Downsides to cheap HDMI cables?

[Imperfect Dark]

I know people say they're all the same, but there has to be some reason that some cables cost more than others.

[ZeroAX]

I know people say they're all the same, but there has to be some reason that some cables cost more than others.

brand name?

EDIT

also length

[GSZX1337]

Massive consumer price gouging?

[dlmvii]

I know people say they're all the same, but there has to be some reason that some cables cost more than others.

Branding is the biggest reason.
There may be some merit to cables like composite, s-video, etc carrying better picture with different brands, but hdmi (among others) is a digital signal. That means the is a very black and white distinction between it working, and not working. The only way some might be better than others is the amount of a beating they can take. But really, for home use, there's no difference.

[Octopod]

What is expensive and what is cheap for HDMI cables? I bought 5 of them at $30 a pop which seemed like an average price at the time, which was less than a year ago.

[Imperfect Dark]

I know people say they're all the same, but there has to be some reason that some cables cost more than others.

Branding is the biggest reason.
There may be some merit to cables like composite, s-video, etc carrying better picture with different brands, but hdmi (among others) is a digital signal. That means the is a very black and white distinction between it working, and not working. The only way some might be better than others is the amount of a beating they can take. But really, for home use, there's no difference.

Wow. Thanks. I'm glad I have a better understanding.

[Droid party]

As long as the quality of the cable is ok ensuring reliable connection, there is not much that can go wrong. The only other thing to look for is which version of hdmi it is you're looking for (1.3,1.4,etc) Apart from that I can tell no difference between $10 cables and $200 cables.

I work at an electrical store and when I sell something to someone that needs hdmi I tell them to save their money and just buy a reasonable quality cheaper cable.

[Imperfect Dark]

What is expensive and what is cheap for HDMI cables? I bought 5 of them at $30 a pop which seemed like an average price at the time, which was less than a year ago.

There is a pair of 6' cables for $13 on Best Buy's site.

[Lokkenjawnz]

The key to HDMI cables is to avoid major retailers like the plague. I picked up an HDMI cable off Amazon for under $5 shipped, and it works perfectly. When it comes to digital, don't ever buy brand name, you're just going to get ripped off.

[SegaDreamscape]

I have 2 HDMI cables, one i paid £34 for and one i got in a bundle with a ps3 stand, controller and dvd remote for £15 im using a 37" samsung lcd and i honestly cant tell the difference both look fantastic but the £34 cable is about 30cm longer.