What are the benefits to gold plated hdmi cables?

It makes no difference in the short run. It may reduce corrosion of the contacts over time and help to ensure long term performance. That said, gold plating is available on even the least expensive HDMI cables (<$2) ... see link. Much more important is to look for certification of cables to be sure they meet your needs re data throughput. You can't go far wrong with cables certified as "Category 2" against HDMI 1.3 or "High Speed" against HDMI 1.4 (See 2nd link)

Check out this article from Popular Mechanics. Basically spending a fortune on expensive HDMI cables is just a waste of money! http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/tests/4235717

You will get slightly better conductivity, and supposedly less corrosion, with Gold plating the problems are that if you disconnect and connect a lot you will wear the gold plating off especially on less expensive cables, some of the more expensive ones use double plating which should last a little longer, but can still wear off with continued use as far as corrosion is concerned both the connector on the wire and the connector on the device would have to be gold plated to deter corrosion, if one or the other is not gold plated then you still run the risk of getting corrosion. the very act of connecting and disconnecting will deter corrosion, and the cables can be cleaned if corrosion becomes a problem...Corrosion takes many years to happen, and should not make gold plating your main concern when choosing cables, the quality of the cable and connector end particularly is more important the connector tends to wear out when connecting and disconnecting a lot on cheaper cables...I would recommend Belden cables from Bluejean cables dot com or Dayton cables from Parts express as better quality cables for reasonable prices...

There is a difference in quality of "All" cables including digital cables, but there are a few things to understand before running out and spending allot on cables. First you must have a better then average system in order to see or hear the differences in cables. Second the system must be properly setup and calibrated. Third just being more expensive does not guarantee you better performance. And no Gold connectors should not be a determination of the quality of the cable, in fact many lower end cable manufactures use this as a marketing technique because people think if it has Gold it must be better. Many of the truly higher end cable manufactures actually do not use Gold, as Gold is not the best conductor of electrical signals, but is the one of a few metals that does not corrode as quickly. Silver, Copper, then Gold. Silver and Copper both corrode very quickly so that is one reason gold is used. But there are other metals or combination of metals that offer much higher performance both in conductivity, that many high end cable manufactures use, so don't let Gold be the reason you think a cable is better. For those seeking out better cables, you should go to your local independent hi-end audio video stores as they carry the better brands of cables and equipment. Many of these hi end stores will even allow you to try cables at home before final purchase. Most of the chain stores may carry more expensive cables, but honestly most of these cables do not offer better performance. Honestly for most people who have average systems, no you will not see or hear much if any improvement in cables. The better option that everyone should invest in is ether to have there TV's professionally ISF calibrated or for those with patience and good vision, can buy the Video Essentials blu ray DVD and learn to calibrate your displays yourself. This will make a huge improvement and well worth the investment, even more so than buying more expensive cables. For those wanting to get the very best picture and sound yes you should get both better cables and calibrate your systems properly. Kevin 40 years hi-end audio video specialist

gold plated HDMI ( high defination multi-media interface) mail help to reduce the gain loss of sound and picture. practically u get higher resolution picture effect and 3d sound effect as per original made in CD or any device.

way better conduction, and gold will never tarnish and effect the signal