$10 Component VS $80 Monster HDMI

[VIAN]

While I may be repeating some information contained here, I doubt anybody has made this kind of comparison. I argue that you don't need to spend a lot of money on any type of audio/vidoe cables. Also, that HDMI isn't worth it. There might exceptions for audio, but that's beyond the scope of this article. I used the following equipment:

Sharp 37" 1080p LCD, calibrated with Avia II
Toshiba HD-A3
$10 Component Cables
$80 Monster HDMI

I connected the HD DVD player with both cables to two different inputs on the TV and then cycled between them. What I found is that there was no practical difference between these cheap Component cables and HDMI. This counters the argument that you may not need expensive cables for HDMI, but you do so for Component. I wouldn't waste more than $20 on any audio/video cables.

 

[spidey07]

I would like to make the following points:

1) your inputs and their settings are different, from a user perspective and your TV - YOU DID CALIBRATE FOR EACH INPUT DIDN'T YOU?????" YOUR DISPLAY DOES MAINTAIN THIS DOESN'T IT???
2) your are most likely comparing processing between your player and your TV

If you don't understand the difference then your judgment is invalid. You list no other details. I propose you don't know what to look for.

This is the kind of misinformation that must be dispelled with those new to video and HD in particular.

 

[alfa147x]

one cable vs 5 ....

 

[VIAN]

This TV doesn't support different video settings for each input. The TV was calibrated via HDMI on the input that was used for HDMI.

I didn't test crazy test patterns, which might have shown something small. All I did was look at some footage of "V for Vendetta" on HD DVD, looking back and forth between the inputs, focusing on how clean the image is in dark scenes, in light scenes, how sharp pores on the skin looked, did the colors change.

I didn't observe a difference in color or detail. If anything, there might have been a slightly sharper image with HDMI. But it was difficult to see, and I'm still not convinced I saw it. This was viewed at a range of about three feet. I doubt you'll be able to notice even that slight sharpness beyond that.

The difference between Composite and Component viewing SD quality is significant. Component makes everything sharper and makes colors more accurate. But between Component and HDMI, no "practical" difference.

 

[VIAN]

Originally posted by: alfa147x
one cable vs 5 ....

I'd probably get HDMI for that reason alone. This article's focus was on image quality only.

 

[olds]

How did the component cables do upconverting an SD disk?

 

[VIAN]

There is no up-converting with Component cables.

 

[Muadib]

Why the heck did you spend $80 on a HDMI cable?

 

[VIAN]

It was a cable that I bought before I was informed. I went to Best Buy to get an HDMI cable. I didn't understand how the cables could have more bandwidth, a marketing ploy that Monster uses. I wasn't sure if it had more wires to acquire that extra bandwidth. Then later I found out the only difference is the shielding and it all made sense.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I agree that the advantages of HDMI are usually overstated, and component can send a comparable picture. Also, you don't have to worry about compatibility issues with component, and there are MANY with HDMI.

That being said, I don't think a 37" screen is going to be ideal for a comparison. And Spidey's point about calibrating to specific inputs is a very valid one.

 

[Auric]

What's the point of this? That given any existing component cable it is not worth spending $10 on an HDMI cable for the potential difference?

Meh. Better to minimize conversion and unneccessary processing. Even more so with larger displays and from PC output. Indeed, VGA is the preferred analog output because it (like digital) avoids the TV encoder with all the inherent limitations and additional potential for problems.

 

[alfa147x]

Idk when our Dish VIP 211 is plugged in via HDMI the colors look better

IMO

 

[Captante]

Many time the difference between component & HDMI won't be noticable & in some cases when it is noticable component looks better ... in fact I've noticed that HDTV from my cable box has slightly richer color when viewed over component, however on my HD-DVD player (obviously using HD media) HDMI appears crisper & cleaner.

Also a top-notch HDMI v1.3 cable from Monoprice.com costs about $7 + shipping.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Auric
What's the point of this? That given any existing component cable it is not worth spending $10 on an HDMI cable for the potential difference?

Meh. Better to minimize conversion and unneccessary processing. Even more so with larger displays and from PC output. Indeed, VGA is the preferred analog output because it (like digital) avoids the TV encoder with all the inherent limitations and additional potential for problems.

The point is neither is inherently better than the other. It all depends on how the source and display handle the video. Too many combinations to draw a conclusion.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: VIAN
There is no up-converting with Component cables.

That's my point.
If a person has a choice, why even use components?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: VIAN
There is no up-converting with Component cables.

That's my point.
If a person has a choice, why even use components?

Because odds are you have component cables at home. Why spend the money on something that will bring you no improvement? The OP wasted $80 on a cable, and got nothing but an empty wallet from it.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: VIAN
There is no up-converting with Component cables.

That's my point.
If a person has a choice, why even use components?

Because odds are you have component cables at home. Why spend the money on something that will bring you no improvement? The OP wasted $80 on a cable, and got nothing but an empty wallet from it.

I paid $10 bucks or so for my HDMI cable at monoprice.
It would seem that by using components that you are only using part of your player or is no one upconverting SD?

 

[ultimatebob]

Both component cables and HDMI cables can do 1080p resolution, so I'm not that surprised.

Besides... were you really expecting a difference on a 37" TV? Hell... you would have to be sitting less than 5 feet in front of the screen to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p at that screen size.

Oh... did anyone mention that you could have got a comparable HDMI cable from Monoprice for $15 yet?