Component vs. HDMI - which one is better?

polkatese

I am reading this on AVS Forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=716715&highlight=component+vs++hdmi

and curious if anyone here compared these two methods of connecting your Plasma/LCD/RPTV/DLP to source (including HD=DVD and/or BR)?

So, does it looks like the difference is more along: unnoticeable (no difference) to slight, if any?

disneyjoe7

I tried both for my Plasma TV I like the HDMI better so this is what I use.

shack

Tried both - no discernable difference on my rig (Denon 1910 and 52" Panasonic RPT). I sent the HDMI back and I now use the component cables I already had.

polkatese

interesting! HDMI is overhyped? and shouldn't be the reason to upgrade, then?

disneyjoe7

HDMI is digital input where Component is analog, not apples to apples.

polkatese

granted, but the judgement call is straight forward: can you say the picture quality is better (for you) or not? now, with HDMI 1.3 audio 5.1, the scale will tip for HDMI (the simplicity of the cablings)

disneyjoe7

Picture is Better Darker blacks, sharper, overall better picture. I use a optical for audio output this goes to my AVR the HDMI goes to my TV.

shack

Kinda like the analog vs digital audio cables. In the end it is simply the quality of the picture that matters. As with all things AV, try it see what you like and go with it. I could tell little or no difference so I could not justify the $80 for the HDMI (in fact I probably liked the pic with the component better - but I chalked that up to familiarity). Maybe there would be more difference with a plasma vs my RPTV.

disneyjoe7

It was not a difference like day and night, but an edge to HDMI for me. I did think maybe it was the difference with a plasma vs a RPTV also.

univera

polkatese wrote:

granted, but the judgement call is straight forward: can you say the picture quality is better (for you) or not? now, with HDMI 1.3 audio 5.1, the scale will tip for HDMI (the simplicity of the cablings)

PT or anyone else, can you elaborate a bit on the HDMI 1.3? I am not familiar with it. What's the difference between that and standard HDMI?

izafar

If you have fixed pixel display and your source can produce a signal that matches your display's resolution then HDMI will always be better. If you have CRT based RPTV then you wouldn’t see much difference.

polkatese

univera, here is a good link on HDMI:

http://hdmi.org/

It gives you what's coming down the pipeline on HDMI 1.3 I think most gears out there are still on 1.1 spec, there are a couple ultra-high end Pre/Pro that are available with 1.3

unc2701

On a CRT I couldn't tell much diff HDMI vs component, except that the HDMI was really bitchy & you had to turn on the components in a certain order.

Sami

shack wrote:

I could tell little or no difference so I could not justify the $80 for the HDMI

I couldn't either but I decided to keep the HDMI cables for simplicity as they only cost me $35 for a pair of 30footers. I wouldn't spend much money on HDMI cables, afterall it's a digital signal.

MSALLA

I used HDMI from my hd box to the TV. The picture was only slightly better, but on non-digital channels, I could only see in the square ratio. (man I just drew a blank on the number)

TheReaper

4:3 squared is 16:9

Sherardp

if youre using HD DVD or Blu Ray, HDMI will give you best audio/video. I asked the same question and was told this on another forum.