Can component AV cable display High Def?

Question

I have a PS3 and a 1080i LCD HDTV. I've been thinking of getting a HDMI cable, but since my TV highest HD resolution is 720P and 1080i, I've been thinking of getting a component AV cable instead. First, I want to know if the component AV cable can output 720P and 1080i resolutions and how better is HDMI in terms of resolutions.

Answer 1

Careful-

"Component Cables" only have to be compatible with 480i signals.  The $15 cables from Wal-Mart are not designed for the higher frequency signals of HD.

Cables with a bandwidht of 90 Mhz or more, or say "HD Rated" on the package can carry all the video signals (including 1080p).

My favorite place for HD rated cables is www.bluejeanscables.com

But consider the price:

A good ten ft component cable is about $61

A good ten ft HDMI cable is about $40

(These are rough BlueJeans prices)

So HDMI tends to be cheaper and it carries audio as well so you don't have the additional wires to deal with.

"HDMI IS BETTER"

No, and Yes.

Look - if you use component cables to the TV, the TV has to convert the signals to digital for internal use. This conversion ... is often a weak spot on cheaper brands of televisions. This shows some artifacts.

HDMI is easier for the TV to deal with so tends to be more artifact free, especially on the lower end televisions.

So HDMI may be a teeny-tiny bit better - but it's because of the TV processing, not the cable.

Answer 2

Yes the component cables will push 720p and 1080i signals.

An HDMI cable is preferred because unlike component cables, it is a digital interface.  Component cables are analog.  This means that when the signal leaves the PS3, which is digital, it must be converted into an analog signal in order for it to pass through the cable.  Then that analog signal must then be converted into a digital signal for your television.  Anytime you convert a signal into something else there is an amount of lossiness.  With an HDMI cable there is no conversion that takes place, thus the signal is more or less the same signal going into your tv that left your PS3.

Answer 3

no problem. component does support only up to 1080i but since your tv has 1080i why spend more on a cable you dont need. by the cheapest one too. a digital signal is all there or not. there is no difference in quality as long as the signal is transferred. save some money :)

Answer 4

If you don't have 1080p you don't need HDMI.  The only way HDMI will look better in non-1080p is if you are running a cheap component cable over a long distance.

HDMI has many problems, and if you have an older TV(which i'm assuming you might b/c it doesn' t have 1080p) there were "handshaking issues" with different versions of HDMI outputs and HDMI cables.  The new TV's have the kinks worked out, but older HDMI inputs have issues.  My 2006 Samsung LCD's HDMI malfunctions with my DVR, but works fine with the HDMI input on my Denon DVD player.  

I don't think you'll be able to tell much if any difference, but if you do upgrade to HDMI....

DON'T BUY AN EXPENSIVE CABLE!!!!

Unlike analog cables, HDMI cable get NO improvement with expense. The digital signal does not degrade like analog signal can with cheap cables.

If you have any further questions, go to AVSforum.com.  They have tons of threads on this topic.