what's the difference in terms of hardware(cables) and quality
2007-11-30 13:51:10 · 5 answers · asked by gibsongtar101 3 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Home Theater
Hi. HDMI is a digital Video and Audio Connection. Component Video is a purely analogue video connection. Quality wise there is no difference between the two connections
EDIT....Digital does not always imply better image quality in the case of a video connection.There are significant differences in the way digital and analogue signals are handled that are heavily dependant upon the characteristics of the Source device and the Display rather than the type of video connection in use.
2007-11-30 14:52:29 · answer #1 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some people will say there is no difference in video quality, but on a 42 inch or larger set that is 1080p there is definitely a difference. Add to that the fact that component video is analog and is susceptible to signal interference from RF and electrical sources while HDMI is not as it is a pure digital signal. The other difference is that HDMI also carries audio and other than using 3 or 4 pairs of analog audio cables for multi-channel output, the new audio formats used by HD DVD and Blu-Ray such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master HD as well as PCM Uncompressed sound the 6-8 analog cables or HDMI are the only ways to get those formats as they will not work over optical or coax connections.
My receiver does not have HDMI connectivity so I use 6 analog cables to enjoy DolbyTrueHD and Uncompressed sound from HD DVD and Blu-Ray while the HDMI runs straight to my plasma tv.
2007-12-02 14:38:53 · answer #2 · answered by GH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Others are right re. relative quality. But one caveat ... component is actually better at long distances than HDMI. And there is an important additional wrinkle consumers need to be cognizant of: HDCP (High-bandwidth digital copy protection, See link 1).
It isn't fully active yet but once it is you won't get more than 540p (and usually 480p) out of an analog connection and with HDMI if both devices (e.g. HDTV, HD DVD or Blu-ray player, A/V receiver) connected are not HDCP compliant, you will get nothing (no signal). So, in essence HDMI will be the only way to get HD ... which is why it is important to buy HDCP compliant devices now and expect to have to connect them with HDMI at some future date (probably 2-3 years).
BTW, HDMI cables do not -- for most uses -- need to be top quality. $10 cables from Monoprice.com will perform identically to Monster ($100-$200) at distances under 6' and at resolutions up to 1080p (See link 2)
2007-12-01 03:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by agb90spruce 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general you want to go with HDMI.
The cable is cheaper, carries audio & video in 1 cable.
Another issue: televisions have to convert analog signals from component cables into digital for internal processing. This is much simpler if you feed digital signals to a TV with a HDMI cable than with component cables.
2007-12-01 04:13:53 · answer #4 · answered by Grumpy Mac 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
HDMI - digital cable format that transmits up to 1080p video and 8.1 surround sound audio.
Component - analog cable format that transmits up to 1080i video and no audio.
It's difficult to tell the difference in quality. If you look closely, HDMI will be the better choice because it is digital.
2007-11-30 18:42:42 · answer #5 · answered by techman2000 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋