How should I....

Grimster74

Hook up my new projector when it arrives? When I ordered the projector it came with a 25' component video cable but I was wondering if I should also run a 25' HDMI cable. I will be using a Denon DVD-3910 but just not sure if the extra 'expensive' purchase of the cable would be worth it. I currently have both HDMI & Comp. running from the 3910 to my Mitsubishi 1080P and to be all out honest with you, I prefer the comp. connection better. I know this is a much debated question but with the projector being a 720P instead of a 1080P, just not sure if I would see a difference or not. Other than the fact of trying both connections, was just wondering if anybody else has similar equipment that they have compaired both connections and could tell me what their final results where? Thanks.

adam2434

You're right, this is a debated topic. For some folks (and their associated equipment) the HDMI will be a significant improvement for DVD, for others it will not. The larger your display (and you fall into the extreme), the more you will notice the limitations of DVD, and in my experience, the more HDMI upconversion may benefit you.

I can personally attest to a significant improvement with HDMI upconversion in my system (see signature). For me, the HDMI upconversion is smoother with fewer digital artifacts ( for example, jaggies sp?) and there is less noise/grain. What this means is that I'm not distracted by these artifacts with the HDMI upconversion. Basically, I think this means that the scaling in the DVD player is better than the scaling in the PJ. But this would vary depending on you equipment.

In my experience, the HDMI interface is not responsible for any improvement, but rather it's the upconversion process. I say this because when I switch back and forth between HDMI and component with high def cable, I do not think I can see a difference. Bottom line, component would do a fine job of carrying the signal, it's just that you can't get the upconverted signal from most DVD players through component.

The only way for you to know is if you try it. It's easy to switch back an forth on the fly to determine if you see an improvement with HDMI. You could always return the HDMI cable. I ran component and HDMI from bluejeanscable.com. The HDMI was around $100-120 for 30 ft, and the quality appears to be very good.

Another reason to consider HDMI is that when HD DVD is available, I believe that full HD resolution will only be available from the HDMI output. If you're running your cables through the wall/ceiling, I would run HDMI just to be future-safe.

adam2434

Follow-up to my post above - the 30 ft HDMI cable I bought from bluejeanscable.com was only $80, not $100-120.

Grimster74

Yeah, I placed a order from BJC last night for a 30' HDMI cable. Is it a pretty good quality cable?

Grimster74

I also placed a order on one of these but not from BJC.

http://www2.dvigear.com/hdcoviwapl.html

adam2434

Grimster74 wrote:

I also placed a order on one of these but not from BJC.

http://www2.dvigear.com/hdcoviwapl.html

I had never seen one of those until now. Just curious as to why you plan to use one.

I just used low voltage (open back) boxes and cover plates with large round holes, and made direct connections to the equipment. In my set-up, you can't see the cables coming through the wall at the equipment end because it's behind my rack. One the projector end, it still looks clean with the cables coming directly out of the wall plate, with most of the cable view blocked by the projector and mount anyway.

Regarding the quality of the BJC HDMI cable, the build quality seems good for the money, with heavy/thick wire and solid connectors - much better than the freebie cables that come with some upconverting DVD players. As far as performance goes, I've had no issues with dropouts or compatibility with my PJ, DVD player, and HD cable box. Like I mentioned above, with HD cable, I don't think I can see any difference between the HDMI and BJC component runs - they both look spectacular in HD.

Grimster74

The way my room is setup I have everyhting terminated at the wall. What will happen is at the wall where I connect everything, it will connect at the wall plate but at the projector it will come directly from the wall to the projector. Just make for a nice clean install at the wall so when I sell the house, the buyer just doesn't see wires coming out of a wall.

adam2434

OK, gotcha.

adam2434

Oh, and what pj did you get?

Grimster74

I bought the Sanyo PLV-Z4, 720P projector, just waiting for its arrival today.

adam2434

Cool, solid choice, everything I've read has been positive. I'd definitely be looking at your Sanyo and the Panasonic 900 if I were buying now. The Panasonic and Sanyo models have been pushing the envelope for LCD projectors over the last couple years. The performance you can get these days for around $2000 is amazing.