Yeah, whoever designed the HDMI connector deserves a good. Those locking adapters are indeed kinda pricy (more than the cable), but might be very useful for installations where the cable just won't stay put. Keep us posted on how well they work.
While reading the new July issue of Stereophile, I came across a good article on HDMI cables. The article is mostly about the cables one achilles heal... light clamping force. The article goes on to state that the problem is not just aggravating, but can lead to cable and or socket failure. If the cable connection is dislodged too many times it can cause the cable or socket to fail permanently.
They go on to give a few cable solutions, namely cables with a tighter clamping force, cables with a PC type screw connector, and finally a clamp system for use on any HDMI cable.
The latter is the solution that most interested me, since I will soon be putting my A/V system together, and plan to use HDMI between my Oppo Blu-ray player & A/V receiver, and from the receiver to the plasma TV.
The company is Blue Echo Solutions, and the clamp is called hd EZ lock. While maybe not the best solution for those constantly moving gear around, it seems like a good solution for my needs. It's not exactly cheap at $20.00 per pair, but can be a bargain compared to socket replacement or cable failure.
I'll expound more on them once they've arrived and have been installed in my system.
Blue Echo Solutions: hd EZ lock - Universal HDMI Locking Adapter, HDMI Cables, and more Consumer Electronics Solutions | www.blueechosolutions.com
Yeah, whoever designed the HDMI connector deserves a good. Those locking adapters are indeed kinda pricy (more than the cable), but might be very useful for installations where the cable just won't stay put. Keep us posted on how well they work.
1:08 AM [cetoole] holy cow this lube made a huge difference
8:00 PM [screaming oranges] i remember the first time i saw a vagina. I thought it resembled folded ham
8:01 PM [Dash] most guys showed up with a condom, SO showed up with rolls and a deli slicer
The difficulties with the connector, bad though they are, are a far second to the difficulties caused by the cable topology. Blue Jeans FAQ section gives a most marvelous breakdown of HDMI hate.
THE KNAVE: Thou bringest a cur to ninepins?
WALTER: I bring naught to ninepins. The dog is not attired by my hand to play at sport, nor do I fetch it ale, nor shall he throw thy bowl-turn in thy stead.
You reali(s/z)e of course, that its going to change, again (and again ...) .
New hdmi cable standard comes out - The Inquirer
And it was such a good idea in the first place
What's the Matter with HDMI? — Reviews and News from Audioholics
Yep hdmi seriously sucks.
I've built small metal brackets, custom for each device. Attaches to
a nearby screw, and holds the cable perfectly level about 3 inches
away from the connector. No problem so far.
For the long runs of which i have 2, i'm using hdmi to dual 100T ethernet
converters. Works great with cat6 cable even at 1080p.
Do you use them just for video?
So that makes Parasound's choice to use them for I2S even more questionable?
(makes a mental note to make a mental note)I remain,
Dirty Laundry Will Out.
In Russia, Fascism embraces you.
:-Peter, aka :-Dusty :-Chalk
I'm going to try it for video and audio.
I've been reading about these complaints regarding HDMI cables for years now and while I agree the design is pretty piss poor I still wonder how many people have actually had connectors fail and that sort of thing?
Headphones: HD-800, HE-5, HP-2
Sources: APL Denon 3910, TooleAudio Adcom GCD-750
Headphone Amps: The Menace
Power Amps: D-Sonic Magnum 1500-3
Speakers: Selah Audio 3D
I've been using HDMI for just about a couple years, and have no complaints what so ever. And I plug-unplug my PS3 two to three times per week when I move it.
Home: [Denon 2900] -> [M^3] -> [ATH-W10VTG]
Desktop: [Denon 2900] -> [Denon 2500] -> [Focal-JM Labs Chorus 706v]
Office: [HP Mini 1000] -> [ATH-ESW9]
Portable: [inano4] -> [JH5pro]
Speakers: [Denon 3910] -> [Denon AVR-987] -> [Kef iQ9]
So these have shown up, and have been installed.
They're easy to install and clamp like a son of a gun! You could drag your piece of gear behind the car by the HDMI cable, with this thing installed!
I have found that the Audioquest HDMI cables have pretty good clamping force. I use the HDMI-A's which are their low end cables, and have had no problems with them coming loose. Their audio and video performance is pretty good to for a reasonably priced cable.
Here's my idea of a reasonably priced HDMI cable.
It's not arms or legs
I bought mine from cablesforless.com...
CablesforLess - Standard Quality HDMI Cables (For those on a budget)
They're pretty heavy, and seem to be well made, with gold plated connectors as well.
THE KNAVE: Thou bringest a cur to ninepins?
WALTER: I bring naught to ninepins. The dog is not attired by my hand to play at sport, nor do I fetch it ale, nor shall he throw thy bowl-turn in thy stead.