HDTV Gurus: Big difference between component cables and HDMI?

[Danman]

Alright guys, I just got my HD DVR box hooked up with component cables. Running 1080i, looks freakin amazing. I do have HDMI output on the DVR box, and my TV has DVI in.

Would an HDMI to DVI cable make a huge difference over component cables? Obivously, I would have to buy this to try it out...but I wanted to see what you guys thought of it first. Thanks!

-Dan

 

[Allanv]

I went with component instead of hdmi -> hdmi because it looked better. Stick with what you have

 

[GoingUp]

I used HDMI. Its digital, so thats the one I'd go with.

Plus it can also transport sound.

 

[paulxcook]

I think they both look good, but technically i think hdmi might be a bit better, plus it handles video and sound in one cable.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I'd prefer an optical cable for sound.

 

[BornStar]

Try both and go with whichever one looks better.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

If you have quality component cables, the difference will be minimal (probably even unnoticeable).

 

[krotchy]

the difference will be minimal, but the HDMI will win.

goto www.monoprice.com and pick up an HDMI -> DVI cable, they are cheap and good quality.

 

[KoolAidKid]

$8 so that you can test both

 

[Shawn]

HDMI should definitely look better.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Shawn
HDMI should definitely look better.

Not true AT ALL.

It depends on the TV and how it handles each kind of input.

 

[manowar821]

I prefer component because of DRM.

 

[Linflas]

I really haven't noticed any difference for anything other than my DVD player. The only reason it made a difference with the DVD is bcause the upscale only works over HDMI.

 

[aphex]

Component looks a bit warmer to me on my DLP... and warmer is what i prefer

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: Danman
Alright guys, I just got my HD DVR box hooked up with component cables. Running 1080i, looks freakin amazing. I do have HDMI output on the DVR box, and my TV has DVI in.

Would an HDMI to DVI cable make a huge difference over component cables? Obivously, I would have to buy this to try it out...but I wanted to see what you guys thought of it first. Thanks!

-Dan

I just switched from component cables to a hdmi cable. I watched the same scene multiple times with each, even paused it and zoomed in.... i couldn't notice a difference once i made the settings for each input identical (contrast, brightness, etc.). So i'm using the hdmi cable since it takes the place of 4 or 5 cables, and since the hdmi slot would go unused otherwise.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Shawn
HDMI should definitely look better.

Theoretically true, but in real life, theoretical are useless. If you are not using a huge tv nor pulling your component cable through the middle of a MRI machine, you can't tell the diff.

 

[gerwen]

As already said, difference will be minimal if noticeable at all. Depends on the device/tv combo as to which is better.

Stick with your component cables.

 

[hanoverphist]

just realized if i switched to hdmi i could put my ps2 on component! hehe thanks for the reminder.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Does component send the data for each pixel discreetly?

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I really haven't noticed any difference for anything other than my DVD player. The only reason it made a difference with the DVD is bcause the upscale only works over HDMI.

If it wasn't for that fact, I would go with whatever is cheaper/in my possession already.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I really haven't noticed any difference for anything other than my DVD player. The only reason it made a difference with the DVD is bcause the upscale only works over HDMI.

There are component upscalers out there. Zenith has one, I think Oppo does too. They've been discontinued, but can be found on ebay. Upscaling + no DRM = win.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Why do some people on this forum love upscaling DVD players so much? You know it doesn't actually make the video higher resolution right?

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Why do some people on this forum love upscaling DVD players so much? You know it doesn't actually make the video higher resolution right?

I don't necesarily love it but it is a feature built into my DVD player and I make use of it. It does make the picture look better than it would otherwise look and I don't plan on wasting my money betting on which of 2 incompatible formats both with crippling DRM built into them will win the silly format war that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are waging.

 

[lightpants]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
I used HDMI. Its digital, so thats the one I'd go with.

Plus it can also transport sound.

It will not transport sound into his DVI input.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: KoolAidKid
$8 so that you can test both

monoprice FTW