn't exhibit poor light uniformity (Unappropriately called Banding). All the units had it and no one could tell them otherwise, so they would buy one unit and return, exchange, then return it again, etc. Consumers need to become more savvy and willing to trust their own judgement rather than some guru, be it a blogger or salesman.

BTW, I have been screaming the same thing about upscaling for years and it only falls on deaf ears, be it customers, or idiots on the web. Again look at AVSforum, the supposed destination for Audio Video Science, truckloads of posts on cheap upscaling DVD players, even if it will be mated to a Pioneer Elite.]]>Mar 23rd 2009 8:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 9:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 23rd 2009 9:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Thing is I was recently at the Fremont, Ca store. They had a whole rack of >$10.00, 10ft long, white label, HDMI cables. They were in about midway down the waiting lane. I kick myself for only buying one. ]]>Mar 24th 2009 12:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Signed,
Monoprice Shopper]]>Mar 24th 2009 1:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 24th 2009 11:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
now if they are saying that monster's hdmi is better than brand x hdmi... well then yeah.
]]>Mar 24th 2009 11:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/It wouldnt matter if the cable was made of conductive chocolate, with digital it would either work or it wouldnt there is no inbetween, the only advantage with a quality cable is you may be able to achieve a longer cable run before it started to fail.

There is terrible confusion regarding AV conectivity and its a tragedy that this kind of scam makes it even harder for customers to figure out.


]]>Mar 24th 2009 3:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 24th 2009 7:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
This has been done so many times. What's harder to pick out is the MONSTER HDMI cable to the Generic HDMI cable connection scam. Only this case, the Generic Cable HDTV has been adjusted to have a Poor Looking Picture. Not Hugely as to be totally unbelievable, but enough where you can SEE that that MONSTER cable setup does look better. ]]>Mar 25th 2009 12:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Magic bricks, pebbles, clamps to prevent "vibrations", were all fads. They still sell magic pebbles, but the bricks seem to have disappeared for some reason. The cable nonsense seems to have spread over from the audio side to the video side, and some people will defend cable differences as if they are defending their religion. Actually, I think they are defending their religion.

I tell everyone I know to avoid the $$$ cables, they are a scam, and the sad thing is, most people don't have anyone to tell them the truth.]]>Mar 25th 2009 3:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
www.sadvertising.blogspot.com]]>Mar 28th 2009 4:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Mar 25th 2009 4:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/index.htm
]]>Mar 30th 2009 4:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/Apr 1st 2009 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Go Blue Jeans Cable!!!]]>Apr 5th 2009 3:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/shielding ? yes. on analog cables.
for hdmi / it all does not matter. hdmi is a differential DIGITAL link that uses a form of LVDS signalling. as long as the lines are equal length you are set.]]>Apr 5th 2009 8:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/23/monster-hdmi-difference-scam-still-kickin-in-frys-electronic/
Think from a retailers perspective....
Its setting up a pitch for HD wires with a TV , Blu ray or even upconverting DVDs.
What comes in the boxes of all those products? Composite. InSOME cases you get better.
What do you need to buy to get the picture difference?
Sure maybe not huge margin monster wire - but I'm sure that not the objective for them at all.

So much hate out there, jeez.]]>Apr 17th 2009 10:38PM