Ottovonmo's locking HDMI cables solve a problem you likely don't have

For the vast majority of home theater aficionados who don't wake up grumbling about how their collection of HDMI connectors have somehow wiggled free from their sockets overnight, we'd probably stick to the cables you're currently using. For folks living in Earthquake-prone territories or with children who just love to snatch, however, Ottovonmo's locking HDMI cables could be just the thing you've been dreaming of. As the title implies, each cable has a locking mechanism that requires an intentional movement on your part in order to disengage it. Based on ProVideo Coalition's impressions, it actually worked well in testing -- but then again, we wouldn't expect anything less for $59.95 (three-foot version) and way, way up.

[Via ProVideo Coalition]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 2:36PM]

Good idea for the reasons said in the article but one again another no-good reason to charge a very high price for a HDMI cable.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 2:51PM]

yayyy! another way to trick people into paying $60-$100 for a $4 cable! yayyy!

[CharlieX Posted Apr 14th 2008 3:55PM]

So now when your little buggers yank the cable... the whole TV comes crashing down

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 4:25PM]

Ummm ... why wouldn't you *want* the cables to disconnect if tugged on with significant force? Better than the alternative of damaging the HDMI port/cable or pulling a component off its shelf.

Wait, I know -- maybe Ottovonmo can come up with a version of their locking HDMI cables but with a breakaway connector added in-line! That version would have to be $89.95, though -- you know, more expensive because of the extra damage protection it offers your equipment.

[DrXym Posted Apr 14th 2008 4:49PM]

My generic no-name cable manages to fit snugly into the HDMI port. I don't imagine that loose connections really are that common an issue. I don't recall any USB / Firewire / power / HDMI / SCART / composite / coaxial cable ever coming loose.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 5:17PM]

Actually some HDMI cables do come loose from time to time because of length and weight of the cable, and this is a very good idea by Ottovonmo. I actually have the problem with my bedroom DVD player's HDMI cable.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 5:38PM]

Actually, (sans the stupid freakin' price) it's a good idea. I'm a fairly standard user, and have connections issues all over the place. The HDMI connection doesn't stay put on my projector...if I adjust it up or down (ceiling mount) it's immediately out. And on the back out my Outlaw receiver, which has DVI jacks for video (their solution for before HDMI was standard) I've got DVI-HDMI adapters...and those wiggle out as well.

And I've talked to several people with the same issue. If you wanted to go Mac Mini HTPC, and bought any sort of HDMI switcher, you're using a 3ft cable to run 6 inches...that sort of bend causes them to wiggle lose if you just adjust your box or put in a DVD.

Also, you should have "little buggers" stepping on your cables anyway. What are they doing crawling behind your equipment.

I definitely agree, the price is outrageous. I bought some pretty cheapies from www.firefold.com...and they work fine...except they wiggle out.

Or maybe even "wiggle out" isn't the right term...but they don't stay in like firewire/usb/8th inch/rca/etc.

I'm rambling here. Good day.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 5:49PM]

think car audio installations, esp those show cars with displays that are on motorised mounts.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 5:54PM]

Yes, finally. When my hdmi cables (n)ever come uplugged without my consent I will track these down!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 14th 2008 11:03PM]

It definitely isn't as secure as RCA, and those don't have locking tabs. BNC, DVI and VGA do offer secure means of locking. I've never damaged anything with something that doesn't disconnect when tugged. I know it's possible, but I've had more irritations with VGA & DVI cables getting disconnected when I don't thread the screws in, so I just screw them in unless it's a temporary connection.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 15th 2008 10:51AM]

I have HDMI cables fall out on a few occasions. The HDMI ports on the Pioneer PDP-6010FD face down, so I had to use a wire tie to hold it, so the weight of the wire wouldn't pull it out. I've also had them pull out on the back of equipment when reaching back behind to run another wire.

I think this is a good idea, but not worth the price.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 29th 2008 5:03AM]

Hi Justin,

Good tip about the locking HDMI cables. Will look into that!

On related matters thought you might like to take a look at a good site I just found which specialises in all things to do with cables. It's at http://www.cablesadvice.com - Seems to have cool pictures, and would be useful.

Regards,

Stuart

[(Unverified) Posted May 1st 2008 3:22PM]

I found some of the comments objective, and others to be, well, uninformed.

1. The connector is locking, to a degree. It will pull out, just at a higher pull force (2-3 lbs std cable vs. PPC's 33 lbs)

2. The cable used in the creation of the cables is high density strand, pure copper, multi twist pairs, redundantly sheilded. I.E. it ain't cheap nor is R&D.

3. Unsure where you get $4 hdmi cables that pass anything above 480i, I'd sure love to know because we buy HDMI for giveaway cables at 3.5M per month and our cost is a few dollars more than that for a 6'.

4. Anyone ever look at its competition? Their prices are right up there too. Its about perceptions, offer a low price cable and the customer will perceive it as that. The market leader, their top level cable, 3', non-locking: cost to them from china is $22, retail is 79.

I don't begrudge any of you for not knowing a cat 1 cable from a cat 2 but surfice to say that Sony only uses PPC cables in their test lab for 1440i and Red is using them in testing for their new 5K camera. If you can pick to use any cable and choose to seek out PPC to supply the cables, that has to say something.