Re: HDTV Connection

MarkM wrote: 
There are a lot of different connection options for HDTV's.  I know I want
the standard stuff and S-video and component, but what about DVI and HDMI.
Which is required for connection to DirecTV?  Is one a new standard that
isn't always available, but if I want future compatibility, I should get?

thanks,

mark

First, composite and S-Video connections will not carry the HD TV signal. To get HD from your satellite, cable, or external ATSC tuner box, you must use component, DVI, or HDMI connections (or VGA if so equipped). HDMI - High Definition Multi-media Interface - is the new standard digital connector. It is a superset of DVI which carries digital audio (DVI is video only, has a smaller connector, and provides for a growth path with 10-bit video and communications between A/V gear (see www.hdmi.org for the PR stuff). Yo can get a DVI to HDMI adapter cable so if a TV has a DVI port (with HDCP) you can connect a HDMI set top box to the TV.

I don't have DirectTV, but I would venture that the vast majority of HD subscribers use a component cable to the TV, not digital.

Because of increasing copy protection concerns, it is expected that most if not all upcoming HD-DVD and Blu-Ray HD disk players will only play HD through the digital connector. Which by then will likely be mostly HDMI on their boxes. The component will probably only provide 480p. So, if you are getting a new HD TV, I would recommend you get one with at least 1 HDMI port. DVI should work, but does not provide for a growth path. Two HDMI ports would be better, but few TVs have those at the moment (new chip sets in the works should change that).

BTW, if your TV has a built-in ATSC tuner or cable card slot, then the RF cable from the antenna or cable outlet is the HD input source, so the RF is a valid HD connector as well.

 Alan F
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: dual monitors on a laptop
    ... Actually, DVI is disappearing from the HDTV scene, replaced by HDMI. ... HDMI simply uses a different connector and includesd additional pins for the audio and video to both be carried and connected in a single cable/connector. ...
    (comp.sys.laptops)
  • Re: Question on DVI / HDMI...
    ... HDMI & DVI are equal, as they both pass a pure digital signal, here is what ... > component video connections. ... > My Cox Communications STB, made by Motorola, has an HDMI connector ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
  • Re: How do I get a full screen through my TVs VGA input?
    ... 10880i over DVI or HDMI however the SXRD may accept 1080p over HDMI since ... The card that TriggerFinger linked to has a DVI-I connector not a HDMI ... to VGA or DVI to Component adapter avialble for that card which would meant ... I probably didn't explain everything about my video card. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: Question on DVI / HDMI...
    ... >HDMI & DVI are equal, as they both pass a pure digital signal, here is what ... >> component video connections. ... >> My Cox Communications STB, made by Motorola, has an HDMI connector ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
  • Re: HDMI Switch Question
    ... accepted as our current standard. ... I agree with your first and last points but the HDMI ... connector is not better, only smaller, and lacks effective ... locking or physical security features. ...
    (alt.tv.tech.hdtv)
Loading