Home Theater Spot

Article by Ralph Potts    (09-03-07 11:30 AM)

SpoTlight on: TendonUSA HDMI & Component video cables









TendonUSA is a web based company that sells a variety of cabling that can be used for computer networking and home theater. They promote their cabling as high quality, stylish, and affordable. According to their website they sell the following types of cabling in various lengths:

  • Audio cables - Digital Coaxial/Optical & RCA
  • Video cables - Composite, s-video, component
  • HDMI
  • HDMI to DVI
  • DVI
  • DVI to HDMI
  • Firewire
  • USB
  • Networking (ethernet)
  • To be honest I had never heard of TendonUSA prior to them contacting me regarding trying out their products. They forwarded me their 6.6 foot and 13.1 foot HDMI cables as well as the same lenghts in their component video cables.

    I have four HDMI sources in my rack and 1 component. Of the four HDMI sources 3 are 1080p video capable. I have a 400 disc DVD jukebox that I use via component and my high definition DVR can be used with either component or HDMI. I connected the shorter HDMI cables to my HD DVD, DVD, DVR, and blu-ray disc players. I connected the longer component video cable to my DVD jukebox which is not located in my rack but is about 9 feet away.

    I used the cables for two weeks and viewed a multitude of program material. Video quality was excellent and every bit as good as with the HDMI and component cabling I use every day. I would describe build quality of the HDMI cables as sturdy (average) with standard jacketing and gold plated connectors. The component video cables use a solid RCA connector which is quite nice considering the price. The jacketing is in the same class as the HDMI cables.

    I switched out the HDMI cable on the DVR with the 6.6 foot component cable and once again saw no difference in the quality of the standard or high definition video when compared to my every day cabling. My reference HDMI cables are the same length as the TendonUSA cabling and while not considered higher end they do cost 5 times what the TendonUSA's do.

    It should be noted that when dealing with short runs like this which genrally connected source components to a video processor or receiver the necessity for higher bandwith capability is not as crucial. TendonUSA does not make HDMI or DVI cables in lengths longer than 16.4 feet (5 meters). Lengths longer than that are not guranteed to provide problem free video especially with higher bandwiths.

    Conclusion:

    I found the video cabling from TendonUSA to be quite good as it provided video quality that was every bit as good as I am accustomed to. Its build quality is more than adequate and for the price I can't think of a better bargain available on the web.




    The Review at a Glance (max possible = 5 paws):
  • Performance:
  • Build Quality:

  • MSRP HDMI cables: 6.6' $12 & 13.1' $15
  • MSRP Component cables: 6.6' $12 & 13.1' $17
  • Warranty - Lifetime
  • Manufacturer - TendonUSA




  • Click Here to Visit TendonUSA's website










    By Ralph Potts
    Executive Editor


    Reference Review System:

    Sony VPL-VW50 SXRD 1080p High Definition Front Projector
    Carada Precision Brilliant White 96" Screen
    Oppo 970HD universal disc DVD Player (480i HDMI)
    Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
    Samsung BD-P1200 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
    Marantz DV7001 Universal Disc Player
    Anthem AVM-50 THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor
    Outlaw Audio Model 7700 seven channel amplifier
    B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 seven Channel amplifier
    Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
    Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
    SV Sounds 20-39 PC Plus (12.3 Driver)
    APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
    Wireworld, VizionWare, Audioquest, Best Deal Cables - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
    Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
    Ralph C. Potts
    Armchair Quarterback
    My Home Theater
    My DVD/Blu-ray Collection


     
    Username Comments
    David Vaughn 
    Diamond Level Member
    Posts: 7169
    David Vaughn
    Loc: Northern, CA
    Reg: 07-04-02

    SpoTlight on: TendonUSA Video Cables
    09-03-07 12:33 PM - Post#829179    
        In response to Ralph Potts

    Nicely done Ralph...they are stylish looking as well (the HDMI cables at least)!
    David Vaughn
    Technical Writer
    Home Theater Magazine
    Blu-ray Reviewer
    UltimateAV Magazine


    Edited by David Vaughn on 09-03-07 12:33 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

     
    Ralph Potts 
    Diamond Level Member
    Posts: 6350
    Ralph Potts
    Loc: Middletown NY
    Reg: 08-24-01

    Re: SpoTlight on: TendonUSA Video Cables
    09-03-07 03:14 PM - Post#829195    
        In response to David Vaughn

    Greetings,

    Thanks Dave. They are not cheap looking cables and they have a nice aesthetic although I am not sure that I would describe them as stylish.
    Ralph C. Potts
    Armchair Quarterback
    My Home Theater
    My DVD/Blu-ray Collection


     
    David Vaughn 
    Diamond Level Member
    Posts: 7169
    David Vaughn
    Loc: Northern, CA
    Reg: 07-04-02

    09-03-07 05:14 PM - Post#829206    
        In response to Ralph Potts

    I meant the HDMI cable...it doesn't look like a "cheap" cable with the way there is a "grip" on the housing.
    David Vaughn
    Technical Writer
    Home Theater Magazine
    Blu-ray Reviewer
    UltimateAV Magazine


     
    Ralph Potts 
    Diamond Level Member
    Posts: 6350
    Ralph Potts
    Loc: Middletown NY
    Reg: 08-24-01

    09-04-07 02:22 AM - Post#829223    
        In response to David Vaughn

    Greetings,

    I knew what you meant. I thought that the build quality was very good for a "budget" cable which is why I rated it 3.5 for BQ.

    Perhaps we view the term stylish differently....
    Ralph C. Potts
    Armchair Quarterback
    My Home Theater
    My DVD/Blu-ray Collection


     
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