Monster Cables Beat AppleTV To Market
By John Laposky -- TWICE, 3/26/2007
BRISBANE, CALIF. — Monster began shipping a line of high-performance cables designed specifically for Apple TV a full week before the device, which streams movies and other media to a TV from a Mac or PC, hit the market.
The iTV cable line connects the Apple TV to TVs and A/V receivers via component video, fiber optic, HDMI and analog audio.
The Apple TV, which was originally slated for a February release began shipping on Wednesday, March 21.
The iTV component video cable delivers HD video from the Apple TV to up to 720p/1,080i resolution. Three cables send color signals separately for precise picture reproduction and full-coverage shielding rejects RF and electromagnetic interference for a clearer picture, the company said. The cable has low-loss gas-injected dielectric insulation for maximum video signal strength and 24-karat gold contacts for optimum signal transfer and corrosion resistance. It has a protective jacket, a multi-stranded copper center conductor, and proprietary "Split-Tip" center pin for greater contact pressure and lower signal distortion, according to a release.
The 6.5-foot cable retails for $39.95.
Monster's iTV fiber-optic cable connects Apple TV to TVs and A/V receivers and delivers digital movie audio in Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound. It has a precision-polished fiber optic connector for maximum signal transfer accuracy and lower internal reflection and extra low-loss optical fiber optimized for low signal distortion and the highest audio fidelity, according to the company's release. An "InsuLight" inner jacket is said to reduce internal reflections for precise digital bit-stream transfer. Strain relief collars prevent fiber optic damage when the cable is bent to extremes. It retails for $29.95.
The iTV HDMI cable exceeds HDMI 1.3 specifications and supports up to 720p/1,080i video and up to 7.1-channel audio. It has a gas-injected dielectric for optimum signal strength and ultra-low loss and double foil shield and high-density copper braid for maximum rejection of RF and electromagnetic interference, according to Monster. It has 24-karat gold contact connectors and nitrogen gas-injected low-loss dielectric insulation. A Duraflex protective jacket resists abrasions and temperature extremes while remaining flexible. It retails for $59.95.
Finally, Monster's iTV analog audio cable has dual "balanced" conductors for left and right channels and low-loss nitrogen gas-injected dielectric insulation for maximum audio signal strength. Proprietary "SingleHelix" dual conductors are twisted in a helical configuration to reject interference. The 6.5-foot cable retails for $24.95.
"This attractive suite of cables ensure optimal enjoyment of movies, TV programs, music, podcasts, movie trailers and more out of Apple TV," said head Monster Noel Lee. "Monster's commitment to creating innovative, high-performance solutions will allow outstanding audio and video reproduction for Apple TV customers."
The Apple TV lets users browse through a collection of digital media from across the room using an Apple remote. It has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video and can deliver high-definition 720p output. Apple said the unit can stream content from up to five computers. The Apple TV retails for $299.
