Customer Reviews

Monster ULT V1000 CV-4 Ultra 1000 Component Video Cables (4 feet)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After spending thousands of dollars on a top-of-the-line plasma set why skimp on the video connects? This was the premise on which I purchased the Monster THX certified Ultra 1000 component cables. And with the $140+ price tag I expected nothing but pure video ecstacy.

The results were painfully disappointing. My plasma is mounted on the wall and therefore all video cables were to be installed "in-wall" permanently, which gave even more reason to go with the highest quality and most reliable cables. Luckily for me I decided to use two different Monster component cables (1 THX certified and 1 Monstervideo2). After testing out the components using a high quality DVD source and alternatively a HDTV signal, Ive found that the THX Monster Cables over saturated my DVD picture which resulted in unnatural color rendition. Luckily, I had the MonsterVideo2's as back-up which produced a more realistic and accurate color rendition.

The bottom-line, although the Monster THX cables weren't favored for DVD connection they did produce a nice clean picture for my HDTV source. But for $140+ I expect a product that would be a little more flexible in its options especially since THX is synonymous with ultra high quality cinema production. My advice, stick with MonsterVideo2's or 3's for DVD connection, they are just as good and you arent paying for that THX branding.

I have been involved in electronics for more than 25 years and have been building (and rebuilding) my home theater for most of my adult life.
It has been disconcerting at best to watch the price of interconnect cables and speaker cable go continously higher to the point of absolute farce.
With that said, different cables provide different results and some cables can actually degrade your signal.
My first component cable was made of a hodge podge of various cables ranging from some stuff I had laying around to some fairly esoteric pieces. Over several testing sessions and several A/B comparisons, an old, thick, shielded Radio Shack A/V cable yeilded the best results on my 65" Mitsubishi TV. The white/Red/yellow connectors didn't match up with the RGB inputs but it handled the 75-OHM current demand just fine. Over the years I have tried and upgraded many cables in my ever growing home theater system but I have had trouble finding anything that equaled the performance of my trusty old RS cable. The run, due to the size of the TV, is always at least 6' and the price of component cables at that length is rather high. Even RS has caught on and you can't get that old cable I have for less than $50 these days. I also don't think it's quite the caliber either. I was able to obtain an Audioquest cable that was designed and looked very nice for the job but it actually degraded the picture and I ended up giving it to a friend.
Obviously, if your screen is smaller than mine, you'll be able to get away with cables of lesser quality and your picture will probably be fine. When you start blowing the picture up beyond a certain point, it will reveal more and more faults that are hidden by a smaller screen.
I have the 8' version of the Monster THX 1000 cable and it does it's job. It is the equal of anything I have tried and it looks excellent and is well made. Amazon is charging an extremely competitive price and yes, it still is too much for a cable, but given the reality of the situation, this is about as good as it gets.

UPDATE; 3-18-09
With the advent of HDMI, component video and subsequently component video cables are being slowly set aside. There are still plenty of people with lots of equipment using component connections though, and probably will be for some time to come. At the current prices, this is a no brainer. Grab one (or several) while you still can.

I recently purchased a Widescreen projection TV and wanted the best cables for viewing movies from my progressive DVD player. In one word these cables are "Outstanding". I will never go back to S-video. I have always been a fan of Monster Cable products and the THX Ultra series does not dissapoint. Picture playback was crisp and sharp compared to my S-video set-up. Two thumbs up.

I recently put a home theater into my home and was very disapointed by the picture quality from both my DVD and HD cable box. I replaced the standard component video cables I had with the Monster Cable Ultra THX 1000 Component video cables. I was amazed at the improved clarity and depth of color in my picture now. Untill this moment I never realized how important good cables are in a home theater system. I would recomend these cables without reservation to anyone who wants to get the most out of their home theater system.

These cables preformed as well as a set of [$] cables on my new 30" Wide Screen HDTV, even at 1080i. I am not sure what the increase in price was for, maybe the gold plated connectors or thicker insulation.

I can't really recommend these over a cheaper set unless you have a problem with corrosion in your home (the only reason to have gold plating is to reduce corrosion, it does not provide enough difference in conductivity to matter) or you are going to be running your cables next to a source of a lot of interference, like a computer with a glass window on the side.

Save your money for something else that matters, or do like I did, take it back get a refund, and a new DVD player for the same price!

I USED TO HAVE MONSTER CABLE S-VIDEO.
GREAT PICTURE THEN. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DECIDED TO
GO WITH THE COMPONENT VIDEO CABLE.THE RESULTS ARE
STUNNING.WORKS GREAT WITH MY NEW SONY WEGA 40' WIDE SCREEN.
THE CABLE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Speaking from real experience, don't waste your money buying this cable which makes absolutely no difference from a cabe you can find with half or less the price. I bought a few top of the line monster cables once I got the top of the line SONY XBR960 HDTV. Later on I switched cables around, with other brand, cheaper component cables such as Philips PTS1000 (the HDMI standard owner by the way), and also other HDMI cables (even no name brands coming with my DVD player). You know what? I see absolutely no difference even under close examination. The SONY XBR960 produces the finest pitch you can find on any TV. You think about what that means. Stop buying this ridiculously priced cables, and save your $$ and buy somethinfg else on your shopping list. Digital is digital. Don't let monster mislead you that their cables produce more 11010 ... than others.

I have had these for a good long while. I think I bought them from Tuesday Morning for $5 each I think and I have 3 I guess. they are nice, very tight connection insures they won't come loose without me doing so while moving things around. they are stiff which can only mean one thing, good insulating. I don't want to offend anybody by saying these cables are "the best out there" because I know it will and they aren't:) they are good cables though. they've always worked ever since I got them, no matter how many times I have unhooked and dissected my entire home theater. they look nice too. they make very vibrant colors through TV and movies, only a few times have I been able to use Progressive scan but they do great in that area too, probably better to use that with a smaller than 60" rear projection Sony though.

I must say this, once I get a new DVD player, hopefully Marantz or Denon, I will be using a different brand of component cables because i know there are better cable brands out there more worth the price than a Monster. But i can't complain, these cables work nicely. Only real complaint I have is that on the back of my receiver there are 3 sets of component terminals; one out and two in. they are pretty difficult to take out, i actually have a cheaper or older line from Monster hooking my DVR to my receiver for switching that are much more loose than these. i will probably end up using the Longer Red colored monster component cable straight to my TV from DVD then use an S-Video for the DVR. colors really don't matter too much to me when it comes to TV but it does movies.

This is a first for me. I have bought many many things from online stores and even more through Amazon and I have to say; These cables are by FAR more durable than I expected. I figured these cables were gonna be like most high end cables, but I was WRONG!! These cables are BETTER, that's right B-E-T-T-E-R than I have ever SEEN!! I can't explain how crazy they are. They are STRONG, TOUGH, and just straight up AMAZING. When I plugged they into the back of my tv and my convertor box, they were NOT going anywhere. I moved my tv to rearang my room and I had a little bit of a hard time getting them to unplug. STRAIGHT UP BEST HD CABLES EVER!!!

I agree that these cables are way too expensive!! However that being said, they really do perform well. I have been using them for almost a year and they are just solid. Colors always look their best. I know it was a silly purchase but my DVD's look great.