HDMI Or Component?

I have cable tv with high definition. The cable box has only component outputs. However I can trade it in for one with an HDMI output. My LCD Samsung reads 1080i on the high def channels. Would I get any better picture with a box that has an HDMI output? I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Thanks,
Tom.K

Re: HDMI Or Component?

Since the highest resolution output for TV broadcasts is 1080i, and that resolution can be passed over component, you will probably see little to no improvement in picture quality by using HDMI. The benefit would be simplified cabling if you also have a receiver with HDMI connections, since a single HDMI cable would carry both audio and video.

Personally, I have not bothered to change over my Comcast cable box to one that supports HDMI since upgrading my TV recently to a 1080p set. I just used the existing component connection that was in place for my old 1080i CRT RPTV.

Blu-ray, on the other hand, is a different story, since that format supports 1080p native resolution, which cannot be carried over component video cables.

Re: HDMI Or Component?

Thanks Scott! I thought that might be the answer but I'm new to High Def so I wasn't 100% sure. I'll keep the Comcast box that I have. Now I have to find a decent Blu Ray player without spending a fortune.