I've been seeing HDMI cables advertised as "NEWEST MODEL/VERSION" and "SUPPORTS 3D AND AUDIO RETURN" (don't know why they have to use all caps). What's this all about? Isn't a cable a cable? I mean, I know there's a difference when it comes to "full metal jacket" and "cheap foil" RF/EM shielding, but it's not like there's built-in software or anything that would prevent a cable I bought two years ago from supporting new technical features. All they have to do is carry a signal, right?

That's exactly what it is and I can honestly say, if you don't already know what 1.4 is for, you already don't care, so don't bother.

Shielding is exactly what is important, predcon, you have it right. The longer the run, the more you need (i.e. spring for a cheap but reliable brand, but in reality if you're running over 20 feet you need a UPnP or DLNA solution instead). 6 foot HDMI cables for over 20 bucks are a ripoff, short runs can be had for 6 bucks or less if you look.

The other parts are bullshit though, any HDMI cable supports 3D if the devices on either end does, same goes for audio return. Emphasizing that the cable supports it borders on fraudulent advertising.

People who actually have a say have been complaining about this since this started last year (when I became aware of it, at least), these predatory companies just don't care and there's nothing with any teeth that's stopping them.

I bought MediaBridge brand cables from Amazon, since they're the "full metal jacket" type, and all marked down to ten bucks a pop from the list price of $60 for 6' (I have three, one for my satellite box, one for my PS3, and one for my PC) , which is the way it should be. If I ever get around to upgrading to a real sound system for my television, do I need to worry about TOSLINK hookups? Or do the HDMI cables cover that?

Relevant XKCD.

I almost fell for Monster cables once. Fortunately, I had a friend with me to smack some sense into me, also I couldn't afford them anyways.

Also, XKCD needs to leave some win for the rest of us.

If you have something like a modern Onkyo receiver or the like you don't need sound return, you're fine.

Actually, I've just been looking into this. As far as I can tell, it's to do with what they're guaranteed to do. 3D requires more bandwidth than 2D (twice as much I suppose). The only thing that makes the new cables "support 3D" is the fact that they've been tested. Any decent cable should be able to work even if it's an old one. 3D does place higher demands on the cable though and it's totally possible that a shitty one wouldn't work.

I noticed that after I posted. You don't really need special cables, but they do need to be high speed HDMI cables. Presumably the same ones that are used for other devices with high refresh rates.

You were right though, it's bullshit for them to imply that other cables won't support 3D.