New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Simple question about HDMI

post #1 of 11
12/11/07 at 12:16pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all---

I am still waiting out the format war, but I have to admit, with the price of the players falling under $500, it's far more tempting to upgrade now more than ever before. And there are many new or upcoming releases that I'd love to own, but I just can't see spending the money on for a standard DVD release when I hope to upgrade to HD in the next year or two.

Anyway, a serious issue for me is display.

I know that both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD use HDMI outputs. My problem is that my primary TV is a Misubishi 46" 6x9 that has a maximum output of 1080i and NO HDMI input. [It's about 6 years old, so it was made back when HDMI was unheard of...]

Does this mean I essentially don't have any option except to upgrade my TV? Is there no adapter available to connect HDMI to component inputs?

I can't see being able to upgrade my player AND my display...so I may be stuck in standard DVD land for quite some time.

Hopefully, you all can offer some suggestions or alternatives.

Thanks,
mattl
Reply
post #2 of 11
12/11/07 at 1:20pm

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Here is a link that describes how to do this. I have not tried it. You will note that protected content will not display through this method, but you might be able to see your dvd's upconverted using an appropriate dvd player and this method. Just note that to do this at all is going to run you about $400 dollars. Not as much as a new TV but still....
http://www.sewellsupport.com/archives/component-to-hdmi
Reply
post #3 of 11
12/11/07 at 9:23pm

Re: Simple question about HDMI

hi,
i thought that component connection was as good as hdmi, maybe you can connect this way - someone can correct me if i am wrong.
adam.
Reply
post #4 of 11
12/12/07 at 5:53am

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Quote:
I know that both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD use HDMI outputs.
It's rarely the sole connection, though. Can't speak to BD, but my Toshiba A2 sends HD DVD over its component outs at 1080i. No need for HDMI unless you want to upconvert regular DVD.
Reply
post #5 of 11
12/12/07 at 1:30pm

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Plus one on Jack.

My Toshiba A3 has both; a friend's BD301 (? - Sony Blu-Ray) has both. As I understand, component video D/A converts in the player, then A/D converts in the TV - for a digital TV. Yours is analog though (I guess, at that age, it is a rear projection, right?) and may not do the second conversion. HDMI interconnects do away with both, just use the pure bits.

Anyway, what you really want to know: You can select wisely, and come up with either a BR or HD DVD player that will drive your current set, and the digital one you spring for down the road. Just stay away from Radio Shack and their $90 HDMI cables!

Enjoy, tony.
Reply
post #6 of 11
12/14/07 at 12:42am

Re: Simple question about HDMI

What kind of television is it? Both the quality and price of LCD, plasma, (and rear-projection) TVs have changed dramatically in the last 6 years. I mention it because a very solid LCD/plasma TV can now be had for $1500 or less, at least in the 40"-50" range.
More to your question, most (if not all) Blu-ray and HD-DVD player should have a component video output which is slightly inferior to HDMI in terms of video quality but will still showcase the advantage of HD video vs. DVD video; (though some HD movies simply look better than others, like with DVD movies). Furthermore, the low-end price point of Blu-ray players has finally hit $300 and is less than $250 for HD-DVD players.
In the last year I've purchased an HD-DVD player (Toshiba A2) for $300, a 42" plasma TV (Panasonic) for $1300, and a Blu-ray player (Samsung P1400) for $300. I also got the Onkyo TX-SR 605 receiver (with decoding for the HD sound formats) for $500. None of these are "top of the line", but for my space and my budget I'm extremely pleased with the results.
Reply
post #7 of 11
12/14/07 at 5:54am

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Unless there is something wrong with the player or TV, HD over component should be identical to HD over HDMI. The only reason for HDMI is HDCP (copy protection), which is why SD DVD's aren't being upconverted over component. If all you are worried about is seeing HD from HD DVD or Blu-ray, no need to spend $400 for the converter stuff.
Reply
post #8 of 11
12/14/07 at 6:50am
Thread Starter 

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Hello all---

First, thanks so much for all of the replies and for your patience, too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Gilvey
It's rarely the sole connection, though. Can't speak to BD, but my Toshiba A2 sends HD DVD over its component outs at 1080i. No need for HDMI unless you want to upconvert regular DVD.

See, that's where I misunderstood. Somehow, I got it into my head that both BR and HD-DVD players *ONLY* have HDMI outputs [no component]. I don't know where I got that idea, but it's probably the source of my confusion. So, if HD players have component outputs, do they also have optical audio outputs similar to standard DVD players?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Gatie
Unless there is something wrong with the player or TV, HD over component should be identical to HD over HDMI. The only reason for HDMI is HDCP (copy protection), which is why SD DVD's aren't being upconverted over component. If all you are worried about is seeing HD from HD DVD or Blu-ray, no need to spend $400 for the converter stuff.

Okay, so, if I understand you all correctly, I *should* be able to see a high def image from a BR or HD-DVD player on my TV using component connections. But I will not be able to see upconcerted standard DVDs, because they only upconvert via HDMI. Is this correct? Will I still be able to watch standard DVDs in 480p played through either HD player?

Tony and Jesse---yes, my TV is...wow...I guess it's 6 years old this year. It's a 46" widescreen Mitsubishi rear projection. Jesse, I appreciate all of the feedback about affordable equipment. The items you listed are each very reasonably priced---I just don't have room in my budget right now to purchase that much gear, even if it's not, as you say, "top of the line." At best, I'll be able to buy an HD player soon. Like many people, I'm just waiting on the format war.

So, my final question is this: my TV displays at a maximum resolution of 1080i, but BR and HD-DVD send a signal at 1080p, right? Will I be able to see a slightly less than full-quality HD signal on my TV?

Again, thanks so much for your time and help.

matt
Reply
post #9 of 11
12/14/07 at 7:06am

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Quote:
So, if HD players have component outputs, do they also have optical audio outputs similar to standard DVD players?
Sure. While that connection won't get you the full resolution of the new lossless audio codecs, my A2 downconverts them to a DTS bitstream at the highest bitrate optical can handle. Likely as good or better than the best standard DVD tracks you've heard.

Quote:
Okay, so, if I understand you all correctly, I *should* be able to see a high def image from a BR or HD-DVD player on my TV using component connections. But I will not be able to see upconcerted standard DVDs, because they only upconvert via HDMI. Is this correct? Will I still be able to watch standard DVDs in 480p played through either HD player?

Absolutely. Any slight possible gain from upconverting DVD (it's a 480i medium any way you slice it) is dwarfed by comparison to a true HD source, anyway.

Quote:
So, my final question is this: my TV displays at a maximum resolution of 1080i, but BR and HD-DVD send a signal at 1080p, right? Will I be able to see a slightly less than full-quality HD signal on my TV?
You can set the output to 1080i, no problem. The discernable difference between 1080p and 1080i is hotly debated in certain circles, but suffice to say you're not missing a whole lot.
Reply
post #10 of 11
12/14/07 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Thanks, Jack.

See, now you've gone and complicated the whole thing for me even more...! Until now, I had myself convinced that I couldn't upgrade to HD [either format] because I'd have to buy a new TV as well, and that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

Now that I know I can actually watch BR or HD-DVD on my current TV, those continually-dropping prices on the players have become even more tempting...

Argh! Must resist...

matt
Reply
post #11 of 11
12/15/07 at 4:19am

Re: Simple question about HDMI

Quote:
Now that I know I can actually watch BR or HD-DVD on my current TV, those continually-dropping prices on the players have become even more tempting...
Indeed. With deals these days, you could easily own an HD DVD player and 5-10 movies without much of an investment at all. BD is getting cheaper, too.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home