Whats the better quality connection,hdmi or component?

Question

Most people asume its hdmi but ive read a few aticles on this subject and it may not be the case ,anyone tried both and come up with the answer?

Answer 1

Whew, lots of opinions on this issue. Guess I'll add mine.

Anyone who's acquired some knowledge of analog circuits knows that any time you add a component (like a resistor or transistor etc.) to a signal path you take away a little of the signal fidelity and add a little bit of noise. This doesn't happen in a digital circuit so long as the data arrives at it's sink (the TV in our case) in tact. For this reason, HDMI is the clear winner, but there are exceptions.

Most of us just want to hook an HD cable/satellite box and a DVD player to our TV. If the TV is a digital device such as a plasma, LCD, Lcos or DLP then HDMI is the clear choice since you have a digital to digital connection, you'll have no analog circuit interference. If the TV is an analog device such as a picture tube, a CRT projector or a CRT rear projection, then it's not quite as critical since the TV will have to convert to analog anyway.

It's important to understand that the component cable itself is not the culprit. It's the digital to analog then analog to digital circuitry that's to blame for quality issues. Buy mega-dollar hardware and analog problems can be imperceptible. Just to land this statement in the right ballpark, a flagship Krell DVD player will cost $8000.00 US.

Those that have high priced legacy devices that require component video have no choice just yet. Remember, component video in the Y pB pR analog configuration is already 10 years old so there has been a lot of developement for it. HDMI is relatively new and it needs time to catch up. It's too bad that Y cB cR, the digital version of component video, never caught on.

If you're equipment is capable of HDMI, use it. Make sure you buy good cables and if you haven't already bought equipment, make sure it's HDMI version 1.3. If you need to send HDMI over long distances, there are devices in the $500 range that will let you send signal over (2) cat5e or cat6 cables effectively. I've run 130' with cat6 and experienced no signal degredation in fast-action 1080p.

There have certainly been issues with HDMI but they're getting ironed out. With version 1.3 they seem to be gone unless you are really working it, like an 8 x 8 HDMI matrixed system running Vista Media Centers and Extenders to all TVs in a 12,000 sq. ft. house. I do crazy stuff like this for well heeled clients and HDMI is much more difficult to work with. If component video was equal, I'd go back to using it and my life would be so much easier! But, if you have a typical surround room and your equipment is near your digital display, HDMI won't be difficult at all. In fact, it's quite easy since one cable does it all.

Here's one last reason to choose HDMI. In the early days, (last year) there was talk by both the BluRay and HD-DVD camps that one day they will drop component video output to a maximum of 480p in favor of the copy protected HDMI 1080p exclusively. Will they ultimately do it? Who knows for sure, but they can whenever they want. And it's legal. One thing is forsure: If copyrighted, illegally shared 1080p content becomes popular on the Internet, they'll turn off high resolution component video in a New York Minute.

It may not sound like it, but I don't profit in any way by promoting HDMI. I just call it like I see it.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You are just going to have to try both if you really wanna find out. Trust your eyes and not everyone elses. What looks good to you may not look good to others. Do your own experimentation. I did. I use HDMI interconnects. I ran my hd satellite receiver and my Oppo upconverting dvd player using hdmi cables to my AV receiver. Then from the AV receiver 1 hdmi cable to my panasonic projector. I noticed that when watching NFL games in HD the picture looked grainy and when the camera would do a pan shot it seemed like the football field and the crowd image would refresh. So I swapped the hdmi cable for the cheap component red/blue/green cable that came with the hd satellite receiver and my images were smooth. Better picture, grainy, reflash image gone. I then decided to do the same with my dvd player, I swapped the DVI to HDMI cable for a high quality component red/blue/green cable. The image using the component cable was degraded. Not as sharp and bright. I swapped it back to the DVI to HDMI and the image was better. With both these test the I used 2-3ft cables and 1-6ft cable. Go ahead and SEE FOR YOURSELF. Good luck!

Answer 4

In my professional experience, *up until now* (things can always change) Component has been better than HDMI.

On the high-end equipment that I use, we can fine tune the picture to a much higher degree, resulting in a far superior image, when using Component. The HDMI settings are locked down.

Philosophically, I have always agreed that it's better to avoid unnecessary translations between digital and analog, even though in this case it doesn't seem to be the deciding factor. My opinion isn't a technical, political, or philosophical argument, it's just my experience so far.

Your Mileage May Vary.

Answer 5

I have tried both from my HD CATV box and seen a slight difference doing A/B comparisons.

But neither one jumps out as being 'better'.

My component inputs have been calibrated using a DVD player and Digital Video Essentials. But the DVI input has not. I suspect the differences are simply because of different brightness/contrast settings.

If you are cabling a new system - my advice is to use HDMI. As Han pointed out, there are issues, politics, etc., with HDMI - but it is the future. The cabling is simpler, cheaper and it is becoming more and more standardized.

Answer 6

Mlsgeorge must be from the old school days when his answer made sense. But were in a digital age... With the Key word being "DIGITAL".

HDMI is so far superior to component.

I could get technical but I think I've already made my point.


OK HAN why should I have to go tech on you.

Why should I take a digital format and convert it to analog so my TV will just have to convert it back to digital. And why and or how will this make anything better.

Just to make sure the playing field is fair... Lets say the HDMI source is something of quality and not some $50.00 upscaling DVD player.

And I'm going to have to bring my Video Tech in on this. He's a SMPTE tech. You know... like the guys who dial in the studio monitors.

PPS: Then you know Johns going to be in Long Beach tomorrow and so will I. And I'll be sure to ask him what he thinks of this Question. I'll just print out a copy of your responce.

And the Level II has only been around for two going on Three Years? So why were you a use to be?

And If you have to ask who John from THX is... Don't bother Answering!

Another Case Of Engineers On Parade. (I KNOW EVERY THING)

Be an expert in your field and listen to experts in there's. Mines Audio. But I made it a point to ask your Video Tech before answering this question. gain He's SMPTE meaning he when to school for years to be an expert in his field. not just some two day weekend seminar. AKA ISF

I see why some people are saying Component.
Your asking if the user of a HIghend DVD player, Set top box, PC. if you have HDMI then it simply YES.

If you don't have HDMI and the only output you have is Component. Then why is this question even being asked?

If you have a Bul-ray or an HD-DVD then HDMI is for you. (READ hdtvjunie's Resounce)

So In the end HDMI is better if you have the choice

Answer 7

Arguably HDMI as it keeps the data digital rather than analogue; in reality you probably wouldnt notice the difference.

Newer versions of HDMI such as 1.3a support more advance features, such as 1080p/24 and upconversion of regular dvds (which most players block over component).

Answer 8

personally for my home projector system i have always prefered component as the signal over a longer distance from my sources to projector always gets lost at around 6 to 8 meters.component also gives me the ability to keep the audio seperate.if the signal breaks up with digital it is lost and i never get that problem with component.also pluging lots of devices to one component cable is easier too.

Answer 9

HDMI every time unless this is a high end component source.

Answer 10

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