Here's the deal: expensive HDMI cables offer no difference in picture quality over cheap HDMI cables. CNET has mentioned this before, but here's the science of why. The first thing to understand is what's transmitted over the cable in the first place. HDMI uses Transition Minimized Differential Signaling, or TMDS.

Do better quality HDMI cables make a difference?

An expensive HDMI doesn't produce richer colors or crisper sound than cheaper versions. However, an HDMI cable made with better materials can be more durable, and support higher bandwidth at longer distances, but it won't offer any difference with the picture quality.

Are better HDMI cables worth it?

Doing a bit more testing, we found that the only reason you may want to pay more for an HDMI cable is for better build quality. This isn't because out-of-box you'll see any difference, but because a more expensive cable will likely be more rugged and have a better-made connector.