HT Buffs - $100 component cables worth it?

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: TGregg

Originally posted by: thomsbrain


that's exactly right. pretty lame huh? it's the product of the move to digital happening on two different fronts at two different times. we got DVD before we got HDTV.

anyway, DVI is the same connector as on DVI computer displays, like for newer LCD's. most video cards have DVI output and either a seperate 15-pin connector for analog, or an adapter. i don't know if you can just hook a computer up to an HDTV like that, as i'm no expert, but it's the same connector. i've heard they use firewire on some of the newer satillite recievers, but again, i'm no expert on digital connections so don't quote me on it.

Well crap. I guess that explains why this has been so confusing, the industry doesn't want to promote the idea that we've all been paying extra to mess up our picture quality. Thanks to all posters for their help, I've learned a lot. Are there DVD/VCR players with DVI out? Even if it's just DVD on the DVI (and regular AV on the VCR). And, are there 27" TVs (or monitors) with DVI in for under a grand?

The component interface is very high quality, there is no need to invest in a TV & DVD player that support DVI. Yes, there is at least one DVD player (That I know of) that has a DVI connection.

Get a decent TV & DVD player, get quality component cables, & then do what most people neglect - Calibrate your TV.

You'll love the results.

Viper GTS

Whatchu talkin bout Willis. Calibrating your TV does nothing, it's all in the cables.

 

[TGregg]

Here's something interesting from warlock56 over at DSLReports:

"Analog video outputs, be they a composite output, s-video or component video, are all limited to a maximum resolution of 480p. If you want to get a better signal than that, which you can, you'll need a player that has either a DVI output or HDMI output. Currently the only players I know of that have such outputs are Marantz(DVI) and Pioneer DV59-AVi(HDMI). I think Samsung makes a player with a DVI output too, however I don't really consider Samsung to be at the apex of quality engineering."

Those DVI players are 3k and up. Yikes. But what is really interesting to me, is that all mid range DVD players only put out 480 lines, even though DVDs are recorded at 720p. In other words, DVD players for us mid-range folks are going to get a lot better in a few years.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: TGregg
Here's something interesting from warlock56 over at DSLReports:

"Analog video outputs, be they a composite output, s-video or component video, are all limited to a maximum resolution of 480p. If you want to get a better signal than that, which you can, you'll need a player that has either a DVI output or HDMI output. Currently the only players I know of that have such outputs are Marantz(DVI) and Pioneer DV59-AVi(HDMI). I think Samsung makes a player with a DVI output too, however I don't really consider Samsung to be at the apex of quality engineering."

Those DVI players are 3k and up. Yikes. But what is really interesting to me, is that all mid range DVD players only put out 480 lines, even though DVDs are recorded at 720p. In other words, DVD players for us mid-range folks are going to get a lot better in a few years.

That is completely false information.

Also the samsung player is actually pretty good.

Component video can support any kind of resolution (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p). But all this talk about cables brings up the point that HD is much higher bandwidth and hence needs a good coaxial component cable.

Just remember that your TV displays ANALOG. It is not a digital display unless it is DLP, LCD, plasma, etc. So there really is no need for an all digital path.

-edit- DVDs are recorded at standard NTSC resotions (480 lines). There are no HD dvds yet.

 

[SweetSweetLeroyBrown]

The Bravo D1 DVD player supports DVI output

 

[SweetSweetLeroyBrown]

oh its like 200 bux

 

[TGregg]

Originally posted by: SweetSweetLeroyBrown
oh its like 200 bux

Sure, make me cry now that I bought my DVD/VCR Player (Toshiba SD-V391 if anybody is interested).

 

[TGregg]

I'm going with the AT-favored AR cables. Not even going to bother trying the $100 monsters, seeing as how my entire system cost less than 2 grand. Planning to buy this Samsung HD-Ready TV, any comments? If that link doesn't work, it's the TXN2798HF.

 

[TGregg]

I'm going with the AT-favored AR cables. Not even going to bother trying the $100 monsters, seeing as how my entire system cost less than 2 grand. Planning to buy this Samsung HD-Ready TV, any comments? If that link doesn't work, it's the TXN2798HF.

 

[src]

Originally posted by: TGregg

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Of course they are...but at what cost, is the question. i.e. what else could you buy with the money you save. Our store sells Tara Labs highest stuff, and I've seen $15K cables that had a noticeable difference from the $8K ones...

Personally, for $100, go make your own, or get them made. The Belden/Canare DIY cable route is a great way to go, and that's what I'm using for all of my cables.

I don't understand why it would be different. Not trying to be offensive or anything (a couple months ago I didn't even know the difference between 480p and 1080i), but there is no signal degradation on digital, right? It?s either a 1 or a zero, it?s not going to be a .873231. Unless it gets lost on El Cheapo cables. But how could that happen?

No, it's not going to be .873231 the problem is not degredation, but jitter. Timing is very important for this kind of digital stuff, and vibrations (and other stuff) can screw with the sound significantly.

 

[RudeBoie]

I use Monster composite (leftover from another system I had hooked up) for my components. I wonder what's the difference between that and Monster component.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: spidey07

-edit- DVDs are recorded at standard NTSC resotions (480 lines). There are no HD dvds yet.

There are HD dvds out there, but it is still in beta. I think they use the newer blue laser recorders and dvd players.

And from what I understand, NTSC has a max resolution of 540 lines.

 

[Tab]

I am getting this right. You spending $8,000 on a video cable?

 

[TGregg]

Originally posted by: Tabb
I am getting this right. You spending $8,000 on a video cable?

Who me? Nope. $30. for the Audio Research ones. Thirty bucks or less.

 

[zerocool1]

when I was looking at composite, people here said to go with dayton research( I think that's what the company is). It came from a company called parts express. go to partsexpress.com