I’ll accept that “cables make a difference” in certain situations. Cable length, interference, and corrosion can effect cables, especially analog signals, and I’ve seen some improvements in using higher-end cables on higher-end gear. This, however, is unacceptable. Gizmo Republic visited a big box store where they found some red hot Monster HDMI cables for sale and demo showing the clear Monster Cable difference: Monster on the left, inferior competitor on the right.
Why was the competitor inferior? Because the big box sales folks connected composite cables to one TV and a Monster Cable HDMI cable to another. They then ran the same signal to both TVs over different resolution cables. It would be like adding racing stripes to a Formula 1 car and racing a Ford Focus, saying that the racing stripes improved the speed. This is so egregious that it makes me wonder how they’re getting away with it but, as we all know, suckers gestate in sixty second intervals.
Monster brand has been running this scam for years. The big box retailers have found outrageously priced accessories to be a good way to recoup profits from the pencil thin profit margins on big ticket consumer electronics like HDTVs.
Everyone deserves their buck, but this makes me sick. Be careful out there, kids.
Monster HDMI Cable Scam [GizmoRepublic]
Are you saying it should be a HDMI and component cable face-off?
Or are you saying that Monster is the inferior brand of all cables? That there should be a HDMI vs HDMI.
He is saying it should be Monster HDMI vs. A cheap HDMI cable. In that situation the images would look identical! This is a disgusting underhanded method of selling overpriced cable. BOYCOT MONSTER CABLE AND ALL OF THEIR LIES!!!!
“worst. demonstration. ever.”
oops, Anon @ 7:17 was me :)
Depends on what you are trying to test.
If you want to prove that Monster HDMI cables are the best, then the only fair test is to compare budget hdmi to monster hdmi. Chances are you will not see the difference.
If you want to test HDMI vs Composite – fine, but you are only comparing different cables specifications. This is a shameful practice.
If I read John Biggs’ post correctly the “big box sales folks” did the connecting of the cables.
How does that fact make Monster guilty of anything?
Although the article from GizmoRepublic that is linked makes no mention of who did the cabling.
If I were the author, I would be careful when accusing someone (Monster) of fraud without proof.
Monster is guilty of this display with the retailers following suit. The display wouldn’t even be possible without Monster’s participation.
I have reported on a similar scam pulled by Monster Cable in the past. Years ago this display was making rounds at Canadian big box retailers.
http://www.hometheaterfocus.com/home-theater-canada/future-shop-monster.aspx
Because of the Monster branding on the display, there is no way Monster itself is not guilty. The same “Monster” posters are found all around other similar displays at other big box stores. Although the one I got pictures of happened to be written in marker. Perhaps Monster is just starting to back away from this practice and the retailer sees value in it.
But, if that’s the case, Monster needs to set the record straight. The retailers cannot use their products in fraudulent displays without their consent.