HDMI vs. Component

[SDizzle]

Moderators, I hope I am putting this in the right place? Ok, here goes my setup, and question.

I have an HR22 hooked up via HDMI to my big screen that is a few years old, and is using the only HDMI input on this TV. I have a standard definition DVD player hooked up via component to my TV as well (along with TONS of other stuff that are not important for this question). I have now decided that it is time to make the BluRay jump at least in the family room for now. The manufacturer's website refers to both component inputs as "HD Component Inputs". I am using a Harmony 1000 to simplify things (and make it a WHOLE lot easier on the wife!!!). In order not to complicate things with the Harmony choosing inputs and such, I really want to avoid an HDMI switch.

So, my question is this: Will I experience picture quality that is not as good using component as opposed to HDMI? Which device would be better to have on component or HDMI, HR22 or BluRay player?

I appreciate the input guys, any real life experiences I figured would be a lot better than me buying the BluRay and being disappointed at picture quality using component. Since I use the HR22 daily, I figured it should occupy the 1 HDMI.

[jpitlick]

Moderators, I hope I am putting this in the right place? Ok, here goes my setup, and question.

I have an HR22 hooked up via HDMI to my big screen that is a few years old, and is using the only HDMI input on this TV. I have a standard definition DVD player hooked up via component to my TV as well (along with TONS of other stuff that are not important for this question). I have now decided that it is time to make the BluRay jump at least in the family room for now. The manufacturer's website refers to both component inputs as "HD Component Inputs". I am using a Harmony 1000 to simplify things (and make it a WHOLE lot easier on the wife!!!). In order not to complicate things with the Harmony choosing inputs and such, I really want to avoid an HDMI switch.

So, my question is this: Will I experience picture quality that is not as good using component as opposed to HDMI? Which device would be better to have on component or HDMI, HR22 or BluRay player?

I appreciate the input guys, any real life experiences I figured would be a lot better than me buying the BluRay and being disappointed at picture quality using component. Since I use the HR22 daily, I figured it should occupy the 1 HDMI.

I think the picture quality of HDMI and component are pretty much the same. The real advantage of the HDMI is the ability to pass audio along with the video. I'd stick with the HDMI connected to the HR22. Does your TV support 1080p resolution? If not, you're not going to get the best picture out of the BluRay player anyway.

[mstanka]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that you will only be able to 1080p from the blu-ray via the HDMI.

Like I said I'm not 100% sure. Also there is a technology that CAN prevent HD via anything other than the HDMI cable.

So it is possible that you will only get 480p max if using the coponent cables. (I've not seen this used yet on any movies, but it is possible).

I have 4 HDMI inputs, so for me it is not currectly an issue.

I hope that this helps.
Michael.

[Mertzen]

Well since both of them would go straight to the TV sound wouldn't be a concern. That is a difference since component would only carry stereo if you'd use extra RCAs for sound.
As far PQ I doubt your TV supports 1080p24 which bluray could send so that point is moot.
Try and see if there is any difference,but if there is any it would be very slim.

[jpitlick]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that you will only be able to 1080p from the blu-ray via the HDMI.

Like I said I'm not 100% sure. Also there is a technology that CAN prevent HD via anything other than the HDMI cable.

So it is possible that you will only get 480p max if using the coponent cables. (I've not seen this used yet on any movies, but it is possible).

I have 4 HDMI inputs, so for me it is not currectly an issue.

I hope that this helps.
Michael.

I think you are thinking of HDCP which only comes into play with digital connections (HDMI and DVI). Component is an analog connection. I don't thing HDCP governs the resolution support.

[BattleZone]

IMO, you'd be best off using HDMI for the Blu-Ray player and Component for the DVR. You won't need your DVD player anymore, as your Blu-Ray player is also an upscaling DVD player.

[SDizzle]

Well since both of them would go straight to the TV sound wouldn't be a concern. That is a difference since component would only carry stereo if you'd use extra RCAs for sound.
As far PQ I doubt your TV supports 1080p24 which bluray could send so that point is moot.
Try and see if there is any difference,but if there is any it would be very slim.

I probably will not even hookup RCAs for sound to the TV (I never use the TV speakers), I will use the optical cable to the AV receiver. I appreciate the response.

[SDizzle]

Well since both of them would go straight to the TV sound wouldn't be a concern. That is a difference since component would only carry stereo if you'd use extra RCAs for sound.
As far PQ I doubt your TV supports 1080p24 which bluray could send so that point is moot.
Try and see if there is any difference,but if there is any it would be very slim.

And TV is only 1080i not p.

[SDizzle]

IMO, you'd be best off using HDMI for the Blu-Ray player and Component for the DVR. You won't need your DVD player anymore, as your Blu-Ray player is also an upscaling DVD player.

Oh absolutely, I planned to retire the standard def DVD player....

[theninny]

Depending on the age of the TV, you should have more then one HDMI port. Just hook up the bluray and DVR via HDMI.

-LC

[leeberwhite]

If I recall correctly, 1080p is technically possible via component -older sets may accept even it. However, the players will only output 1080p over HDMI, mostly for copy protection reasons. I seem to remember some players even actually required an HDMI connection to view any Blu-Ray content, but I think that was only the case for early generations of players.

[Bill Broderick]

I'm pretty sure that Blu-ray players won't upconvert standard DVD's unless the player is connected via HDMI.

[jpitlick]

Depending on the age of the TV, you should have more then one HDMI port. Just hook up the bluray and DVR via HDMI.

-LC

The OP stated that they have only one HDMI port because the TV is a few years old.

[SDizzle]

I'm pretty sure that Blu-ray players won't upconvert standard DVD's unless the player is connected via HDMI.

Oh, this is a huge piece of news! Can anyone else comment on this? I of course have MANY standard DVDs....so the upconvert is muy important!!

[PokerJoker]

In your situation I would definitely use the HDMI for the Blu-Ray and use the component for the DVR. Blu-ray will not deliver its full video resolution over component. Copy protection, don'tcha know.

If you are planning to connect the Blu-ray to the HDMI for the picture but use an optical for the sound, be aware that you will not get the full quality surround sound that Blu-ray is capable of, and you may have audio-sync issues too. At best you will get 5.1 Dolby Digital, like a regular DVD player (or your DVR). Or you may get stereo only. You will not get Dolby TrueHD or DTS-MA full uncompressed multichannel. These cannot go across an optical connection.

Bottom line, Blu-ray players work to their full video and audio potential only when used with HDMI via a modern AV receiver. The closer you get to an all-HDMI system, the better it will work. All other connection methods are basically now obsolete.

That's why I just replaced a perfectly functional but obsolete AV system - or actually, three of them. HDMI, or more precisely, the copy protection restrictions of HDCP, made it essential.

By the way, HDMI switches actually can work pretty well. I don't know about the cheap monoprice one, but the Radiient I have works perfectly with my harmony remote. Oppo makes a good one too.

keith

[DiSH Defector]

Also there is a technology that CAN prevent HD via anything other than the HDMI cable.

So it is possible that you will only get 480p max if using the coponent cables. (I've not seen this used yet on any movies, but it is possible).

I think you are thinking of HDCP which only comes into play with digital connections (HDMI and DVI). Component is an analog connection. I don't thing HDCP governs the resolution support.


Yeah, you're thinking of HDCP... but it doesn't work like that. Non-HDCP-ready TV's will block some HD content over an HDMI connection. If you encounter the problem you would need to switch to component video. A lot of D* customers utilize both HDMI & component from receiver to TV and switch to component input when they encounter any HDCP-blocked content. Component is still an HD cable, it's just analog instead of digital but still supports up to 1080i.

[SDizzle]

In your situation I would definitely use the HDMI for the Blu-Ray and use the component for the DVR. Blu-ray will not deliver its full video resolution over component. Copy protection, don'tcha know.

If you are planning to connect the Blu-ray to the HDMI for the picture but use an optical for the sound, be aware that you will not get the full quality surround sound that Blu-ray is capable of, and you may have audio-sync issues too. At best you will get 5.1 Dolby Digital, like a regular DVD player (or your DVR). Or you may get stereo only. You will not get Dolby TrueHD or DTS-MA full uncompressed multichannel. These cannot go across an optical connection.

Bottom line, Blu-ray players work to their full video and audio potential only when used with HDMI via a modern AV receiver. The closer you get to an all-HDMI system, the better it will work. All other connection methods are basically now obsolete.

That's why I just replaced a perfectly functional but obsolete AV system - or actually, three of them. HDMI, or more precisely, the copy protection restrictions of HDCP, made it essential.

By the way, HDMI switches actually can work pretty well. I don't know about the cheap monoprice one, but the Radiient I have works perfectly with my harmony remote. Oppo makes a good one too.

keith

Thanks for the heads up on the optical situation for audio. Honestly, I have not done any research on BluRay until now.....I didn't want to adopt too early and then find that HD DVD was the surviving platform. I am not sure that my receiver has an HDMI in, it is a THX certified receiver.....I will have to check.

[bmetelsky]

I also have only one HDMI input on my television. I use component for the HR-22 DVR because someone told me that the box would be more responsive than if I used the HDMI connection. Don't know if it's true or not. I have my XBox 360 connected via HDMI.

[wildbill129]

I know you said you didn't want to buy a switch, but I thought I would throw this out there. I only wanted to run one HDMI cable into my wall up to my plasma. And, I wanted everything to be HDMI. I bought one of these Oppo HDMI switches. It works fantastic, the price is decent, and it integrates perfectly into my harmony one. You never realize it's even there.....now I don't have to upgrade my Yamaha receiver just for HDMI switching.....here is a link:

http://www.oppodigital.com/hm31/

[SDizzle]

I know you said you didn't want to buy a switch, but I thought I would throw this out there. I only wanted to run one HDMI cable into my wall up to my plasma. And, I wanted everything to be HDMI. I bought one of these Oppo HDMI switches. It works fantastic, the price is decent, and it integrates perfectly into my harmony one. You never realize it's even there.....now I don't have to upgrade my Yamaha receiver just for HDMI switching.....here is a link:

http://www.oppodigital.com/hm31/

Thanks for the link....I looked at it, if I can program it into the harmony and keep things seamless....I may do that too....I didn't want to use an hdmi switch in fear that I would have to manually switch it.

[bonscott87]

Thanks for the link....I looked at it, if I can program it into the harmony and keep things seamless....I may do that too....I didn't want to use an hdmi switch in fear that I would have to manually switch it.

So long as it comes with a remote you can program it into a universal like the Harmony. Just learn the codes into a new device and then include them in your macros as needed. I almost got a switch myself since my old TV had no HDMI, didn't even have DVI. But I ended up getting a new plasma instead. ;)

[houskamp]

Another good thing with using a switch is it's capable of switching right away.. that is you don't have to wait for the TV to power up to change.. That's the main reason I use one (I have 4 HDMI on tv but the delay I have to add to my remote for power on>input is unbearable)

[spartanstew]

If you are planning to connect the Blu-ray to the HDMI for the picture but use an optical for the sound, be aware that you will not get the full quality surround sound that Blu-ray is capable of, and you may have audio-sync issues too. At best you will get 5.1 Dolby Digital, like a regular DVD player (or your DVR). Or you may get stereo only. You will not get Dolby TrueHD or DTS-MA full uncompressed multichannel. These cannot go across an optical connection.


Not exactly true. The DD track on a BD disc that is delivered via optical is much better than that of SD DVD or broadcast DD.



Bottom line, Blu-ray players work to their full video and audio potential only when used with HDMI via a modern AV receiver. The closer you get to an all-HDMI system, the better it will work. All other connection methods are basically now obsolete.


Also not true. You can use HDMI to a display and use the analog outs that are available on many blu ray players (and AVR's) to achieve full video and audio potential without a modern HDMI equipped AV receiver.


That's why I just replaced a perfectly functional but obsolete AV system - or actually, three of them. HDMI, or more precisely, the copy protection restrictions of HDCP, made it essential.


I don't know the details of your system(s), but there's a very good chance that not only was it not "essential", but you probably wasted a bunch of money in upgrading three systemsb if the only reason to do so was to obtain HDMI.

[tlieberg]

I'd hardly call myself an expert, but I think you'd be best off with the Blue-ray player via HDMI. It will be the device with the "highest capability" and will make best use of the HDMI link. I suggest you connect your HR via component now before buying and if you're satisfied with it, buy the blue-ray and put it in the hdmi port. If you don't like the HR over component, you should probably assume you won't like the Blue-ray player with that connection either and that will tell you to pursue another option, like the hdmi switch. Or something I didn't see mentioned before: an updated AV receiver (which is likely to be more expensive but will probably let you get the most out of all your components video and audio.) Newer AV receivers can aggregate your many devices and connect via one HDMI to your tv.