HDMI or regular Cables

mike25 · 08-21-2009, 09:05 AM

I purchased a new plasma and had it set up in my basement. I had Comcast to come and hook up the cable. When I purchased the tv I also purchased an HDMI cable. When the cable guy was at my house he said that I did not need the HDMI cable and that I should use the standard cables that he provided to hook up the dvr to the tv. So my question is should I keep that cables that he installed or unplug them and use the HDMI cable that I purchased. I would think it would be better to use the HDMI cable just for the fact that there's only on cable. I'm not a tech guy so I really need your help. Thanks in advance

Loves2Watch · 08-21-2009, 09:17 AM

If the installer used component cables for video (red, green, blue) and additional cables for audio and you are getting a HD picture changing to HDMII will not give you a better picture and in fact may lead to other problems like HDMI HDCP handshake issues.

So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

oblioman · 08-22-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike25

I purchased a new plasma and had it set up in my basement. I had Comcast to come and hook up the cable. When I purchased the tv I also purchased an HDMI cable. When the cable guy was at my house he said that I did not need the HDMI cable and that I should use the standard cables that he provided to hook up the dvr to the tv. So my question is should I keep that cables that he installed or unplug them and use the HDMI cable that I purchased. I would think it would be better to use the HDMI cable just for the fact that there's only on cable. I'm not a tech guy so I really need your help. Thanks in advance

Just out of curiosity, would you mind revealing what you paid for the HDMI cable?? For a majority of the HDF members, it chaps our cheeks knowing that many unscrupulous vendors charge ridiculous prices for these cables "you just have to have". BTW, welcome to the HD forum!

mrbeankc · 08-24-2009, 09:41 PM

Time Warner originally told me over the phone when I got my HDTV that they didn't support HDMI and promptly gave me an HDMI cable when I picked up my HD box.

Phil424 · 08-30-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbeankc

Time Warner originally told me over the phone when I got my HDTV that they didn't support HDMI and promptly gave me an HDMI cable when I picked up my HD box.

Here in NYC the cable boxes they give out support HDMI so I don't know what they are talking about. When I went to pick up my box at TWC they gave me a HDMI cable along with a remote and the box.

Loves2Watch · 08-31-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil424

Here in NYC the cable boxes they give out support HDMI so I don't know what they are talking about. When I went to pick up my box at TWC they gave me a HDMI cable along with a remote and the box.

Of course almost all newer digital boxes have a HDMI connection but the providers (Time Warner, Comcast, Cablevision, etc.) don't support HDMI connections due to the difficulties with HDCP and in particular handshake issues.

jerbear · 09-02-2009, 12:49 PM

hello,
brand new. Not sure where to look, and how to ask. I have an older Sony XBR (ky-36XBR400). NO HDMI. I have this twc SA 8300hdr, and an older Sony dvd-again no HDMI. Where do I go to find the optimal hook up of what? Optical to receiver for sound? 480i to sa 8300 HDR from tv, and red, blue, green 1080i from dvd to tv? I want dvd to look, and sound best. We don't watch too much regular TV, but do have TWC HD, and loke nat. Geo, and History on the HD channels. Sorry I know this is super elementary, and I hope we can afford new things with HDMI some day, for Blu-ray.Thanking any one who can help, or direct me. First message too. Jerry

deadhead68 · 09-02-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerbear

hello,
brand new. Not sure where to look, and how to ask. I have an older Sony XBR (ky-36XBR400). NO HDMI. I have this twc SA 8300hdr, and an older Sony dvd-again no HDMI. Where do I go to find the optimal hook up of what? Optical to receiver for sound? 480i to sa 8300 HDR from tv, and red, blue, green 1080i from dvd to tv? I want dvd to look, and sound best. We don't watch too much regular TV, but do have TWC HD, and loke nat. Geo, and History on the HD channels. Sorry I know this is super elementary, and I hope we can afford new things with HDMI some day, for Blu-ray.Thanking any one who can help, or direct me. First message too. Jerry

According to the specs for your TV I found online, it has 2 component inputs. I would connect both the DVR and DVD to the TV via component.

DeadHead68

exdj · 09-02-2009, 12:57 PM

If you have more than one Red/Green/Blue connector on your TV, you should also hook up your SA 8300 that way too. As to sound , the optical from the dvd player to your reciever is the best way to go. If you don't care too much about sound from your Cable, just use Red/White directly into the TV. Thats the short and simple answer.

jerbear · 09-02-2009, 03:45 PM

Thanks folks,

Nothing like music loving folks to help out. I appreciate your aid, there are so many various connections between the TV, receiver, and the cable.And good sound, and fun withDVD's are what we're hoping for.

Thanks,

Jerry, and Mary

Sykotic · 09-02-2009, 10:48 PM

If by chance your tv offers an optical out, AND your reveiver offers an optical in, I would use that for sound. This way you dont have to change inputs on your receiver to go from dvd to cable, etc. Just leave it on the optical output. GL

deadhead68 · 09-03-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sykotic

If by chance your tv offers an optical out, AND your reveiver offers an optical in, I would use that for sound. This way you dont have to change inputs on your receiver to go from dvd to cable, etc. Just leave it on the optical output. GL

With the age of the OP's TV, I believe the only audio that can be sent out the TV's digital output is audio received via the internal tuners. IE ATSC, NTSC, or QAM tuners.

DeadHead68

08-21-2009, 09:05 AM	#1
mike25 What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	HDMI or regular Cables I purchased a new plasma and had it set up in my basement. I had Comcast to come and hook up the cable. When I purchased the tv I also purchased an HDMI cable. When the cable guy was at my house he said that I did not need the HDMI cable and that I should use the standard cables that he provided to hook up the dvr to the tv. So my question is should I keep that cables that he installed or unplug them and use the HDMI cable that I purchased. I would think it would be better to use the HDMI cable just for the fact that there's only on cable. I'm not a tech guy so I really need your help. Thanks in advance

08-21-2009, 09:17 AM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,972	If the installer used component cables for video (red, green, blue) and additional cables for audio and you are getting a HD picture changing to HDMII will not give you a better picture and in fact may lead to other problems like HDMI HDCP handshake issues. So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

09-02-2009, 03:45 PM	#10
jerbear What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	Thank Yous to Deadhead68, & exdj Thanks folks, Nothing like music loving folks to help out. I appreciate your aid, there are so many various connections between the TV, receiver, and the cable.And good sound, and fun withDVD's are what we're hoping for. Thanks, Jerry, and Mary

08-24-2009, 09:41 PM	#4
mrbeankc High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City Posts: 30	Time Warner originally told me over the phone when I got my HDTV that they didn't support HDMI and promptly gave me an HDMI cable when I picked up my HD box.

09-02-2009, 12:49 PM	#7
jerbear What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	hello, brand new. Not sure where to look, and how to ask. I have an older Sony XBR (ky-36XBR400). NO HDMI. I have this twc SA 8300hdr, and an older Sony dvd-again no HDMI. Where do I go to find the optimal hook up of what? Optical to receiver for sound? 480i to sa 8300 HDR from tv, and red, blue, green 1080i from dvd to tv? I want dvd to look, and sound best. We don't watch too much regular TV, but do have TWC HD, and loke nat. Geo, and History on the HD channels. Sorry I know this is super elementary, and I hope we can afford new things with HDMI some day, for Blu-ray.Thanking any one who can help, or direct me. First message too. Jerry

09-02-2009, 12:57 PM	#9
exdj High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 47	If you have more than one Red/Green/Blue connector on your TV, you should also hook up your SA 8300 that way too. As to sound , the optical from the dvd player to your reciever is the best way to go. If you don't care too much about sound from your Cable, just use Red/White directly into the TV. Thats the short and simple answer.

09-02-2009, 10:48 PM	#11
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	If by chance your tv offers an optical out, AND your reveiver offers an optical in, I would use that for sound. This way you dont have to change inputs on your receiver to go from dvd to cable, etc. Just leave it on the optical output. GL