Does HDMI output provide anything better than DVI?

Question

I'm building my own HTPC. I have a 63 HDTV and want the best picture that I can see. Asus has a card that offers HDMI output but I was thinking about buying a Nvidia 7900GT which has DVI. I currently use a cable box that has a HDMI output, but in the past I used one that was DVI and I didn't see any difference. Should I see a difference and does HDMI really provide anything other than needing a more expensive cable?

Answer 1

HDMI supports HDCP (High Def Copy Protection) which is not supported by DVI.

There is the possibility that Blu-ray drives or HD-DVD drives for your home theater PC may not display programs in HD if the disc has the HDCP flag set. The software drivers from Microsoft will most likely honor the HDCP flag meaning you could be SOL with a DVI only output.

In this case, going with HDMI may "future proof" your HTPC if you put in a Blu-ray or HD-DVD drive. If you are just going to display photos, DVD video, and the computer display, there is not much advantage of HDMI vs DVI, especially if the display card does not route audio through the HDMI cable.

There is a new HDMI 1.3 standard that supports even more colors, but your card is not likely going to support it at this time. The big advantage will support for billions rather than millions of colors and uncompressed audio support.

The cables are not that expensive. I got mine from Optimized Cable Company. The prices are in the range of $10 - $20. You don't need the $100 HDMI cables that Monster or others are trying to sell.

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Someone else pointed out that there is DVI with HDCP. I am mistaken that HDMI is required for HDCP. HOWEVER, at least one site points out that DVI/HDCP may not be correctly implemented. So it might be more correct to say that HDMI has a better chance of having a correctly implemented HDCP than DVI does.
http://www.digiupdate.com/G002_DVI_HDMI_and_HDCP.html

Answer 2

You will definitely see a much better picture clarity and the pictures will look fantastic on HDMI, In between DVI and HDMI you could also use the Component(Y Pb Pr) cable on the Component port which also shall be better than the DVI if cost of the HDMI Cable is a constraint.

Cheers
Bibs

Answer 3

DVI does indeed support HDCP, That is the only way to receive a current HD image from most consumer electronic sources. The only difference (just like the previous answer stated) is Audio transmission with HDMI, and support of the new next generation audio formats from Dolby and DTS.

Both will work fine for you, if you decide to use DVI, simply make sure it is HDCP compliant.

Answer 4

HDMI and DVI will have similar pictures, both digital. Remember though that DVI DOES NOT provide digital sound, you'll need separate cables for sound, like an optical digital cable. HDMI provides both digital cable and sound. I would go HDMI all the way.

Answer 5

HDMI and DVI offer the same picture quality"all digital to digital transfer". The only and major difference is that HDMI supports audio and versions 1.1, 1.2 and soon 1.3 support multichannel PCM 96khz/24bit for high resolution audio and video for "Blu-ray & HD-DVD".

Answer 6

you should opt to reset your video settings to do this hook it up purely like you want it then contact the means button on the PS3 not the controller and carry it till eventually the PS3 activates notwithstanding off and that ought to reset your your video settings and in no thanks to stress this gained't reset some thing different then that. once you change your PS3 back on if i undergo in ideas proper that's going to ask you some questions with reference to the settings and if it does then go with what you want and it will be good