Hi-Def Cable TV ... cable?

[smaug]

I have a quick question. I got a new box today from our cable company so I can get HD channels(was only a few bucks extra a month). Anyways, I know the video is compressed a lot, so is it worth it to get a HDMI cable for the cable box? He hooked it up standard with the component. Does anyone know if HDMI makes a big difference with cable TV?

Thanks!

[softtack]

From what I've heard, HDMI (and DVI for that matter) have been giving people a lot of unnecessary trouble, especially since the picture quality is exactly the same between component and HDMI/DVI.

I have a Comcast HD box with DVI and component, tested both and have noticed no differences.

[MrFenwick]

Unless your 2 foot from your tv, you won't notice.

HD television still has a ways to go before its really worth it....

[REFLEX]

NO DIFFERENCE. The signal is compressed quite a bit..... the difference between Cable HD and HD DVD or Blu-ray is pretty big, just because of the compression.

It can look good, don't get me wrong. But there are big problems, like macroblocking and other motion artifacts.

Just stick with component, its 1080i signals anyway. HDMI won't offer any better results.

[smaug]

Alright thanks guys, that's what I figured. I thought I'd just ask to make sure

[surtur]

does any one have any info on Cable HD vs Sat HD.. i have herd that satellite HD looks better but am not sure i would assume they both use the same compression since they get the same signals from the tv companies is there any benefit to Satellite over cable or vise versa ( i think price is about the same haven't looked into it much)

[grcswoosh]

I have a MOXI box through TWC in SoCal. I went from component to a DVI-->HDMI cable and could not tell the difference. Actually, there was one negative to the digital signal, there was a longer delay when I went from non-HD to HD channels, my screen would go blue for about a second and a half. With the component, it seemed a little faster and never went blue, just paused the original channel.

[grcswoosh]

does any one have any info on Cable HD vs Sat HD.. i have herd that satellite HD looks better but am not sure i would assume they both use the same compression since they get the same signals from the tv companies is there any benefit to Satellite over cable or vise versa ( i think price is about the same haven't looked into it much)

I have heard that cable compression is a lot higher than the satellite, thus satellite would be better. I can't give a source for this info, but I have seen it with my own eyes, my buddy's HD satellite HBO consistantly looks better than my cable version. Bummer!

[REFLEX]

Nope.

Satellite is higher compression than cable. Both are terrible for HD though. OTA is the best you can possibly do (Over the Air).

OTA broadcasts are all over the USA, just get an antenna and you'll pick up all sorts of awesome quality stuff - with a lot less compression than Cable or Satellite.

[Ridge Racer]

Actually I purchased an hdmi cablefor my Comcast cable box and I've so far loved it more than the old component. With the old setup I'd get some interference sometimes and some weird glitches in screen. With the hdmi that's all gone, plus it's a hell of a lot less hassle having that one nice cable over the 5 big bulky ones.

[surtur]

Nope.

Satellite is higher compression than cable. Both are terrible for HD though. OTA is the best you can possibly do (Over the Air).

OTA broadcasts are all over the USA, just get an antenna and you'll pick up all sorts of awesome quality stuff - with a lot less compression than Cable or Satellite.

Well OTA does not help us Canadians (i don't think we even have OTA HD) if we do it is not many channels and even if there was a bunch i wouldn't see OTA HD in my area for probably 20 years (small town) i wish i could get more SD channels OTA i only get 2 and they are fuzzy lol never mind HD.

[DarkManX]

The difference with component and HDMI/DVI on a cable box is when you switch between your SD channels and your HD channels. On component it flickers, with HDMI/DVI its smoother transition.