If I use component cables for blu-ray instead of HDMI is it 1080I or is it downscaled?

Question

My Mitsubishi widescreen only has the Component input, can I still get a 1080i signal from blu-ray or do I need a HDMI connection?

Answer 1

I am not an expert on this issue. But from what I understand you can only get 480p over component cables. Component cables can carry 1080p but the studios will not allow above 480p. It has to do with this whole HDCP. (High definition content protection)

If I remember right, If you try to run blu-ray over component I believe you will be downscaled to 480p. This is an idea indicated by the sudios and I am not exactly sure if it has been implemented yet. I recently read a review for one of the Toshiba HD players and they mentioned they could still view  HDDVD and upscale standard DVDs to 1080i. But the article indicated the idea is to render 1080 and above only over HDMI.

I guess they are affraid people will copy HD disks over analog connections.

This is the reason I have not yet purchesd HDDVD or Blu-Ray. I too, have an older Mitsubishi HDTV which has only component connections. I plan to follow the responses here as I also need to know the truth in the matter.

If I am wrong forgive me.

Answer 2

yes you can still get 1080i...you would most likely need an HDMI cable if you wanted to use it in 1080p

Blu-rays won't play in 1080p with component cables, they are encrypted with HDCP and HDMI/DVI cables are the only ones capable of passing that signal.

Answer 3

You will definitely get 1080i over component, presuming you're playing a disc with HD content, such as a Blu-Ray disc.

Answer 4

Good HD rated component cables can handle everything up to 1080p.  But check your manual. Mitsubishi has some ... gaps in what their TV's will accept.

Answer 5

You can use the component input and get high definition signal including1080i and1080p. HDMI connection is not necessary.

Read the HDMI history part of the following website and you will be surprised at the findings.