HDMI or Component?

[Tubby]

For those serious, anal, video types that have actually tested both cables; which cable do you prefer for the best VIDEO quality?

Todd

 

[majorloser]

HDMI/DVI is a better form of video transmission. I just hate the connectors with HDMI and wish they were more secure like DVI, D-Sub15 RGB (VGA) or 5-part RGB component using BNC connectors.

 

[jonnythan]

What about those of us who have tested both but can't tell the difference?

 

[Seth=L]

The biggest problem with component isn't itself, it is the BS surrounding it. Once HDCP compliance hits full drive you will be stuck with HDMI and DVI interfaces and whatever proceeds those interfaces. I like component, it just can stand up against HDCP compliance.

 

[Hi Ho]

I actually prefer the image provided by component over HDMI. I think it is smoother and more film like while HDMI often seems to have more noise and jagged edges. That is with broadcast cable. I honestly don't see much of a difference at all (if any) when using an HD-DVD player. I still cannot stand the rediculous HDMI connectors that constantly fall out on their own.

 

[Tubby]

What about those of us who have tested both but can't tell the difference?

I forgot that option but couldn't edit the poll. I tried to have the moderators delete this poll as I created another initially with that option and they deleted the wrong one. D'oh!

 

[rgriffin25]

I think it depends more on the equipment than the type of cable. I have seen it go both ways, I use HDMI with my HT.

 

[tarcher]

Your help is needed PLEASE????

Hey Please Help me!!

I have HDMI on my JVC DVD SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM and DVI on my Sony Trinitron Wega Hd Ready TV. I currently use a component hookup.

Question:

If I were to purchase a HMDI DVI combo cable would that improve my system?

Please advise I know NOTHING about audio things. But let me work on TAXES than I'm at home ...

Thanks in advance!!

 

[j_garcia]

I just compared HDMI to Component on my PS3. They look pretty much the same, with a slight edge going to HDMI. HDMI is simpler and surprisingly less expensive than component, so I would have to say HDMI.

 

[stratman]

HDMI for one reason, less cables. Picture wise IMHO they're about the same, I guess it depends on your equipment.

 

[goodman]

I just compared HDMI to Component on my PS3. They look pretty much the same, with a slight edge going to HDMI. HDMI is simpler and surprisingly less expensive than component, so I would have to say HDMI.

What display are you using? What software are you displaying? I ask because I am having a devil of a time trying to get a high resolution picture from my PS3. I do not have a digital connection on my receiver or display, so I have tried three different component cables, and they all look dull and washed-out when playing "Superman Returns". I think the resolution is low, too (my display will not display the resolution on the PS3 even though it displays the resolution from my cable box and DVD player. I get a much better picture using the composite cable that came with the PS3.

 

[j_garcia]

I have a Sony 34" 16:9 CRT. I used a component cable from the PS2 (Sony) for the PS3 and it worked fine. HDMI looked a little cleaner with video, games look the same. I used the Blu Ray versions of Sleepy Hollow and Kingdom of Heaven. Sleepy Hollow had more detail and great color, but didn't blow me away. Kingdom of Heaven looked and sounded great.

What display are you using? Did you adjust your video settings when switching cables? Mine looked odd at first too, but once I switched it to 720p it looked great with component.

 

[goodman]

I'm using a Sharpvision XVZ-9000U front projector with a native resolution of 720P. I don't think it has a resolution setting such as the one you describe. Usually, it just displays whatever resolution I am feeding it (E.G., it displays 480P from my DVD player. If I set my cable box to 1080i, it displays 1080i. If I set the cable box to 720P, the display will tell me it is displaying 720P). However, I will check the display to be sure.
Does your Sony CRT tell you the resolution it is displaying?

 

[j_garcia]

No, the CRT doesn't tell me, it just displays them all (except 1080p?) When you setup HDMI, it checks to see what is the highest your display is capable of, and it came back with 1080i on mine.

You have to go into the display settings in the PS3 and set the output type and resolution, which would be 720p in your case, and since the projector is 720 native I don't see why it wouldn't work. To do the initial setup, you have to use composite because that is what it defaults to, but as soon as I switched to component, I could tell the difference right away. Resistance in 720p looks pretty impressive.

Was Superman the BD verson or DVD version? The PS3 does not upconvert standard DVDs to 720p, so they will still play at 480p AFAIK.

 

[tlqualman]

I have tried both on my system and the component cables work better as far as artifacts and picture quality go. The test was done between my Samsung HD/Sat reciever and my TV. The HDMI was good but the component cables just work better. I still have an analog TV ( 64" Pioneer Elite PRO730HDI ) and do not have HDMI on my DVD player so don't know if it would be any different if I tried other equiptment.

 

[j_garcia]

I noticed with a Comcast cable box and a Samsung TV that component looked better than HDMI too, so I'm sure the actual component and what it is sending will make a difference. Note too that you may have to check your display's calibration for each connection type to ensure you are comparing them properly.

 

[goodman]

No, the CRT doesn't tell me, it just displays them all (except 1080p?) When you setup HDMI, it checks to see what is the highest your display is capable of, and it came back with 1080i on mine.

You have to go into the display settings in the PS3 and set the output type and resolution, which would be 720p in your case, and since the projector is 720 native I don't see why it wouldn't work. To do the initial setup, you have to use composite because that is what it defaults to, but as soon as I switched to component, I could tell the difference right away. Resistance in 720p looks pretty impressive.

Was Superman the BD verson or DVD version? The PS3 does not upconvert standard DVDs to 720p, so they will still play at 480p AFAIK.

Whoops. I managed to miss the video output settings. The PS3 came up with 1080i with my display. I am still not satisfied, but the brightness and contrast have improved. Tomorrow, I will see if I can switch the video display setting to 720P to match the native resolution of the display. That may make a difference, but I'm not certain that it will, because switching from 1080I to 720P makes no discernable difference with my Scientific Atlanta 8300HD. If I cannot obtain a significant improvement over what I'm getting now with 1080i, I intend to return the PS3.

To answer your question, I'm using the B-D version of Superman Returns and also tried Flightplan in B-D. I will also rent the 480P version of Superman Returns and A-B test it with the B-D version.

 

[WeAreSurrounded]

Both look almost the same to me. With HDMI you have audio too.
But since I have only one HDMI input in my plasma, I use both kind of connections from different sources (incl. HDMi swiching receiver).
I absolutely hate (!) the HDMI connectors and the design of the HDMI sockets in the equipment. It's very hard to connect them "blindly" (if you don't have good access ,e.g. in the cabinet) and this damn thing (connector) scratches the back odf whatever you connect it too, before you're successful. And even then you can not be sure it will stay there - they have the tendency fo easy disengagement.
Not like components which are really tight and reliable connections.

 

[j_garcia]

Yep, I actually like the DVI connectors better than HDMI. Still a pain if you have limited space though.

 

[jonnythan]

Both look almost the same to me. With HDMI you have audio too.
But since I have only one HDMI input in my plasma, I use both kind of connections from different sources (incl. HDMi swiching receiver).
I absolutely hate (!) the HDMI connectors and the design of the HDMI sockets in the equipment. It's very hard to connect them "blindly" (if you don't have good access ,e.g. in the cabinet) and this damn thing (connector) scratches the back odf whatever you connect it too, before you're successful. And even then you can not be sure it will stay there - they have the tendency fo easy disengagement.
Not like components which are really tight and reliable connections.

I think the HDMI guys really screwed up big time on the connector. It would have been trivial to add small clips to the side of the HDMI connector to secure it, the same way cell phone and iPod cables do.