[rdl]

There actually are differences in digital cables (like HDMI, cat6 utp, etc.), though -- they become apparent in longer runs. I've seen really crappy 2m HDMI which wouldn't actually sync.

The price point for decent cables isn't high, it's just not the absolute cheapest cables. I'd probably exceed the spec for long runs or noisy environments, too. I mainly go with monoprice for short, and blue jeans cable for longer.

[busterarm]

Yes, there has been testing that there are quality differences in HDMI cables over 30'. But it's not Monster's gold plated contacts that makes them better, it's alwayas cable materials and shielding.

Every objective test that I've seen though with tested-good HDMI cables shows no difference until that 30' mark. The HDMI licensing board recommends that past 30' you use signal amplifiers or HDMI-to-Ethernet anyway.

Maybe out past 10' you'd want to worry about cable insulation? I haven't been in a situation to worry about it yet. At 2m I'd think any cable that doesn't sync is defective. I'm not interested in paying 10x-100x the price for higher manufacturing quality control standards.

[rdl]

I'm mostly talking about $3-8 cables (CL2 2m from Monoprice) vs. $1-3 cables (chinese mystery crap). I also really prefer 24 to 28 awg.