Monster Moves to the Next HDMI Level

Monster Cable has partnered with Irish silicon chip developer RedMere and will release sometime in September its first models in a new line of self-powered, ultra-thin HDMI cables.

The high-performance Micro HDMI line is currently in development, said Head Monster Noel Lee, and, at about a fifth the diameter of standard HDMI cable, will be ideally suited for super-flat TVs, because of its svelte profile and right-angle connectors that simplify corner turns. “These are ‘smart’ cables – they automatically calibrate to the application – and will also be able to be run to longer lengths while maintaining extremely high performance,” said Lee. He added that they will work for a broad range of applications beyond flat-panel TV, like portable video and audio, home theater components, camcorders and computers.

The cables feature RedMere’s MagnifEye Active chip technology that triggers a light which flashes at the connection point once a connection is achieved, much like a USB jump drive. Lee said the pricing on the models will be along the lines of the company’s current premium-priced high-performance cable. He added that Monster is planning several permutations of the cable, including an in-wall version for custom installation applications.