HDMI and Component question .. ??

Question

is there any difference between using 1080i with component cables and 1080i with HDMI cable ?? or is HDMI mostly just for 1080p ??

my tv only supports up to 1080i max.

let me know, thanks

Answer 1

I don't notice a difference between component/hdmi when displaying interlaced.

Answer 2

As others have said HDMI and Component are equivalent (under different circumstances either can give better results than the other) in terms of their ability to carry up to 1080i video (although Component can technically carry 1080p it is artificially limited to 1080i). See the article at the link.

However, there is a caveat on this. Studios, hardware manufacturuers and government have collectively made the future for analog connections of HD video questionable. While not yet fully implemented HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, 2nd Link) will, within the next couple of years (2010), make it impossible to connect an HD signal other than through HDMI (and DVI). Any analog connection will either not work at all or only carry a downgraded sub-HD signal. So, in the short run you can use either cable where HDCP doesn't prevent it (e.g. many upconverting DVD players), but in the future may need to switch to HDMI.

Note that HDMI has one big advantage --- a single cable carries both the audio and the video.

Finally, you don't need to buy expensive HDMI cables. See the last link, but in essence, for normal short (<10 ft) connections a $10 budget cable will work as well as a $100+ high end (e.g. Monster) cable.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

HDMI is sometimes better - but not because of the cable, it's the TV.

"Component" cables carry analog signals.  Your TV has to digitize this for internal use. This is an expensive/difficult thing to do well and many budget televisions take short cuts that can be visible.

The digital signal on a HDMI cable is a much easier job for the televison to handle.

PRICE:

10 ft HDMI cable:  $38

10 ft HD rated Component Cable: $68

(Prices are from BlueJeans - my favorite budget cable site).

So HDMI is 'better' for these 2 reasons.

Answer 4

there is a difference the hdmi is the best hook up for hd tv with the red/blue/green colorstream cables being 2nd for picture quality.if you are not recieving a hi def signal the component cables work fine.

Answer 5

HDMI can be used for 480p, 1080i, 720p, or 1080p.

You may or may not be able to see much of difference vs component and in some cases component may even be better (less noise).  If you have component cables, just use them and don't worry too much.  Component has been used by video pros for years.