NEW television buyers are being cheated into paying up to $600 for cables that are no better than $40 versions, claims consumer watchdog Choice.
Tests of high-tech cables sold as accessories to plasma and LCD digital
TVs with the promise of superior picture and sound quality found no technical performance difference.
Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn said that despite the rip-off, stores continued to urge buyers to invest in expensive cables.
The cables connect games consoles and Blu-ray players to the latest TVs.
Choice also warns computer users are being slugged for printer inks costing as much as $20 a teaspoon.
Mr Zinn said some manufacturers had users over a barrel because cartridges with special chips could not be replaced with cheaper generic alternatives.