Component vs HDMI

[jason551]

To All,

I know this isn't a PS3 specific question(if it helps; I have a PS1 and 2 and will get a 3 when it's available), but........ I have an HDTV(Sony) but I am finally getting HDTV programming this Saturday. The cable company said that they use component cables not an HDMI cable. My tv allows for both(KS-32HS420), but I thought that HDMI will show a sharper or clearer picture? Will I be able to tell the difference? my tv only supports up to 1080i not 1080p. Is an HDMI a significant difference over Components? Should I demand an HDMI cable instead?




Thanks for the help guys,
jason

[sandcracker21]

Honestly, its not worth it, theres not too much of a difference, and with a 1080i tv, you will be fine with componant cables

[jason551]

Thanks for the help. May we both be lucky enough to get some PS3's




jason

[[__--MUD--__]]

i would be really suprised if any US cable companies have hdmi connectors on their hdtv boxes. I know Comcast just has component, atleast in my area.

Only bad thing about HDTV is you realize how horrible/crappy regular tv and DVD's are. FYI, Dishnetwork seems to have the most HD content & channels available at a reasonable cost....probably cheaper than your cable bill...atleast it was for me.

[REFLEX]

If you can use DVI/HDMI cable for best results. Because if you use Component cables you are getting a digital signal, converting into analog for the cable, then back into digital for your TV. With DVI/HDMI you will be able to keep it all digital.

But in the end you will have a hard time telling the difference, especially if its not 1080p.

[GamerG]

there is very little difference in quality between the two it depends on your tv some are better at one input some the other.

If you only have 1 HDMi then let the cable company use the component and use the HDMi for the PS3 or an upscalling DVD player (upscalling is not allowed over component for copy right reasons).

[REFLEX]

Well Id rather suggest getting an HDMI switcher......

Unless your TV is analog display or your source is analog display then DVI/HDMI will be slightly better quality. But like I said, if your TV isnt 1080p you probably wont notice much of a difference. But you may depending on many different factors.

Component does a fine job of carring 1080i signals but it is analog so the process that I described in my previous post comes into play and can effect things.

[rikwakefield]

An excellent DVI - HDMI - COMPONENT comparison:


http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html


It's a common misconception that HDMI or digital connections are better. An interesting paragraph from the above link:

Isn't Digital Just Better?

It is often supposed by writers on this subject that "digital is better." Digital signal transfer, it is assumed, is error-free, while analog signals are always subject to some amount of degradation and information loss. There is an element of truth to this argument, but it tends to fly in the face of real-world considerations. First, there is no reason why any perceptible degradation of an analog component video signal should occur even over rather substantial distances; the maximum runs in home theater installations do not present a challenge for analog cabling built to professional standards. Second, it is a flawed assumption to suppose that digital signal handling is always error-free. DVI and HDMI signals aren't subject to error correction; once information is lost, it's lost for good. That is not a consideration with well-made cable over short distances, but can easily become a factor at distance.

[jason551]

Wow,

Thanks for all the information. Without the ability for 1080p I am happy about the bargain I am getting for Components. I live in an apartment complex that is locked into a cable contract with Brighthouse Networks. Not much of a choice for competitors. The price is good but I was worried that composite would not show as much resolution&audio as an HDMI connector.





jason.

[GuySpook]

I would suggest using component. The reason I say this is because your TV doesnt support 1080p. There's just no use in using HDMI without 1080p as it was meant for.

[rikwakefield]

I would suggest using component. The reason I say this is because your TV doesnt support 1080p. There's just no use in using HDMI without 1080p as it was meant for.

I'd say HDMI is more convenient though, as it's just a single cable. Horses for courses though. You'll be pleased whichever connection you use.

[nate0409]

im going to buy both hdmi and components today... just to see if i tell a difference if i dont.. then the expensive one is going back to the store

[LonghornGamer]

My tv is 1080i and I could tell a HUGE difference between component and HDMI. I would personally suggest getting a DVI to HDMI cable to run from your cable box to the tv.

[DarkManX]

This just bothers me.

Composite = yellow analog video input, w/ two audio inputs

Component = red, green, blue analog video input

HDMI was created to carry both full digital video and audio on one cable while being able to support high security to prevent piracy.

[LetsGoMets]

i would be really suprised if any US cable companies have hdmi connectors on their hdtv boxes. I know Comcast just has component, atleast in my area.

Only bad thing about HDTV is you realize how horrible/crappy regular tv and DVD's are. FYI, Dishnetwork seems to have the most HD content & channels available at a reasonable cost....probably cheaper than your cable bill...atleast it was for me.

Cablevision / iO digital cable has a HD DVR box that has HDMI. I still use component though.

[kuku]

An excellent DVI - HDMI - COMPONENT comparison:


http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html


It's a common misconception that HDMI or digital connections are better. An interesting paragraph from the above link:

That's an old old posting, and in my opinion somewhat bias. You can't take it for any sort of truth anymore, because technology today is different.

It's based on the best senerio case. Which is, your gold plated component vs gold plated hdmi, or whatever.

The problem is cost.

Interference is a lot more sceptible on analog side. Thus unless you got a clean room, you have a lot of interference.

The other thing is component is only meant to be 16bit per channel. HDMI can handle upto 32bit I believe(1.3 spec).

Finally, there's the TV analog converter. Most TVs and devices have very cheaply made analog converters. It's not in the spec so it's cost cutted.

With a digital signal, you have a straight connection.

analog-> digital is still annoying, since conversion will be made, but a digital to digital will produce significant quality.

Just to put it in perspective, My computer going to my HDTV via VGA produced heavy "bands". Due to my crappy cable line giving off massive interference(I can't fix that since it's the cable company).

On the same DVI signal to the HDTV, it produces no digression.

Cost:
Component is 5 wires. 5! That's a lot of money, and only get expensive since analog signals you need better quality ones.

HDMI is much cheaper.

[asnpcwiz]

But in the end you will have a hard time telling the difference, especially if its not 1080p.

This is the truth. My cable box actually has both HDMI and Component on it. But the signal coming in is 1080i. When I first got the box I went out to buy a HDMI cable. Watched the TV programming and saw it was the exact same as the Component cables I already had on it. In fact I had my wife actually switching between HDMI and Component for me to see if I can tell a difference...I couldn't. We switched places and she couldn't tell the difference either. I returned the HDMI cable and used the Component cables I already had. However, for your PS3, I'd go HDMI if your TV can support 1080p.

[justinkwaugh]

Cost:
Component is 5 wires. 5! That's a lot of money, and only get expensive since analog signals you need better quality ones.

HDMI is much cheaper.

Component is 3 wires.

Cables are all cheap. Even for good quality ones. Goto monoprice.com and see for yourself.

[kuku]

This is the truth. My cable box actually has both HDMI and Component on it. But the signal coming in is 1080i. When I first got the box I went out to buy a HDMI cable. Watched the TV programming and saw it was the exact same as the Component cables I already had on it. In fact I had my wife actually switching between HDMI and Component for me to see if I can tell a difference...I couldn't. We switched places and she couldn't tell the difference either. I returned the HDMI cable and used the Component cables I already had. However, for your PS3, I'd go HDMI if your TV can support 1080p.

That's not the cable's fault. That's your cable company saving money.

It's an analog signal coming in. Just cheaply converted to digital for hdmi.

Component is 3 wires.

Cables are all cheap. Even for good quality ones. Goto monoprice.com and see for yourself.

You fogot Audio L aduio R.

[Aleman]

That's not the cable's fault. That's your cable company saving money.

It's an analog signal coming in. Just cheaply converted to digital for hdmi.

Doesn't digital cable use digital signals?

[kuku]

Doesn't digital cable use digital signals?

Nope. Cable companies cheat. Very feel use an actual digital signal. And they give you sub par boxes. So consumers have compnonent and hdmi ports.

[asnpcwiz]

That's not the cable's fault. That's your cable company saving money.

It's an analog signal coming in. Just cheaply converted to digital for hdmi.

Oh, I completely agree. I was hoping to see a big difference with the HDMI cable, but didn't so returned them...no sense in spending money when I already had Component cables that achieved the exact same picture. That's why I'm saying you might not notice a difference. I didn't say it's the cable's fault at all.

[justinkwaugh]

You fogot Audio L aduio R.

I did not forget those. They have nothing to do with component. Yes, hdmi can send audio along with the video, but most people i know do not make use of that, as they plug the hdmi into the tv, and then a separate set of audio to a receiver... via rca cables or toslink fiber.

[Aleman]

For $10 you can get a full-signal-quality HDMI cable.

It takes more $$ than that to get comparable results from component cables.

[okstate34]

hey guys, i have a question for you component hdmi guys. Will i be able to tell a difference in the picture if i use component cables on a samsung 42" 720p plasma instead of using composite cables???????? Thanks for the help