A few days ago I watched a Canadian television show called market place. They did a report on how stores add expensive cables to the purchase of a new HDTV. The cable are called HDMI and are offered by the sales person, who in most cases leads you to believe that your new TV will not work well without cables that cost $200.00 or more. The most famous brand would be the Monster Cables. The questions is do you need these cables? The CBC network that aired the show had the expensive cables tested at their head office against a cable that cost $12.00 online. I know that there is room for debate, but if the CBC which broadcasts in HD and has so many years of television experience test a cable I do have faith in them. The result was that the expensive cables performed exactly the same as the $12.00 no name brand cable bought online.

If you are in the market for a HDTV stay away from the expensive cables you do not need to spend the extra money, unless you are rich and want to brag that you spent $200 on a cable. The same is true with USB printer cables (which I bought for $1.00 at the dollar store) if bought with a new printer, stores charge about $25.00 for the cable. I have not had any problems with my dollar store USB cable in 3 years since I go the printer. I also have bought a S-Video cable from the dollar store and it has worked will with my DVD player and TV. If you are going to buy cables I recommend that you do some research before you buy. Also do not believe the sales person the cables are just an extra sale for them that provides some extra commission.

Today on CNET.com they also had the same idea. Do not fall for the scam you do not need a $200.00 Monster Cable to make your new HDTV set up work properly.

Here is the link to the CNET.com story CLICK HERE for story on CNET.com

Please pass this information around do not let your friends and family be taken advantage on these high priced cables.