HDTV Question!!!!?

Question

I own an older Sony HDTV. I bought it before the televisions were installing the HDMI technology. I wanted to know if there is any way for my tv to receive a HDMI connection. (Via- converter or some type of upgrade. Or am I just stuck with what I got unless I purchase a new tv. Thank you

Answer 1

You don't have HDMI, and I assume you don't have DVI. There are two issues to consider. The first is performance. At most, HDMI may be noticeably better. In your case, adding converters or whatever is guaranteed to overcome that slight advantage-so stick with Component cables. The second issue is copy protection. Source devices, cable boxes, DVD players Etc. are coming along with HDCP enabled. This means that if they can't output to a TV or Monitor with HDCP capability, they will not output a HD signal. Without HDMI or DVI Digital, you can't work with these devices. So, you have to be careful in what you buy. There's no point in buying a hi def DVD, if it won't output in Hi Def. I know of no legal devices that can overcome this.

Update
This question reminded me of a device I had found previously. It purports to convert HDMI to component while maintaining the HDCP compliant handshake. I'm not a lawyer, so I won't comment on the legality of this device, but it may be one of these devices that suddenly is no longer available if the "DRM police" come to notice it. See the links below. If the sales material is correct, this would solve your problem.

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5282

http://www.curtpalme.com/HDFury.shtm

Answer 2

Ignore the first two responses ... they are wrong.

Unfortunately you can go from component to DVI or HDMI, but not from HDMI or DVI to component. Not that it isn't possible from a technical perpective, but ... since such a device would allow copying of HD digital video it's not legal ... so you won't find a commercial adapter.

You won't be able to connect an HD DVD or Blu-ray player and get HD. You can connect via component directly for now if you can find an upsampling DVD player that outputs HD over component (at least until HDCP kicks in and forces down sampling of analog HD to 480). It's not in effect yet because of situations like yours ... but it's only a matter of a couple of years.

This is yet another example of the hold the studios have on things. I appreciate their concern about piracy of HD video but it forces people to but expensive equipment and junk perfectly good stuff if they want to have HD.

Answer 3

Why don't you just use the component video connections? It's not that much of a downgrade from HDMI, and virtually no different if you use high-end component video cables.

Answer 4

there are adapters in shops go to your local tv/ electrical store i have seen theses my self also have a look online for hdmi to scart for example hope this helps

Answer 5

You can buy addons in the shops