Aren’t All Cables the Same?

Great idea for an article, but can you please post more specific data including additional details/pictures of the “test jig”, the testing process, cable lengths, etc.  Brands would certainly be helpful as well if you’re brave enough to post.  Thanks.

@stevecoon
I have personally discussed this issue with Mr. Boccaccio over the past 5 months, and he was gracious enough to spend hours of his time with me on the phone explaining his discoveries.

Regarding, “details/pictures of his test jig,” I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for any details. This device is proprietary to DPL Labs which is the only company I know of that is currently and effectively working on a solution for all of us.

Jeff has spent countless hours, (7 days a week), in his lab, and has traveled from city to city to personally visit & trouble shoot on-going installations without receiving a dime for his field expertise services or his travel expenses. His dedication to problem solving far out weighs his desire for any personal financial gain.

Simply put, the equation he’s working with is more than staggering due to the following;
1. Dramatic variations of video voltage outputs of Blu Ray players from manufacturer to manufacturer.
2. Dramatic variations & methods of video processing, sensitivity, and video outputs of A/V receivers from manufacturer to manufacturer.
3. Dramatic variations of a TV’s video input sensitivity from manufacturer to manufacturer.
4. Dramatic variations of video voltage outputs from manufacturer to manufacturer of cable and sat boxes.
5. Dramatic variations of signal continuity & loss for not only the quality of the video cable, but also the length.

The bottom line is that there is only a minimum set industry standard for HDMI, and some manufacturers don’t even meet that spec. Some companies well exceed the standard, and others, (which will remain nameless at this point), barely meet the minimum. Also keep in mind, the price or brand recognition of a product has no bearing of its overall quality. In other words, don’t expect a $5K Blu Ray player to out perform one that may cost 1/10 of the price.

DPL Labs mission is to set a standard for all video products to go above and beyond the minimum spec, and have enough dynamic headroom built in to compensate for other brands who barely achieve minimum spec. A DPL rated video product is similar to a THX rated audio product. Some manufacturers have already met the standard, and many others are on board trying to achieve it with Jeff’s help.

The DPL rating will assure the end user not only the quality they expect and demand, but will also insure that custom installers will be home at a reasonable hour instead of troubleshooting a system failure in front of a client until midnight.

Anyone who reads my posts already knows I have no problem or fear of bashing/exposing a manufacture who produces a crappy product, or an individual that does not meet IMO a professional standard. On the other hand, I also go out of my way to make sure that companies and individuals who well exceed the expected professional standard are truly recognized for their hard work, contributions, and dedication to this industry that I love and have given my life to.

Jeff Boccacio, take a bow… Thanks in
advance for setting the bar so high!

I’m with stevecoon. Without details, this is an awfully thin thesis. I’m very curious about the results you refer to, but since you don’t actually give any of them, I’m not sure what good this is to me.

Load of Crap. Digital is digital - it is either on or off. You work for Monster cables or something?

When I read the article and posted my initial comment, I assumed Jeff Boccacio was a writer for CEPro and that CEPro was doing the testing.  I was surprised by the total lack of specific information.  After reading Dave Stevens’ comments, I reread the article and noticed the Boccacio is the president of DPL Labs, the company referenced in the first paragraph. 

Clicking on the link to his website, I still find a relative lack of specifics.  I assume detailed information is contained in the HDMI white paper, but you have to provide personal info in order to receive it.

I’d love to see an article written by CEPro about the subject.  Perhaps interview style with Mr. Boccacio.

“However, take that same receiver and connect it to a Blu-ray player at 1080p/60Hz and you either get intermittent operation or total failure.”

That’s correct. The information sent is digital. It either works or it does not work. As long as it works, buying a more expensive “better” cable will not make any improvement. Load of BS trying to get people to pay more for high end cables.

WOW.  This probably the most useless article I’ve ever read…  no specifics, no nothing.  how is this even science-related?

This guy is spot on, only buy cables from us, why pay $5 for a 6 foot hdmi cable when you can pay us $70 and not notice the difference!!!!

Reminds me of the days of Green marker for CD’s, oxygen free speaker cable, and the “better” sound of tube amps. I’m sure there is a quality threshold for HDMI cables, but without providing details on a blind controlled evaluation any recommmendation for or against high-end cables is moot. As many who are reading this article came to it thru AVS forum, alot of us purchase cables from an approved AVS Forum vendor who charges relatively minuscule prices for their cables(optical,Component,
HDMI,etc)and they have always performed for me without incident. The one Brand name “High-end cable I did purchase, a Digital coaxial cuts out all the time and needs to be replaced.

Total Baloney, the producers of this article should be sued.  As an Engineer who occasionally designs Cables, although not HDMI, the “test info” is COMPLETELY lacking.  Post real data, or you sir are a Liar.  Anyhow, yes, digital is digital, it can only either be “ON” or “OFF”... that is the ENTIRE point of digital.  I am an avid A/V enthusiast of over 30 years, I have two extensive HTs, and two more mini-HTs, in my house using two-dozen or so HDMIs with every manner and brand of component conceivable.  I have used NOTHING but the generic $5-10 cables from MONOPRICE, guess what? All have performed PERFECTLY.  This article is nothing more than felonious propaganda.

Good point “Xhibit#4” the only two cables I have ever had fail, were both very expensive “Monster” brand units, one Digital Coax - and one Optical Digital.

What a worthless article! There are 0 facts, 0 figures, and 0 real details. Yet, at the end the bottom line says “Only use highly rated cables”. This is like saying “do some exercise and you will lose weight.” So, if I walk for 20 feet I will lose weight? In my opinion, either provide real data or consider this article merely opinion.

With so much emphasis on high priced cable companies selling “snake oil”, to publish claims such as these without any backup data is akin to trying to sell a used car to someone over the phone by saying, “No really, I’ve tested it myself and it really is better than the other car that Guy-X is selling, trust me!”

Without data you’re no different than anyone else with an opinion. Show me the data to backup your claims, but until that time I’m calling B.S.

These articles are simply not true.. People now see through the shenanigans. Digital is digital it either works or it doesn’t.. While some HDMI cables may not be certified you would be very hard pressed to find them.. Unless you shop exclusively on ebay.. I always buy generic HDMI (CERTIFIED) cables and they perform just fine to specs.. An expensive monster cable is no better whatsoever..

Oh wait, I get it, the article is right, not all HMDI Cables are the same!

Some are different colors!

Some are different lengths!

Some have shiny connectors!

Who writes this crap, folks that are too stupid to work at checkout stand Tabloids???