hdmi video question

[EddieG]

If my TV is 720p does it matter if I use an HDMI v1.3 cable or is an older HDMI cable OK? This is for video ONLY, not sound. From what I can tell the only difference between the different HDMI versions is added sound support.

Thanks!

p.s. Can anyone here really tell a difference in video between HDMI and component?

 

[TLS Guy]

If my TV is 720p does it matter if I use an HDMI v1.3 cable or is an older HDMI cable OK? This is for video ONLY, not sound. From what I can tell the only difference between the different HDMI versions is added sound support.

Thanks!

p.s. Can anyone here really tell a difference in video between HDMI and component?

As long as the HDMI cables are of decent quality, either should be fine.

Yes, I can tell a difference between component and HDMI. The other thing is that the regs have changed, and HD devices are no longer allowed to output HD from analog outputs, only HDMI. All analog outputs including component video have to be downgraded to 480i. So we are all stuck!

 

[no. 5]

The other thing is that the regs have changed, and HD devices are no longer allowed to output HD from analog outputs, only HDMI. All analog outputs including component video have to be downgraded to 480i.

When did that happen? Are you referring to the Image Constraint Token? I could have sworn that studios wouldn't be using that until 2012, if at all.

 

[jostenmeat]

No idea when this happened (I joined the AV world very recently), but component can get you up to 480p. Ya know, progressive scan players...

HDCP regulations are what TLS is talking about.

Some folks with older TV's hacked some Oppo 970s to allow it to output at 1080i, the true max rez of component.

This voided the warranty, but the risk is small when compared to the cost of a new display just for the HDMI.

 

[no. 5]

HDCP regulations are what TLS is talking about.

Ahhh, thanks for the clarification.

This does raise a question about implementation, because HT magazine's review of two new Panasonic Blu-ray players reported "1080i/60 output for Blu-ray via component".

 

[jostenmeat]

Ya got me there, no. 5.

I suppose it has to do with the native resolution capabilities of the source. Waiting for someone to educate us.

Do the methods of deinterlacing/scaling allow for easier pirating?

(and thus disallowed on DVD players, but not BD players?).

 

[TLS Guy]

Ahhh, thanks for the clarification.

This does raise a question about implementation, because HT magazine's review of two new Panasonic Blu-ray players reported "1080i/60 output for Blu-ray via component".

As I have said in another post, I think a lot of manufacturers either have old stock, or are ignoring the regs. Sony seem to think the regs don't apply to them.

Netflix have been forced by legal action, to make their HD video downloads only viewable form HDCP compatible connections, that means HDMI.

 

[BMXTRIX]

There are any number of regulatations, but they are not specific across all formats.

HDTV (cable/satellite/fios) - All resolutions up to 1080i are supported over component video connection. This includes 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i.

Blu-ray Disc - Resolutions up to 1080i are supported over component video. Similar to cable, this includes 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. The native format on most Blu-ray Disc titles is at 1080p, and this is not ALLOWED to be sent over component video, only HDMI.

DVD - 480i and 480p are the only permitted resolutions that can be sent over component video. VGA can support higher resolutions legally, and HDMI can support any resolution. This is almost a stupid regulation as DVD is native 480i on the discs and it is so incredibly easy to copy discs if someone wants to.

Other: I am not familiar with the download options out there, but my AppleTV does not have issues delivering HD over component video.

The future: There is a possibility that Blu-ray Discs will use a copyright flag on discs which prevents the output of video over component video above 540p resolution native. Not sure why it's that resolution, but to date, there are no discs that I'm aware of which have enacted this flag.

 

[EddieG]

Thanks everyone...follow up question:

Like I said, my tv is 720p. I just got my BD55 last night and when I went through the setup options there was a setting to output the signal as 1080p, 1080i, 720p, etc. I know the TV will scale the signal down to 720p (or more realistically 768p) so I'm thinking that if I set the source to 1080i or 1080p and my TV scales it to 768p, than that is BETTER than 720p

Should I set it to 1080i, 1080p or 720p? It is set to 1080i now. My viewing distance from a 50" screen is about 8-10 feet.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks everyone...follow up question:

Like I said, my tv is 720p. I just got my BD55 last night and when I went through the setup options there was a setting to output the signal as 1080p, 1080i, 720p, etc. I know the TV will scale the signal down to 720p (or more realistically 768p) so I'm thinking that if I set the source to 1080i or 1080p and my TV scales it to 768p, than that is BETTER than 720p

Should I set it to 1080i, 1080p or 720p? It is set to 1080i now. My viewing distance from a 50" screen is about 8-10 feet.

Set it to output 720p, since that is the highest native resolution of your TV.

 

[EddieG]

Set it to output 720p, since that is the highest native resolution of your TV.

But isn't the tv's actual resolution 768p? (1,366x768) How much of a NOTICIBLE difference is there between 720p and 768p?

What is the (visual) harm in leaving the source at 1080i and having the TV scale it to 768p as opposed to leaving it at 720p?

 

[billy p]

Don't set the HDMI resolution from the panny to your display at 1080p you won't get a picture. I found that out the hard way. My display is 720p and I suggest that you set the panny using HDMI to auto or 720p using component.

 

[bandphan]

But isn't the tv's actual resolution 768p? (1,366x768) How much of a NOTICIBLE difference is there between 720p and 768p?

What is the (visual) harm in leaving the source at 1080i and having the TV scale it to 768p as opposed to leaving it at 720p?

Options for output doesnt include native? As for harm, none and you probably couldnt notice any differences if they were present. The only way to get 768 on the input is with an outboard scaler, at a price thats not worth it.

 

[EddieG]

Don't set the HDMI resolution from the panny to your display at 1080p you won't get a picture. I found that out the hard way. My display is 720p and I suggest that you set the panny using HDMI to auto or 720p using component.

I don't remember there being an "auto" setting as I am using HDMI for video. I'll re-check and change that setting.

 

[MatthewB.]

The Digital Restraint Token has NOT been implemented yet. I am actually using HD-DVD, PS3 Bluray and my DirctV using component on my older Pioneer Elite RPTV, and I get HD in all it's glory (even with current Blurays like KFP). I also own a Oppo 970 (although not hacked) I called Oppo before ordering and they confirmed that this model does indeed upconvert to 1080i via component (but had to get that on the down low). My pioneer does this thing I call the "hippy-hippy shake" for two seconds when it senses a HD source and sure enough when I put a regular DVD in the Opp, I get the shake. Hopefully studios won't ever use the digital restraint though.

I also own a 768p plasma in my master bedroom and I agree set the TV to it's closest native resolution (which is 720p)