[quote name='Strell']I'm trying to find out what is the difference from getting, for example, an HDMI generic brand cable from monoprice.com versus going to Best Buy and having them
me over with an expensive cable?[/quote]
i own 3 HDMI cables: one is a $129.99 cable, originally bought from Best Buy, but bought used, by me, for $5. another came with my upconverting DVD player, and the 3rd came from monoprice (for... i forget, like 6-7 bucks?). they are
identical in image quality, on my 50-inch HDTV. zero difference.
however, to answer your question more specifically, in regards to video cables (for consoles), i sometimes find considerable difference in image quality when comparing 1st party to 3rd party stuff. Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft all adhere to a pretty rigid standard of quality in their video cables: neat and clean connections, smooth and accurately-molded plastic and finish, and quality components and internals (soldering, wire gauge, etc.).
while that is
sometimes true for accessories from Mad Catz, Pelican, Intec, etc, the quality and craftsmanship isn't nearly as uniform. you'll find thinner wires, weaker solder joints, sloppy casing and awkward design (though that's not necessarily a "deal breaker"). by creating so many different solutions for so many different consoles, they spread their engineering/design budget a little thin (read: maximise profit), and the end-products often reflect this. even so, i still buy generic stuff, since sometimes, their cutting corners doesn't really make much difference in the end. if it sucks, it goes right back.