hdmi vs. component cable

couchpotato99

I tried switching between hdmi and component cable just to see how the picture quality compares on my high def Sony tv. Frankly, I don't see a dimes worth of difference!

deadhead68

And if the inputs are calibrated correctly, you SHOULDN'T see a difference.

DeadHead68

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Toshiba 52HM95
Moto 3416 HD DVR
Sony STR-DG810 Receiver
Sony DVP-NS77H DVD
Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System
Harmony 670

Rich_Guy

Different systems will vary but generally I prefer component cable with my DVR/cablebox because of faster channel changes and no "digital handshake" issues. Both produce a very good picture quality and really no benefit in PQ to either cable type.

However I prefer HDMI with my Blu-ray player, because of a slight improved picture quality and the ability to use the player to view std DVD's upscaled by the Blu-ray player. All Blu-ray players can only upscale std DVD through their HDMI outputs and they cannot do this through their components outputs (this is done for legal copyright legal issues).

Anyway both HDMI and component are high quality connections and which is better depends on the systems and components being connected, not the picture quality cable characteristics themselves.

Generally component cable will be better to use with a tuner (cablebox, satellite box, DVR, etc.) that is always changing channels because this is where HDMI will slow down channel changes and possible even suffer more severe "digital handshake" problems.

davecramer74

ya you arent going to see a quality difference. Main benefit i see is with HDMI you just have that one cable for sound and video.

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Vizio 42" LCD
Phillips 50" plasma

kegobeer

It's nice only having two HMDI cables in the wall, instead of six RG6 cables for component video and two more for digital sound!

Loves2Watch

And isn't that a bunch of hogwash...Hollywood wants to restrict us at every turn.

JohninTenn

Are you just using the TV sound system?
U have to run a separate cable to my Onkyo amp.

Sykotic

Because I want as little clutter as possible I use HDMI for my STB and HDMI for my DVD player. My tv (Samsung) has optical out. This goes to my surround sound receiver. To be able to not see any excess wires is worth the delay in the digital handshake that HDMI offers. GL

DaveJ

Sykotic
If the fewest number of wires/cables is your goal, why not run HDMI from the STB and DVD player to the AVR and then a single HDMI cable to the Sammy TV? That's only 3 cables total with only one to the TV. You would not need the optical cable at all.

dave

Shark2k

Skyotic, you're also probably not getting true surround sound either. Usually when a TV has a digital audio out it only outputs 5.1 from that when going through the tuner in the TV. If you connect anything it will usually be downconverted to 2.1. You should check your manual for the TV as it would mention this.

-Shark2k

tipstir

One is analog and one is digital for video
HDMI all in one cable (video/audio)
Component video then you need audio makes 5 cables needed
I use both but rather use HDMI. I just like the digital video/audio

joekewl1971

My blu ray player will upconvert anamorphic DVD to component. Copy protection is inconsistent. Some DVD work, and some will not.

Rich_Guy

There is no Blu-ray player which will up convert std DVDs over component cable this is illegal to produce. Blu-ray players will play std DVD just not up convert them. However your TV will up convert or down convert everything it receives to the TVs natural resolution.

Loves2Watch

That is of course unless your standard DVD's have been decrypted.

DaveJ

L2W, Do you mean encrypted???
dave