Re: Walmart says get best picture, after AVI, with component hookup

On 7/16/2007 5:23 AM, GeorgeB wrote:
On Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:27:58 -0500, Bernie <bernie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

A simpler way of saying that is that video connections, from best to worst are:
HDMI
DVI
Component
S-video
Composite
RF

Aren't the HDMI, DVI, and component in fact identical in quality? It
is my understanding that HDMI takes the component video signals and
electrical SPDIF audio and puts them in one connector adding HDCP
rights management that makes it not work well with some systems. Also,
I understood that DVI is substantially component in one connector.
Neither component nor DVI include audio.

DVI and HDMI are both digital video and are equivalent. HDMI includes the sound in the same connector, DVI does not include the sound so you need to carry the sound via another set of wires and connectors. If you have the HDMI option you should generally take that over DVI. HDMI cables can be expensive in stores that insist on selling high-priced Monster brand cables, but you can get perfectly good HDMI cables at many, many places on the internet for very modest prices. With digital signals they either work or don't work.

Component video is the next best choice. There are a variety of opinions as to whether there is any observable difference between HDMI/DVI video vs component video. It may possibly vary by TV, by brand of TV, and by the source of the signal. Reports always indicate that the difference between HDMI/DVI and component is small. But HDMI requires one narrow cable and component requires three cables plus audio. For many installations that is another thing that makes HDMI a better choice.

Bernie
.

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