Composite vs HDMI

[kw2957]

Hey guys,

I'll be upgrading one of my standard D10 receivers to an HD DVR this Summer and I wanted to know about the Composite video vs HDMI issue. I have an HD-Ready 52" TV and I know it's a bit odd, but it doesn't have an HDMI or DVI input. It has A/V, composite video, S-video, and coaxial inputs. I'm guessing that Composite will be my best bet for the best quality picture. So, being in my situation, would this be a big issue, HD-input wise??

Also, what connection do you use for your HD? Do you prefer HDMI/DVI or composite???

Thanks in advance.

[tfederov]

I believe you mean component (red, blue, & green connectors). Of your choices component would be your best bet.

I use HDMI for my TVs that are not using an A/V receiver and component for the ones that do. The reason is my receivers don't have HDMI and I can't justify upgrading right now. I really can't see much of a difference at all between the two connections except I have more wires (for sound) with my component connections vs the one for HDMI.

[kw2957]

I believe you mean component (red, blue, & green connectors). Of your choices component would be your best bet.

I use HDMI for my TVs that are not using an A/V receiver and component for the ones that do. The reason is my receivers don't have HDMI and I can't justify upgrading right now. I really can't see much of a difference at all between the two connections except I have more wires (for sound) with my component connections vs the one for HDMI.

Thanks for that info.!

[machavez00]

someday, hopefully never, if DirecTV turns on HDCP, we'll all need HDMI connections.

[randyk47]

I use component connections in my home theater and family room setups. The main reason is the receivers in both of those rooms are not HDMI and I prefer switching the source through the receiver. I don't know if that's somehow degrading the visual experience but it works. I do use the HDMI connections in the craftsroom setup but I'm not running surround sound in that room right now so the receiver in there is only for music. I spend most the time and money on the theater setup but can't quite bring myself to dump the barely two year old Yamaha just because it doesn't have HDMI connections.

[BattleZone]

someday, hopefully never, if DirecTV turns on HDCP, we'll all need HDMI connections.

And this is the real issue.

The content providers, not DirecTV (or Dish or Comcast, etc.) control the ability to view HD content in HD. They do not want their content to be captured and taken out of the authorized transmission/display chain.

One way they can do that is to implement digital copy protection via HDCP. This is a 2-way protocol that requires all devices in the chain to be HDCP complaint. It is only for digital connections, meaning most HDMI and some DVI connections.

Component is analog, not digital, so HDCP isn't possible on a component connection. For this reason, virtually all HDTV source devices must include the ability for the content providers to limit the resolution of non-HDCP connections.

Currently, "up-converting" DVD players will upconvert to 1080i/p resolutions over HDMI, but the component outputs are limited to 480p. The analog component outputs on DirecTV receivers can also be selectively forced to 480p; if the content providers choose to turn that on, DirecTV (and other providers) have to have built-in programming to observe that restriction.

None of the content providers are doing this at the moment because there are still plenty of non-HDCP HDTVs in use, but over the next couple of years, expect to see more and more resolution "throttling" on non-HDCP connections. Content providers call this the "analog hole" in the current copy proteciton scheme, and they want it gone. And, sooner or later, they'll get their way.

[Tom Robertson]

Kw2957, welcome to the forums! :welcome_s

IIP says it very well. Because of some older TVs I must use component today. When I install anything new, I go HDMI as much as possible. (All new TVs I buy will have multiple HDMI inputs.)

(One other tidbit, Blu-ray will discourage component outputs starting in 2010.)

Cheers,
Tom