Accell UltraAV HDMI Connection Solutions - Product Review

If you have components with HDMI connections, you have found that cables and additional accessories are very expensive. Accell UltraAV brand HDMI cables, Adapters, Signal Repeaters, and Switch are excellent performers at prices lower than several other brands. UltraAV HDMI connection solutions are definitely worth considering with their easy grip design, good construction, and signal strength that is required in home theater applications.

The features of the Accell's UltraAV HDMI connection solutions include:

1. Gold plated connectors for best contact and signal transfer.

2. Easy grip connector design to make connect and un-connect activity easy.

3. All copper wire construction.

4. Extensive shielding for prevention of outside interference.

5. Sturdy, but flexible, cable jackets.

6. Well-designed and informative packaging.

7. HDMI repeater includes a built-in signal amplifier and optional external power supply. This is for connecting two HDMI cables to together to achieve a longer length and maintain signal strength.

8. The 2-input/1-output HDMI switch allows two HDMI sources to be connected to a television with a single HDMI input. The switch does not need external power.

9. The HDMI Switch also comes with a wireless remote and IR Extender that makes its use very convenient.

10. The Accell UltraAV HDMI line is more affordable than similar high-end cable products from some other manufacturers.

Testing Set-Up - Hardware

Additional HDMI/DVI equipped components used in this review of the Accell UltraAV HDMI connection solutions included:

A Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, and Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV .

Both comparison LCD TVs are HD-compatible with native 720p capability. The Samsung has an HDMI input; the Syntax has a DVI-HDCP input. The Syntax was connected with via the HDMI-to-DVI connection adapter.

DVD players (with 720p/1080i upscaling capability) and HDMI or DVI output included , Samsung DVD-HD931 (DVI-HDCP output) and NeuNeo HVD-2085 (HD-component and HDMI output), as well as a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player (HDMI output) with 720p and 1080i output capability.

Testing and Evaluation

I recently tested several HDMI connection solutions from Accell Corporation. Among the products tested: HDMI cables (5 meters), HDMI cable/Repeater combo (45 meters), DVI/HDMI Adapter, HDMI/DVI Adapter, HDMI Signal Repeater, and 2 input/1 output compact HDMI switch. All of the cables, adapters, repeaters, and switch were well constructed. All the cables fit well and were very flexible. In comparison with both budget and high-end cables, the Accell UltraAVs proved their worth in both signal strength, extreme flexibility, and fit.

I found that in all cases, the cables, adapters, repeater, and switch, provided a good fit and performed as advertised. With regards to the HDMI cables, I also found the cable ends have a good easy-to-grip design.

I was impressed with the flexibility of the cables. Some higher-end cables have a stiffer cable construction. However, this is not the case with the Accell cables.

In using the 5 meter HDMI cables in combination with the signal repeaters, I noticed no visible change in the output signal quality between the DVD player or HD-DVD player used and the televisions used. To my surprise, it was not necessary to use the addition of an external power supply in order to improve the performance of the repeater in combination with two 5-meter cables.

I found that the HDMI Switch was effective and very easy to use. It was both compact and included a wireless remote that made switching between two sources and the TV efficient. I used two six foot HDMI cables from the NeuNeo DVD player and the Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD Player and another six foot HDMI cable from the switch to the Samsung 23-Inch LCD TV, and then, using the HDMI-to-DVI adapter, to the Syntax 32-inch LCD TV.

Most surprising was the performance of the 45 meter-length (147 feet) HDMI cable/Repeater Combo. Despite the cable's long length, with the built-in signal repeater, the HDMI cable provided a great signal, both with and without using the optional power supply function.

Using the 45 meter HDMI cable/repeater combo with the Samsung 23-inch HDMI equipped LCD set, as well as the HDMI-equipped NeuNeo 2085 DVD player and Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player, and using the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD as a reference, I viewed the same video quality results as I did with shorter length cables.

Final Take

Let's face it, when shopping for HDMI cables, you might find that some brands will cost as much as an HMDI-equipped DVD player. Although you won't find Accell UltraAV HDMI cables at bargain-basement prices, they do provide a better price/performance ratio than some other brands.

In addition, with most HDMI-equipped televisions only offering one HDMI input, as more HDMI-equipped source components, such as DVD players, become available, many consumers need an HDMI switch. Many HDMI switches sell for 200 dollars or more, while the Accell HDMI switch is an affordable $99 and does the job effectively and easily.

In conclusion, for home theater setups, especially ones that require longer cable lengths or switching options, I found that Accell's UltraAV HDMI connection solutions provide excellent performance at a reasonable price. I give the Accell UltraAV HDMI product line a full 5-Star rating.