金メッキコネクタ：マーケティング vs 現実

## What Gold Plating Actually Does

Gold doesn't conduct electricity better than copper — it's actually slightly worse. But gold **doesn't corrode**. That's the only real benefit.

## When Gold Matters

- **High-humidity environments**: Coastal areas, outdoor installations
- **Frequent plug/unplug cycles**: Reduces wear on contact surfaces
- **Professional audio (XLR, TRS)**: Where corrosion could add noise

## When Gold Doesn't Matter

- **HDMI cables**: Digital signal. Corrosion would have to be extreme to cause issues
- **USB cables**: Same — digital is all-or-nothing
- **Short-term use**: Takes years for oxidation to affect non-gold connectors
- **Nickel-plated alternatives**: Nearly as corrosion-resistant at lower cost

## The Marketing Truth

Gold plating on a $15 HDMI cable adds maybe $0.10 in materials. It's a visual signal of quality — not a performance improvement. Save your money for proper cable certification instead.