Monster MV2F-1M Video Cable with Coax Connectors: Godzuki Rules.
Written: Jul 08 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: High quality cable with solidly attached 24k gold connectors which will last a lifetime.
Cons: Expensive, but probably worth it.
The Bottom Line: High quality cable with solidly attached 24k gold connectors which will probably last a lifetime. Newer, more sensitive electronic equipment needs top quality cables to work properly.
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| WulfsDen's Full Review: Monster Cable Products MV2F-1M Monster Video 2 Hig... |
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I got my Monster MV2F-1M Coax Video Cable by accident, as part of a promotion on another product. At that time, I was having all kinds of problems with cables on my HDTV causing poor picture quality: interference, herringbones and so on... Since I went into these problems in Godzilla vs. Radio Shack, my review of the MV2F-2M (the longer version of this cable), I won't go into detail here. Let me just say that all gold cables are not created equal.
Generally speaking, the better quality (higher priced) the cable, the better the picture will be, but if you are watching on a 20 year old, 15" B&W TV, gold cables are probably overkill. However, modern TVs need a high quality signal to work properly. My personal experiences show that High Definition TVs are particularly picky. The older gray connectors are prone to corrosion. Over time it degrades signal strength and quality. Gold plated connectors are very resistant to corrosion because gold is so inert. This means that gold gives a high quality connection, and it lasts much longer.
The Monster cable is firmly attached to the connector (unlike some other cables I could mention) and feels chunky and robust. The corporate technobabble uses many long words when it describes the cable, its shielding, and its high-quality copper innards. This might help engineering graduates but unfortunately, it is not much use to the rest of us. However, if I was hanging over a cliff supported only by a coax cable, this is the one I would use. (An unlikely scenario, but it's an impressive testament to my feelings about the quality of this cable.)
The Monster MV2F-1M Coax Video Cable is extremely high quality, with a robust cable attached to solid, reliable connectors. It is functionally identical to the Monster MV2F-2M Coax Video Cable but half its length. I have both of these cables on my system. The longer one connects the wall socket to my lightning protector, while the shorter one connects the protector to the TV. As such, all video signals into my equipment pass through both cables. They give very high picture quality, and have resolved all the problems I was having with my HDTV picture. They are a little expensive, usually around $20 each, but they are worth the money.
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Having said that let me share a few thoughts on cables.
Put a lightning protector on your cable. The connection coming into the house should go straight to a grounded lightning protector which will usually be built into a power strip/surge protector. Without this, a lightning strike on your satellite dish or on the cable line may fry your TV, and every device connected to it: VCR, DVD, DVR, Receiver etc… In extreme cases it may even cause personal injury. Lightning hitting a cable line many miles from your house can cause problems too, even if you equipment is not switched on.
Cables that carry video signals are the most sensitive. The signal is weak and the amount of information carried is very high. Video signals are the first place you should invest money for higher quality. Audio signals are stronger and have less information. Good quality cables are still nice, but if you are short of cash, you can live without them. Speaker cables -- yes, you can find expensive speaker cables around -- carry half the information of a standard audio signal, and the signal strength is huge. If you have the cash go with it, but for most folks, old lamp cord is fine. (Just as long as you can tell which wire is which. The red wire must go to the same connection on each speaker, or the speaker is out of phase, and the sound will degrade horrendously.)
You usually want to buy the shortest cable that will do the job. No cable is 100 percent efficient. There is always some signal loss due to distance. Also longer cables provide more opportunity for interference. However, you do not want to have the cable overstretched. Stress on tight cables may cause cables to pull away from their connectors, or may break the cable itself. Over-tight cables are asking for a component to be damaged should the TV be moved suddenly. The correct length is the shortest length that will connect the components while leaving a little slack. With a set up where the VCR, DVD etc. are next to the TV, a 1 meter (3.28 ft.) cable like this one will usually do the job.
If you have a choice between connectors, use any type other than coax. The coax cable was the standard invented back when 12" B&W TVs were high tech. If that is what comes through the wall from your cable provider or satellite hookup, then you have little choice. However, when connecting DVDs, VCRs and the like, try to use something else. Any type of optical connection is super (completely eliminating magnetic and electrical interference), S-video connects are great, while composite video is fine -- I would use them in that order.
A comment by alexanderaku on Godzilla vs. Radio Shack goes into detail about corrosion, and comes up with an interesting way to use a modulator to improve your coax connections. You might find it useful.
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For those wondering about the title, Godzuki is a smaller version of Godzilla. For more comments see Godzilla: Size does matter.
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Technical Stuff.
(Note: First published in my review of the MV2F-1=2M.)
Modern electrical equipment needs a high quality signal to work properly. Video signals travel at higher frequencies than audio, so they are more prone to cable-induced signal loss. Cheap cables contribute to a wide variety of picture problems including poor color saturation, ghosting, video snow, spots and other outside interference. Monster cables combine advanced technologies to produce premium video picture quality. They feature high-purity oxygen-free copper, for improved low frequency response and maximum signal strength. This ensures naturally vivid color, overall clarity and definition. Their corporate technobabble claims:
- High-Resolution, Low-Loss RF Cable for Improved CATV/Antenna Hookup.
- Our unique nitrogen (N2) gas-injected foam dielectric offers lower attenuation and a higher velocity of propagation for maximum video signal strength, even over long runs.
- For reliable rejection of RF and EM interference, we provide a 100% foil and 95% copper braid metal-to-metal double shield that maintains integrity even after bending and flexing.
- Precision-machined F-Pin connectors have 24k gold plating for high conductivity and maximum corrosion resistance.
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Recommended:
Yes
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