From ckd, a link to an Ars Technica summary that points (as well to other discussion and original content) to a forum post by an electrical engineer about cheap vs. expensive HDMI cables, as well as a discussion about HDMI 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3 compliant cables.
The summary:
- As HDMI is a digital data transfer medium, there is no difference between a $15 cable. There may be an argument for higher cable quality with analog signals, but for digital signals, as long as the signal is carried, there is no difference expressed due to quality of cabling.
- HDMI 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3 are about capabilities for devices at either end of the cable. An HDMI cable is an HDMI cable is an HDMI cable. Companies advertise cables as HDMI 1.3 compliant in order to part you with more of your $$.