A/V Cable Advice

[osprey4]

We're just about to take the plunge on some home theatre equipment at BB. But their prices on cables are insane. Any advice on a reputable online supplier of A/V cables, s-video, RCA, etc.?

TIA.

[agathodaimon]

Radio Shack
I bought ALL of my cables from them, and they're a very nice quality.

I'm a freak when it comes to audio/video quality, but I noticed NO DIFFERENCE in quality from the Monster Cable brand at Best Buy from the Radio Shack brand of cables.
Not to mention, Radio Shack's are about half the price!!!

[[Neo770]]

Yep Radio Shack cable will be fine, you'd probably only notice the difference on a really high end set of speakers.

[osprey4]

agathodaimon, do you use those gold plated ones? Seems a little much for an audio cable. What level of quality do you suggest?

[agathodaimon]

oh yeah, gold plated is the only way to go.

For DVD or digital devices, if they can, use an OPTICAL cable. The sound will be so much better. If not optical, use a digital COAX.

I know that Radio shack has a set called the "Gold Series". That is all their really nice stuff.

[Blac]

Best Buy generally has decent prices on the major equipment, but their peripherals are where they make their money. This is a common strategy in retail sales.

[osprey4]

I'm not exactly sure what all we'll need until I bring the thing home and start to set it up. For video, DVD to TV, we can use an S-video cable. For audio, I guess we can use two RCA cables, maybe there's a digital sound output from the DVD to the receiver?

Thanks for the help. This stuff is completely new to me. All we've ever had during our 20 years of marriage is an old Pioneer receiver that's been shot for years.

[agathodaimon]

most newer model receivers and dvd players (even digital cable boxes) should have a digital audio and/or video connection. That's the best way to go if they've got it IMO. You won't probably notice much difference with a digital VIDEO cable unless you have a HDTV or one of those fancy digital TV's.

[davidamarkley]

Check THIS out...

They are notexpensive, and work better than those "Monster cables"!

HTH,
David

[osprey4]

David, boy does that bring back memories. We always used to make out own cables and stuff back when my high school buddies and I were bringing down the house with our cheap electric guitars.

I'll definitely look into it.