I am buying a HDTV and the salesman suggested buying a HDMI cable. Is that needed to watch hdtv?

Question

I am buying a HDTV and the salesman suggested buying a HDMI cable. Is that needed to watch hdtv?

Answer 1

There are two standard way to watch HD: HDMI or component.

With a composite cable (red, white, yellow) you cannot have a HD picture.

Most people say HDMI is better and most of the time it's true.

If both your cable box/DVD player/blu ray player, etc.. and your TV have HDMI connections, you should go with HDMI.

You can get a cable that will work perfectly for very cheap (like $4 instead of $100) from monoprice.com, as long as you don't buy one much above 6 ft.

Answer 2

You only need a HDMI (or component) cables if you are hooking a HD video source to your HDTV.

Examples:  HD cable box, HD satellite box, Blu-Ray player, Tivo HD.

If you are connecting your HDTV directly to an antenna or cable system, a HDMI cable will not do you any good.

Like wise, if you hook your TV up to an analog source like a VCR, a HDMI cable will not do anything for you either.

TV cables tend to be over priced in stores. Monoprice.com has a reputation for having good cables at very reasonable prices.

If you find this confusing, I suggest adding the details about what program sources you plan on using to your question.

Answer 3

Partly true.

HDMI or the older DVI cable will carry HD. HD-bandwidth component cables will carry HD.

Nothing else (not s-video, not composite, not rf).