Noticeable difference between component and digital connection on a LCD fp? (1 Viewer)

[Chris_Matthews]

I would think the obvious answer is yes with LCD having fixed pixels, but is it a huge difference? I have a native 720p projector and viewing DVDs over component look drab (colors seem washed out) and lack detail...with the same picture settings, HDTV looks amazing with really vibrant colors and incredible detail. I ordered an upconverting player with HDMI and am hoping that the purchase will be worthwhile. Will it at least be somewhat comparable to movies over HDTV (I know it will never be able to look as good)?

 

[ChrisWiggles]

Have you calibrated....?

Changes in quality with inputs usually involves differences (usually not huge) in noise. Your problem sounds bigger than that. hence my question.

 

[Chris_Matthews]

I calibrated with Avia. Plus I have HDTV and DVD both going through component.

 

[Elijah]

I know this is a "dumb" question, but when you calibrated did you calibrate the DVD player as well, or just the display. Most DVD players have some form of color, brightness, contrast, and sharpness adjustments for just this.

[rant]This may not be the case, however from working in dial up tech support for a while, one thing you always do is the "Caps Lock" test. That is asking the user if they have their Caps Lock on when their user name or password doesn't work. Honestly 40%-54% of all calls were handled with this simple step.

Checking the obvious can be repetitive, and insult your own intelligence, but can also save quite a few grey hairs in the long run : ). I was reminded of this just the other night when I watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, 120 strands of lights and he forgets to flip the light switch. Man, they don't make them like they used to anymore. You go from shedding a tear when he is in the attic watching old home videos, to laughing so hard you wanna puke.[/rant]

Sorry for the rant, this just happened to be the nearest post : )

Let me know what you find.

 

[Thomas Willard]

Try watching "Finding Nemo" or "Monsters, Inc." With my Panny 300 being fed by component video, the image is for all practical purposes is the same as viewing HDTV. Keep in mind my 300 does not have the resolution that your 500 does. I would venture to say that a DVI connection will not provide a great deal (or any) improvement in picture quality.

 

[ChrisWiggles]

To address Elijah's question, it is usually best to leave the player at default settings, or at the settings which do not clip image data (usually default). Unless your display does not have enough adjustment range to handle the output of the source properly, you may need to resort to adjusting the player, but for most cases adjust your display to match the source. Sources tend to mess with things digitally rather than just analog, so it can end up clipping values, introducing banding artifacts, etc, if you start adjusting things from default. This varies.