That's not strictly true. Any digital transmission medium is subject to data corruption; there are algorithms to correct such errors, but they may not always get things perfect. A degraded digital signal, because of a poor cable, could well lead to a degraded picture (i.e. one that does not correctly reflect the input).

If you want an extreme demonstration of this just look at a Freeview set where the aerial isn't up to the job.

Depends if the error correction fills in the gaps or if it asks for the data to be retransmitted.

You would need a seriously dodgy HDMI lead to see any problems. Digital will cope with voltage loss, in the case of TTL anything from 2V to VCC (often 5V) will be considered a binary one. 0 to 0.8V is considered a zero.

Edited by deleted (Sun 03-Jan-10 00:53:45)

Any HDMI cable exhibiting the sort of problems associated with a dodgy Freeview aerial (pixelation, loss of signal lock, loss of picture or audio) would be obviously faulty regardless of price. The point here is that there should be absolutely no difference in the bits being transmitted over a cheap vs. an expensive HDMI cable. Certainly none that would cause a pixel on your TV to exhibit a magically different (improved or degraded) shade of red that it didn't exhibit from the same source when using the other cable.

OK. I'm jealous. You've given me ideas! Wife won't be impressed when I start spending money on our new entertainment set-up!

In reply to a post by wellard1981:

Wife won't be impressed when I start spending money on our new entertainment set-up!

Mine didn't want us to get another TV, now that we have, she does see that the picture is better (full 1080P as opposed to 720P) than the old one.

Dude go for it....!

I have not looked at Sky since I added this mac mini HTPC to my setup on Christmas Eve. Since then I've bought a Yamaha RX-V765 AV Receiver and today came the Edge10 Edgestore DAS401 4 Bay enclosure that I've connected to my HP Mediasmart Server.....My movie and music collection has taken on a new life.

If you go for this setup with the Mac Mini, get the Logitech DiNovo Mini Keyboard, it is fantastic... I no longer want to leave the house! 1080p and 720p along with with Plex, BBC Iplayer, 4OD and a host of Internet Channels has got me going crazy!

Go for it...you won't regret it! Promise