AnnihilatorX:
No they don't. The bit stream input will be absolutely the same with bit stream output regardless of what inferior cable you use as long as it complies to the cable specification for that particular format and therefore has basic environmental conformance. This is the same as gold plated USB cables. HDMI and USB are both digital formats which means unlike analogue cables, gold plating them offers no advantage.
Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals will cause, in time, a poor connection on any type of connecting lead digital or not. Gold plating on a high-quality lead will prevent this as Gold does not react with anything and prevents the connectors reacting and building this corrosion. The plating needs to be 'thick' enough so as not to wear through. Cheap gold plated cables such as this have the thinnest of thin plating (hence their price) and will almost probably wear through after 1-2 'plug-ins' and IMO are no better than a regular steel shelled plug. Think of good gold plating as a condom for your leads! LOL
Just to add to your comments above, on an analogue TV / Radio, when experiencing a poor signal you will see / hear a snowy picture and crackling (white noise). If you have ever watched Sky / Freeview or indeed listened to a DAB radio when a poor signal you will have seen pixelization and in the case of the DAB radio, heard plips and clicks. A digital signal, RF or otherwise can be of poor quality regardless. A good cable will make a difference.
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