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No trophy support for Fallout 3 at launchAs game developers start pushing the PlayStation 3's capabilities to the max you may start to wonder; what is the best way to watch these high-definition games? Assuming that you already have your HD television set, the question now is; should I use an HDMI cable or a component cable? The good folks over at Nyko were kind enough to send us their HDMI and component cables to test out and play with.
What is HDMI?
High Definition Multimedia Interface, or better yet known as HDMI, is an evolution of DVI if you will. While DVI is only able to carry digital video, HDMI ups the ante by carrying both digital video and audio. HDMI cables can support any television or computer video format along with multi-channel digital audio.
What is Component Video?
While HDMI can be classified as an evolution of DVI, component video is then an evolution of both composite video (yellow, white, red) and s-video. Component video cables are easily identified by their red, green, and blue connectors and since component video offers better signal clarity over s-video and composite, the end result is better picture quality. One key piece of knowledge is that component video is transmitted in analog format and only carries video signals.
What are the advantages of HDMI?
The biggest advantage that HDMI holds over other cables such as a component cable is quality. Since HDMI is all-digital, there are no conversions which can lower the quality of the video. Another upside is that HDMI can send video and audio with one cable, which saves you the hassle, and possible cost, of dealing with multiple cables.
While HDMI cables can lose quality over a long distance and require such things as a repeater, component video cables can run roughly the same distance without having to use such things. That’s not saying that you can have a 500 foot cable and expect a perfect picture, but for a reasonable distance, component video cables usually manage quite well.
What are the disadvantages of HDMI?
Arguably the largest disadvantage of using an HDMI cable is that a longer cable can result in a loss of quality. This generally isn’t a problem if everything is plugged into a single entertainment center and even if you did want to hook up another TV in your house with high-definition goodness; higher quality cables or repeaters are available which can retain your quality. Another disadvantage is that there is no true standard for HDMI. They have HDMI 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a and so on. Although the connector for each cable is the same, things inside the cable have the ability to do different things.
What are the disadvantages of Component Video?
Quite possible the most talked about disadvantage is the fact that component video displays in analog format. While analog is not generally a bad thing, it does require format conversoins with your PS3, which can result in a loss of quality although some people will state that the loss is so small, it is hardly noticeable. Another disadvantage is that component video cables only carry video signals and no audio.
How are the two the same?
While HDMI and Component each have their set of advantages and disadvantages, they both share the same goal which is to provide the high definition experience. Although they achieve this goal in different ways both cables can provide the essential 720p signals as well as 1080i and 1080p. Take into note that only a small amount of TV’s have the ability to display 1080p using component cables.
Verdict
While HDMI may perform better in most aspects, it is inaccurate to flat out say that HDMI is better than component video. Just because HDMI uses a digital signal does not always imply that you will get a better picture. Although, if your source is digital such as the PS3 in this case, then HDMI is a better choice, but if your using anything like cable based providers then analog may be the better ... (continued on next page)
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i like HDMI better
I find the Cheaper HDMI work just as well,
Haven't you already done an article like this not so long ago? You've said noting new here. Why couldn't you just say its down to your own preferences.
Gee thanks for that in-depth and informative comment there Master_Dan, it helped me make a strong and informative decision. did you even read the article or just want a first comment?
Anyway, I just wanted to say how much it gets on my nips the way Monster try and sell you a £80 HDMI cable. It's such a con.
Not as bad as the guy in Currys last week trying to sell me a £50 optical lead. He told me it would avoid optical loss! Er excuse me, but if my optical cable has a tear I'm either going to get all or nothing I would suspepct.
Anyway. I've tried cheap composite cables and reasonably expensive HDMI cables on my top notch 40" sony TV, and to be honest I can't see any difference. There probably is some slight gain in transmitting the signal digitally with HDMI - the TV should do a better job of translating it into a picture, knowing it's own hardware. But are you really going to start examining pixels in the middle of a game of Motorstorm. No, you're going to punch that guy off his quad bike and laugh like a maniac! :)
I prefer HDMI because if I wanted Component I would have to buy a cable to fit Sony's port and that can cost more then a cheap HDMI cable from the local NED's
I thought this was common knowledge: HDMI is the superior cable. I mean I can understand if this was an information topic, but to compare the two when only one in the first place is THE best its kind of pointless.
[quote] the largest disadvantage of using an HDMI cable is that a longer cable can result in a loss of quality - BS. HDMI is DIGITAL intarface and "1" can't transform to "0" on any distance. The errors can be with low signal, but it's only for >10 m cables.
my tv doesnt have a hdmi slot because igot may hdtv a while back for my xbox.i use the componet cables whith the ps3(which i had to spend £15($30)on).and to be honest i cant tell the difference in them.
ps. haha GINGO i was rite u can get 1080p with the component cables.defeted:P
psn id: gingo... @Glengordon..... well, well done you were actually right but "Take into note that only a small amount of TV's have the ability to display 1080p using component cables" and Paul doesn't have one of those so he doesn't have 1080p with component..... but u were right about the cable =p
psu why r u guys resurrecting old articles. I'm sure that I read this article or an article similar to this about 2 months ago
currys and comet allways try to get you to buy the more expensive cables when you know a cheap HDMI cable is a s good as a dear one because it's digital 0101010101 also they never want to give u a refund if something is broken, "you have to have 3 failures before you can get your money back", don't think so MOFO!!
Are nyko stupid? HDMI is digital. 1's and 0's. It is the same 1's and 0's travelling down the cable and doesn't matter if it is gold or made of candy floss (assuming candy floss can conduct electricity). All the arguments about digtal 'jitter' are pointless.
ITS DIGITAL. NO SIGNAL DEGRADATION NO MATTER HOW LONG THE CABLE IS.
@dokipen
There is degration over long runs. Check the following links:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/hdmi-cables.htm (look at #4)
http://www.octavainc.com/Clear%20Eye%20difference.htm
Something that's been overlooked here so far is HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection). While its not a factor for games, Blu-ray movies and upscaled DVDs can only be viewed in 1080p from an HDMI interface due to HDCP. If you connect via component cables the PS3 will downgrade to output in what is essentially DVD quality for those formats. This effectively destroys the benefits of the HD experience.
I prefer HDMI. Much easier to work with when setting up peoples' entertainment centers. Getting all those component cables through walls and stands is a b!tch.
Though HDCP is looking to be one of the hardest-to-escape standards around.
Ca u have surround sound with HDMI tho? cause i plug the audio into my stereo from my composite to get surround sound.