Only have one HDMI input on HD-TV, should it belong to cable box or upscalling DVD player?

Question

My TV only has one HDMI input and several component inputs. Due to my XBOX taking up my final component input, I needed to get an HDMI cable for one of my other toys. The problem is I can hook up the upscalling dvd player using the HDMI cable or alternatively i can use the HDMI cable to hook up my HD cable box. Which do you think is the better option here? I dont think i'll miss much by using regular component cables on the dvd player since its not bluray or hd, whereas I do have hd channels on my cable box....Thoughts?

Answer 1

I'd put the upscaling DVD player on the HDMI port, and the cable box on component.

Component video is perfectly capable of carrying an HD signal up to 1080i (it can do 1080p - if the device and TV allow it, but most just want you to use HDMI for that.)  If you have a 1080p TV, then it makes sense to use the DVD player on the HDMI port, and have it configured to output a 1080P signal.  This is because the upscaling chip in your DVD player is usually better than the one in your TV.  (remember, your 1080p TV will upscale EVERYTHING to 1080p anyways - regardless of whether it's already in HD or not.)

TV, meanwhile, is only using 720p for the vast majority of the HD channels out there.  I think I get 1 TV channel in 1080i but the rest of them are 720p.  So, it's OK to use the component cables for this.

Or, you could just get a HDMI switch.

Monoprice carries some very inexpensive HDMI switches.  I have one that I use to connect my game consoles, and DVD player.  Cost me $30 - much cheaper than those $150-300 deals you see in the stores, and is just as effective.

http://monoprice.com

Good for HDMI cables too!

Answer 2

an optional hdmi hub can slove your problem.

Answer 3

I agree with you. The set-top box provides true HD content and you use it every day, so I would use HDMI with the set-top box.

Your TV can upscale SD content just fine. So use component from your player (say at 480p) and I doubt you can see the difference.

Answer 4

You have two options.

Option one: Get a A/B switch for you HDMI cable or get one for your componet input.

Option two: Connect your cable box to your DVD player then the DVD player to your tv. Keep your DVD player set on HDMI input and then you can watch cable and if you want to watch a DVD just pop in a DVD.