Whilst with Alps UK I had regular contact with Johnson Matthey and this is what they have to say on HDMI cable with Gold Plated contacts:
If you use your cables for commercial purposes, and you connect and disconnect them on a daily or regular basis,HDMI cables with Gold Plated Connections might be the ideal choice. They are also gold-coated to protect them from different elements like Oxidization. Although gold-plated cables are advantageous and even required like professional grade electronics, regular HDMI cables can provide decent picture quality. However, gold-plated is always better. Gold-plated cables provide the same image quality as the source – high quality. Also, there is a theoretical improvement in clarity of the signals being transmitted as gold-plated cables are better conductors of electricity compared to regular HDMI cables. Whatever cable you choose, you may not notice the difference through your eyes or ears, as the main differences between gold-plated HDMI cables and regular HDMI cables are mostly technical. However, all in all, when it comes to durability and conductivity, gold-plated cables win.
I feel it is not quite correct to assume GP HDMI cables are twice the price of standard HDMI cable, even a cursory glance on Amazon UK and RS Components Web Sites disprove that. You can buy a GF HDMI on Amazon for less than £7.00. Furthermore, the amount of 'Gold plated on' is minuscule. To a certain extent, it boils down to a choice, for me GP HDMI over tin/zinc plated HDMI contacts is no brainer. The difference in price is not an issue even for me! I apologize for disagreeing with you but of course, you are entitled to yr POV.
Think we might need protection from this on Monday!
