Component vs HDMI

[Hussar]

My TV has an HDMI slot, and I just went and spent $120 on a cable, but then I plug it in and it doesn't work. The PS3 manual says that not all HDMI TVs will work. I don't understand it, I don't get it, but the component cables work excellently. The PQ is very high.

I don't think it makes much of a difference to be quite honest. If my PQ is this good w/ components, then I can't see HDMI being much better if at all.

[joiseystud]

I'm not disagreeing with what you just said, as I'm still researching stuff but from what I've read so far it's not the cable it's self, it's something with the connections at the ends of the cable that determine how it sends the signal down the cable.
so most likely yes, the cable it's self can handle the signal but the connectors at the ends process the data coming in and going out differently????

not sure. like I said I'm still trying to get to the bottom of it.

I don't think so. In order for backwards compatability the connectors are the same. They then hook to two wires and connect to the other connector. You can but a Ferrari or a Mustang. If you are looking to win every race get the Ferrari... if being fastest most of the time is ok then get the mustang.

[joiseystud]

My TV has an HDMI slot, and I just went and spent $120 on a cable, but then I plug it in and it doesn't work. The PS3 manual says that not all HDMI TVs will work. I don't understand it, I don't get it, but the component cables work excellently. The PQ is very high.

I don't think it makes much of a difference to be quite honest. If my PQ is this good w/ components, then I can't see HDMI being much better if at all.

PS3 may not support all older HDMI standards. Im not sure but they may need a minimum of 1.2. If your TV is 1.0 or 1.1 then your SOL for that interconnect to the PS3. Component is High Def and looks awesome. It is rare that someone could see the difference although there are certain situations (1080p) where the component cable runs out of bandwidth. I don't have 1080p. My set has 1080i, 720p, etc... analog component cables will be perfect and are $20 if you get the ones listed as "PS2 accessories".

[paranoia13]

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.

LIES, all the latest revisions(rather, phases) of Comcast's cable boxes with DVR have either DVI or HDMI.


PS an HDMI 1.2 cable will carry and HDMI 1.3 signal.

The cable is a pair of wires ultimately. How pure is the copper, what is the impedence, is it shielded? These are some of the specs that go into a cable. A regular cable will work in certain scenarios. For instance a low quality cable that does not meet the 1.3 spec may work fine when connecting two pieces of 1.3 equipment but not in every case. If the cable is too long you may suffer issues, if there is interference from other equipment you may have picture artifacts (data loss), you have too much bandwidth going across the cable (1080p) you can have data loss. This is similar to the difference between CAT 5 and CAT 5E. Many people are running 1GB networks on CAT 5 but when they start to utilize the bandwidth all of the sudden packet losses go up, equipment resends, more data collissions, etc. CAT 5E is manufactured to better standards so you know how the cabling will react at those speeds.

You may be able to get away with the lower grade cable in your applicaiton but there is no simple answer... it depends on your setup and a little bit of luck with some other variables.

You're fine as long as you're not buying a $20 HDMI cable at the store, but you can buy these here, and if you really worry go for the 24AWG 6ft wire with gold connectors, that is the thickest 6ft HDMI they offer.

[Vipeme]

There are actual HDMI 1.3 cables????? Did they have 1.1 and 1.2 specific cables???

[paranoia13]

There are actual HDMI 1.3 cables????? Did they have 1.1 and 1.2 specific cables???

No, but companies play the whole the game anyway to get you to spend $200 instead of $100 :sleep:


I promise you, this cable could pass an HDMI 1.3 signal
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...ormat=2&style=


And if you are worried it wont I know this one would.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...mat=4#feedback

[NNatic]

return that garbage and get the monoprice one. $120 no way!!! trust me the monoprice is the SAME thing. i am part of a high end AV forum and they almost always use monoprice or bluejeans cables.

make sure you get it to work first.... then return your cable and pick up the monoprice ones.

1. plug in YWR cables
2. plug in hdmi cables
3. turn on ps3
4. change setting from YWR to HDMI
5. change tv input to HDMI
6. enjoy your HD signal.

[EMAGDNIM]

Okay...I've been selling tv's for a while now (It was my first job and I'm still doing it sooooo.....) I can say that there *IS* a difference, but its small and depends on the tv (And how well it scales the information).

I would recommend using the BEST input possible on yur tv so that would be HDMI. It's not a big deal if you don't have one though. Don't think that your TV is crummy becuase of this...

People are playing into the numbers games (All this 1080P talk) and it's starting to get bad again. Its just like with big screens a while ago. People wanted bigger and bigger and it didn't matter if it was not the right setup for them, they just had to have a "large screen"...

[nick²]

If the cable meets HDMI 1.2 specs, it will work with HDMI 1.3 (they left in some headroom). Basically the cable is specified to have an imedance of 100 ohm +/- 15%.. Resistance is determined by cable width and the material used. If your run is under 10 feet, 28 AWG cable made of 99% copper fits the HDMI specs. It will do the exact same job as a $300 cable.

There is almost no gradual signal degredation. When you do start to have signal loss, it happens in a very noticable way... You start to see white or colored pixels popping up where they aren't supposed to... It is very distracting. The point at when this starts to happen is called the "digital cliff".

Don't be concerned too much about connectors or anything either. The whole gold connector thing isn't to increase signal quality. Its actually meant to prevent oxidation of the connector tip. However, unless you live on the ocean or something like that, you won't have to really worry about your connector rusting for a decade or so (in which case you will probably have a new tv, with all new connectors and such).

If you are concerned about signal loss, there is still no reason to get a super expensive cable. A 24 gauge cable is all you need. Impedence and resistance is all that matters. Since the cable should be 99% copper, the gague of the cable should guarentee resistance. The impedance should almost always be the same if its an HDMI compliant cable. The only real factor left is shielding, and this really isn't all that big of an issue. Everything needs to be shielded, but even pretty basic shielding is enough to deal with interference in most people's homes.

People always like to ignore physics when dealing with cables. No matter what you do to the cable, all that matters is resistance, impedance and shielding. Nothing else matters.