HDMI vs. Component Video w/optical Cables

pdog · 11-04-2007, 06:12 AM

I'm currently using Compnent Video w/optical cable for my DVD and HD Cable Box. If I was to get HDMI Cables would I notice and difference in picture quality or sound quality or would I just be elminated all the extra wiring?

Al.Anderson · 11-04-2007, 07:37 AM

I'll start you off with a reply based only on reading other threads -

- the video upscalers only work over HDMI, so if you have one of those you'll see an improvement. Otherwise, it depends on your equipment - in general the connections are comparable, but your equipment might handle one or the other better.

Bob McElfresh · 11-04-2007, 10:42 AM

You wont see or hear any difference because of the cable. You might have to re-calibrate your TV for the HDMI input instead of the component input, but thats about it.

Actually - let me correct this a bit.

Most televisions convert the analog signal to digital so it can scale it to it's internal format. Using component cables, the TV has to do an analog-to-digital conversion. There can be some artifacts, issues with this. Sending the signal with HDMI, the TV can likely do a better job with it's internal processing.

So HDMI could be better depending on the TV and how well (or poorly) it processes the component signals.

pdog · 11-04-2007, 02:43 PM

Equip:
Samsung LN-S4692D LCD
Yamaha RX-V740

One more quick question I'm thinging about upgrading my whole HTS and getting a HD DVD player. If I was to do this would I need to use HDMI in order to get a 1080P display with the HD DVD?

homthtr · 11-05-2007, 11:09 PM

Bob's answer above still remains the same....

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Mike Mace · 11-06-2007, 07:44 AM

I was holding out on HDMI cables......but after I got a new avr 247 receiver I figured I'd give em a try....wow, they are much more convenient. If you need cables, go to Blue Jeans Cables....they got some quaility hdmi cables there for a fraction of the price of retail stores.

Echo42987 · 11-08-2007, 03:36 PM

I agree with Bob's answer as well. They only difference is that you'll be able to run different audio formats like TrueHD. If you not doing it for that purpose then your current setup is great!

-Nick-

ChrisWiggles · 11-11-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdog

I'm currently using Compnent Video w/optical cable for my DVD and HD Cable Box. If I was to get HDMI Cables would I notice and difference in picture quality or sound quality or would I just be elminated all the extra wiring?

Not for these formats no.

However, for HD-DVD/BRD, yes there most certainly would be a difference, since it requires HDCP for video, which analog does not provide at all. And HDMI is required for high-res audio from those formats.

Scooter · 11-11-2007, 05:06 PM

On the audio side...if a player has discrete 8.1 audio outs, wouldn't the audio be full HD and not something less than that.

ChrisWiggles · 11-11-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scooter

On the audio side...if a player has discrete 8.1 audio outs, wouldn't the audio be full HD and not something less than that.

If the player has onboard decoding, yes. But you would need to run 8 analog cables for that. You couldn't get that with SPDIF, which is what the OP asked about.