View this email in your browser

Issue 53: November 25, 2019

Are you feeling connected this week? Perhaps an HDMI cable will help. Just don't spend too much on one, especially not the $1,800 cable currently available at Best Buy! Read on to learn more about why you don't need a pricey HDMI cable.Read on to find out more in this week's Stream Report.

.Interested in sharing Stream Report with a friend? Send them here!

Cord-Cutting Tip of the Week:

You Don't Need Expensive HDMI cables

TV-connected devices like the Roku and Amazon Fire TV are often part of everyone's cord-cutting toolkit, but surprisingly, many of these devices don't come with the very-necessary HDMI cable. You may be tempted to purchase the most expensive HDMI cable on Amazon, but not so fast! There's little reason to do so.

1. What is an HDMI cable?

HDMI cables help transfer digital video and audio signals from one device to another. These cables replaced the VGA cables of yesteryear and allow for better quality video transfer. Most devices now offer HDMI and even mini-HDMI cable connections for audio and video transfer.

2. Do I need to buy an expensive HDMI cable?

The simple answer to this is no. You'll find a plethora of HDMI cables across a wide variety of price ranges. Some of those prices are, quite frankly, insane. Right now, as you're reading this, Best Buy is selling a silver-plated HDMI cable

for nearly $1,800

! And trust me, if you try to shop for HDMI cables at Best Buy, or look at buying guides on blogs, they're almost certainly going to try to tell you that buying the more expensive options makes a difference.

More unbiased sources say otherwise. Experts agree that the

video and audio quality

from a $5 HDMI cable is going to be functionally the same as one selling for a few hundred (or few thousand) dollars.

The key here is that HDMI is a proprietary brand. And all HDMI cable makers have to meet certain set criteria to be able to create and sell HDMI cables. So those basic specifications will all be met, and your digital transfer will be of the same visual and audio quality. The key differences between cheap and expensive cables are typically in durability, or added features.

3. Where do I buy HDMI cables?

Amazon is a good place to buy pretty much anything, including HDMI cables. But if you're in absolute need, feel free to pick one up from places like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. Netflix's Highly Anticipated Movie "The Irishman" available this WEDNESDAY

Load up Netflix to see this star-studded gangster drama from famed director Martin Scorcese

.

-

Netflix

2. Apple TV+ May Have a Winner With "Servant", Available this THURSDAY

Things get dark in Apple's newest, well-rated release for the Apple TV+ streaming service. -

Amazon

News and Industry Developments

1. Everything Coming to Netflix in December

December is just around the corner. Here's everything coming to Netflix next month. -

Forbes

2. Everything Coming to Amazon Prime Video in December

Get your weekend plans ready. Here's everything coming to Amazon Prime Video next month. -

MarketWatch