Here's an interesting article about how some audio snobs were testing out different high end cables to hear which ones sounded best (seriously). Turns out that coat hangers worked as well as the best cables:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/audiophiles-cant-tell-the-difference-between-monster-cable-and/
A cable is a cable is a cable...to a point. Now, anything that gets a quality signal across it is good enough...especially with digital media. If it's good enough to get the signal there, there is no difference. Now, having said that, there is a difference. Look at the connectors. Are they sturdy enough for the abuse they'll get? Consider, if it's behind your TV for years, probably doesn't need to be too sturdy...if it's going to be plugged in and out a billion times, invest in something that has a quality connector and protective boot at the connector.
There are a couple of other differences: shielding from magnetic and radio field interference is nice, but not always necessary. Braided cable can take repeated bending more than plain, straight wire cable. Also, on long runs, thicker cable (the metal inside, not the thicker insulation) can prevent a signal from dropping.
Ultimately, it depends on the purpose, but when that idiot at Best Buy tries to tell you that a $100 Monster Cable will give you a better picture instead of the cheapy HDMI cable, he's flat out wrong or lying.
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