HDMI connection compared to Component

[mjm76]

I was wanting some feedback from people on this forum that use the HDMI connection on a 50 inch or larger HDTV. My question is this. Has anyone been using the component hook up and then have switched to the HDMI connection? I was wondering how much the HDMI connection will improve the picture quality? I have been considering purchasing an HDTV with the HDMI connection for hopefully a better picture but I am wondering if it worth it or not.

Thanks for any information.

[Richard]

viewtopic.php?t=4469

Beyond that to potentially fully benefit from a digital video connection would require a digital display.

What display are you considering? Are you simply trying to improve your DVD player or does this include HD?

[mjm76]

I currently have a 51 inch Hitachi CRT that has only component. I have the Sony HD300 receiver that has a DVI connection but unfortunately I can not take advantage of it since my TV only has component inputs. It sounds like from what the link you provided me that a DVI connection on my CRT would not improve the picture, correct? In the future(6 months to 1 year) I hope to upgrade to a Plasma TV with a HD DVR to record my HD programs. From what I have read it seem to me that HDMI was the way to go but I was not sure. Your info has helped me learn some more about DVI/HDMI. Now the only thing that I need to wait on is a couple of more HD DVRs to come onto the market and the prices to drop and also from what I am reading it sounds like Plasm is improving all the time and the prices are dropping so that is worth waiting for. What type of technology do I need to look for in a Plasma TV to avoid burn in? My son and I play video games on our Hitachi and we would continue to do so on the Plasma.

Thanks again for the info.

[Richard]

You appear to have it all in hand except for the display.

In the future(6 months to 1 year) I hope to upgrade to a Plasma TV

Rather than plasma I would suggest LCD especially with your gaming habits. Unfortunately those are pricey at the moment but production and pixel speed wil be ramping up for even faster response times with greater volume at lower prices.

That is one reason to wait for your application and on top of that there are a number of new technologies coming to market with even greater claims of cost versus performance. There is so much shaking out in flat panel technology and 720P versus 1080P that it's difficult to get a pulse on what is the best recommendation for a long term great display scenario.

Regardless, if you have the $$ and want it now rather than later the new generation LCDs are very effective for casual viewing/semi-videophile applications and I would recommend one for a general purpose media center application in a heartbeat! Only a critical viewing application would make me pause...

[mjm76]

Richard,
I have been reading up on the Samsung 56 inch DLP 1080p
http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/DLPT ... ifications

This seems like a great set for HDTV viewing and XBOX gaming. I was wanting your opinion on it. I am still leaning toward a plasma TV but have recently did some research on this TV and it seems like a great choice for my HDTV viewing and gaming. Didn't you post something about not being able to calibrate these sets? 3 big pluses with this set for me would be no burn in with gaming..... a PC connection and also 2 HDMI connections(not many sets have two HDMI connections).

Thanks for any information that you can give me.

[Richard]

If you are looking for a critical viewing application it will not work because some of the calibration parameters were removed. This can be corrected with a Lumagen external scaler, add $1000.

For videophiles it is on the cusp.

For casual viewers go get one.

At this time we are stuck because all current digital RPTV suffer from a lack of one control or another to create an accurate response but we can still certainly improve the response. Calibration recommended!

The newest one we are getting a handle on are the Sony SXRD 1080P RPTV and we are hopeful it will have all the controls for an accurate response.

[mjm76]

As always thanks for the great information.

I would like to recommend something that may help inform people that visit this forum. Since you use these terms a lot I would suggest that you define them in the Video Dictionary section of this forum. I feel this would help people to understand more about HDTV viewing. The terms I feel need to be defined or explained are:

Critical viewing Application

Videophile

Casual viewer

These are thrown around a lot on these forums and in my opinion need to be defined or explained.

Thanks again.

Mike

[Richard]

I have added those terms to the dictionary.

As for your question...

Waveform 05 Casual Viewer, Videophile or Critical Viewer?
viewtopic.php?t=5345



Let me know if there is anything else...

Thanks

[Richard]

I should have also added due to the way things have been going quality 720P FPTV is available for roughly the same price and in most cases out perform one piece displays.

If you have such a room the aditional expense would naturally be in getting it setup for this application.

Seems this is going to be my next display purchase... Samsung FPTV ala Joe Kane! Just gotta get that room project started!

[rockhard]

What display are you considering? Are you simply trying to improve your DVD player or does this include HD?

I use both a DVD upscaling Samsung HD-950 and my Rogers SA HD8300 PVR with HDMI out to my DVI-D input ( Monster HDMI > DVI-D adapter ) on my Hitachi TX-100 720P 110" display.

I used to have both connected with a Canarie custom component cable and was quite satisfied with the PQ of my display . Since upgrading to a custom 10m ULTRALINK Platinum PRO Mark II HDMI cable I have noticed a sharper cleaner better resolved picture .

http://www.ultralinkcables.com/index2.html