A question for anyone who uses Monster Cables for capturing.

[cactusjack310]

I was just wondering, is it really worth getting Monster Cables? I mean I know they will be alot better than those cheap cords that came with my VCR and satellite box, but I mainly want to know is there much of a difference between the Monster Super Video™ 2 High Resolution S-Video Cable and the Monster Super Video™ 3 Double Shielded S-Video Cable? I plan on getting one of them so I can hook up my VCR or satellite box up to my Canopus ADVC-100, but will I get a noticeable quality difference if I get the Super Video 3 over the Super Video 2? Has anyone had any experience with either of these cables?

[The village idiot]

No experience with Monster cables, other than over priced. I have been using the cables the Radio shack carries. They seem to be pretty good. Also I have an RCA brand S-video cable that is good. Hope this helps.

Mostly all that oxygene free copper cable stuff is pure crap, only meant to seperate you from your money. The more techno jargon they put on the box, the more money they charge. You are not likely to be able to see the difference on a consumer TV. You are not likely to see the difference on most professional monitors on the composite input. At least not in the 3 to 6 foot (1-2 meters) lengths that most people use.

For what you are doing, the free cables will probably be fine. The the radioshack ones are a nice step up.

[The village idiot]

OK, I just read through the links. They have some points. They also have some crap! The picture of the cut cable looks identical to the radio shack. I have cut the RS cables and looked inside them. They are very similar. The only other points worth noting:

Use of silver bearing solder on gold connectors - good idea

Good shielding for long runs - also good idea, if you believe that their cables are better shielded that is.


Compare the prices for monster with radioshack and you decide. If you have cable runs shorter than 12-15 feet (3-5 meters), I doubt you will see any difference in you captured video. Unless of course you live right next to a TV/radio transmitter. Then you will want to get the best shielding you can find.

If you really must have the best cable you can get, then make your own cables. Buy some S-video connectors, and some Belden 8218 video cable. Or better yet, use Belden 1505 cable. We use that for analog and digital video cable. 1505 is rated to 3 Ghz (I think). If you have a really long run, then use Belden 8281 cable (or 8281F).