If your tv has 1 hdmi connect should u hook ur hdmi cable to the Hd rec, or the Hdmi dvd player?

Question

If your tv has 1 hdmi connect should u hook ur hdmi cable to the Hd rec, or the Hdmi dvd player?

Answer 1

The only reasons HDMI is becoming popular is it carries both audio and video and it will (eventually) become the only way to connect HD video (analog (e.g. component) willl be cut off or carry only a sub-HD signal).

But HDTV is still (usually) OK via component -- you will get a 1080i signal (all TV is 720p or 1080i) --  while many upconverting DVD players require HDMI to get an HD signal (i.e. component will already only carry a 480p signal).

If that's the case, you would be best to use component (3 RCA cables) to hook up the "HD rec" (assuming that's the HD TV receiver???) since that will give you HD, and use HDMI for the upconverting DVD player.

Otherwise, a) buy an HDMI switch (they cost $60+), b) plug in each device as you want to use it, or c) pick one based on which you use the most.

Answer 2

Buy and HDMI switch and use it to switch between the two sources.  That's what I did.  I got one that I could remotely (rather than manually) switch and I have my Harmony 880 remote set up to do the switching for me when I switch between the HD TiVo and the HD-DVD player.

You can find them with a Yahoo! Search:

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=hdmi+sw...

Until then, I would connect the DVD player with the HDMI, especially if it is an "upscaling" DVD player that translates the 480p DVD picture to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p.  The owner's manual for my player says that it will only send an upconverted signal over HDMI and not component video signals.  Your mileage may vary.

The HD DVR will more than likely send HD signals over component cables.  If, however, there comes a time that the source providers down rez the signal unless sent over HDMI with HDCP, then you may want to switch the roles.

Answer 3

Connect it to whatever you use the most. So probably the set-top box.