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What cords do I have to buy for ATV?

kingshrubb

kingshrubb

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 3, 2008
154
0
How do I hook this up to my HDTV? I went to radioshack and the guy was trying to sell me cables for $60 (what the hell?) :confused:

My HDTV is a Hitachi Ultravision. Can anyone link me some cables that are a good deal? Thanks =)
 
I don't know your tv, but does it have a HDMI slot? If so that is what I would use. You can do a search on amazon.com and see the price range.. from 1.99-$$$$.

You didn't mention will this be going from apple tv to your stereo ie

apple tv via hdmi>>tv

apple tv via hdmi>>stereo (if your home theater stereo can handle hdmi)>>to tv

apple tv via hdmi>>tv - apple tv sound>>to stereo

apple tv via hdmi>>tv - apple tv sound optical>>to stereo

apple tv via component>>tv - apple tv sound>>to stereo

apple tv via component>>tv - apple tv sound optical>>to stereo

apple tv via component>>stereo>>to tv same for sound optical or stereo

This should get you started

and of course a network cable or wifi.
 
Monoprice.com is very popular in the online enthusiast market, known for building good quality, affordable cables. Here is their website:

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

If you want more specific advice, you'll have to let us know more about your setup, such as any other gear involved other than your TV and AppleTV and if your TV has HDMI inputs.
 
There is no need to buy an expensive HDMI cable unless there is something unusual about your setup (long lengths, embedded in walls, etc.). I have bought several 3' and 6' HDMI cables from Monoprice and haven't had any problems.
 
kingshrubb said:
apple tv via hdmi>>tv is what I will be doing.
Click to expand...

The Apple Store will sell you HDMI cables for $20. Yes, they are still overpriced, but if you have a store nearby and you don't want to wait for the mail, there it is.

A.
 
Alrescha said:
The Apple Store will sell you HDMI cables for $20. Yes, they are still overpriced, but if you have a store nearby and you don't want to wait for the mail, there it is.

A.
Click to expand...

Walmart is also a source for reasonably priced HDMI cables. And there's usually a Walmart around just about everyone.
 
Gold plated connectors and such is a con with HDMI. HDMI is digital, either it works or it doesn't. Buy the cheapest HDMI cable available, despite what the idiots at Best Buy say.
 
This happens all the time. They try to push the more expensive cables onto you so they make more money. While there is usually a very slight improvement in picture quality it is not worth the extra money as its almost not noticeable.

Just get a £20 hdmi to hdmi cable and your set. Dont let them push stuff onto you that you dont need.
 
MacBoobsPro said:
Just get a £20 hdmi to hdmi cable and your set. Dont let them push stuff onto you that you dont need.
Click to expand...

Dude,

£20 for an HDMI cable????? You UKers are getting ripped off. £20 is what, like $500US now? ;)

Seriously, if you can wait for the mail, get cables at monoprice. $6 for a quality 1.3a HDMI cable (10ft). The hardest decision is what color to get.
 
MacBoobsPro said:
This happens all the time. They try to push the more expensive cables onto you so they make more money. While there is usually a very slight improvement in picture quality it is not worth the extra money as its almost not noticeable.
Click to expand...

The only time I would suggest a more expensive cable would be for a long run. Other than that, as I said, it's digital, either it works or it doesn't. If it doesn't work you will see artifacts on the screen, like when theres a storm and your Sky/Freeview/etc. goes down.

Gold plated connectors only have any effect on an analogue connection which can degrade, ie. scart.

Digital only degrades over extremely long distances, to the point where the receiver can not tell the difference between a 1 and a 0 (binary), for example digital television and this would certainly not happen over a HDMI cable.

In short, its crap, don't buy into it. There is no difference in picture quality, either noticeable or not noticeable.

Just get a £20 hdmi to hdmi cable and your set. Dont let them push stuff onto you that you dont need.
Click to expand...

£20? Try £4 :D http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130508 (Yes I know thats gold plated, but that was the cheapest).
 
Another vote for monoprice here.

I've purchased at least 10 HDMI cables from them, ranging from 3ft to 10ft and never had an issue. It's very hard to beat their pricing. You can also pick up just about anything else there. Some Cat 6 patch cables for my AEBS, Optical cables, etc.
 
nick9191 said:
The only time I would suggest a more expensive cable would be for a long run. Other than that, as I said, it's digital, either it works or it doesn't. If it doesn't work you will see artifacts on the screen, like when theres a storm and your Sky/Freeview/etc. goes down.

Gold plated connectors only have any effect on an analogue connection which can degrade, ie. scart.

Digital only degrades over extremely long distances, to the point where the receiver can not tell the difference between a 1 and a 0 (binary), for example digital television and this would certainly not happen over a HDMI cable.

In short, its crap, don't buy into it. There is no difference in picture quality, either noticeable or not noticeable.



£20? Try £4 :D http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130508 (Yes I know thats gold plated, but that was the cheapest).
Click to expand...

Wow they have dropped in price since I bought mine. :D Although I know there were cheaper ones at the time.
 
ftaok said:
And there's usually a Walmart around just about everyone.
Click to expand...

It's a funny thing. If I draw a circle with my house at the center and the nearest Wal-Mart at the outer edge, there are no less than six Apple stores inside that circle.

A.
 
Alrescha said:
It's a funny thing. If I draw a circle with my house at the center and the nearest Wal-Mart at the outer edge, there are no less than six Apple stores inside that circle.

A.
Click to expand...

Must be nice.. I have three in my area, nearest one is 25+ miles away..........and that is being generous. Through in traffic and might as well make a day out of it. :)
 
rhett7660 said:
Must be nice.. I have three in my area, nearest one is 25+ miles away..........and that is being generous. Through in traffic and might as well make a day out of it. :)
Click to expand...

Fun game.

I just checked the maps and I have 5 Apple Stores within 25 miles of my house, with the closest being 9 miles away.

I have 3 Walmart stores that fall inside of 9 miles.

I'm in SE Pennsylvania.
 
ftaok said:
Dude,

£20 for an HDMI cable????? You UKers are getting ripped off. £20 is what, like $500US now? ;)

Seriously, if you can wait for the mail, get cables at monoprice. $6 for a quality 1.3a HDMI cable (10ft). The hardest decision is what color to get.
Click to expand...

That's the price of Buying British...
 
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