Atlona's Flat HDMI cable, available soon
Filed under: Cables
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark B @ Sep 27th 2006 6:23PM
I have a question for knowledgeable types out there: I remember reading long ago that for my DirecTV Tivo HD box, it would be preferable to use composite cables, because using HDMI to connect resulted in a poor picture, so I initially connected as such. I tried out HDMI later, and the difference was clear: the DirecTV picture was pretty bad with HDMI, really blotchy for lack of a better term.
Now it's been a year and my mom went out and bought a new plasma and a new upscaling DVD w/ HDMI to go along with it. I told her to ignore the Best Buy sales guys' pitches about needing a $50 HDMI cable, but she forgot and buckled when they told her she "needed" one to get a really clear picture. I told her to return it, but remembered that my experience with HDMI was limited to my DirecTV Tivo box.
What is the consensus on using HDMI vs composite for upscaling DVD players? Anyone have experience with both? Is the picture better with HDMI, and if so, is the difference worth $50? If it matters, her DVD player is made by Philips.
Thanks for any help or comments -Mark B in LA, CA
Zinn @ Sep 27th 2006 7:30PM
Are you sure you mean composite? and not component? a single yellow cable or the separated cables (RGB). Cause composite can not transfer HD, you can use HDMI, DVI or Component.
Hope this helpes.
digitalb @ Sep 28th 2006 12:58AM
Regardless of whether he meant component or composite, an upscaling dvd player will only upscale (output at 720p/1080i) using the HDMI jack. Using component (R/G/B) you can get 480p(progressive scan) which will look slightly better than 480i which comes out of the composite (Yellow), throw in S-Video and you see why HD becomes a nightmare for a lot of consumers. Now keep in mind how well a upscaling DVD player will "work" depends on the quality of the source material, that is to say Criterion/Superbit/DVD-9 or any well made DVD (with a good source like a high budget feature film) will look amazing, while that $5 copy of some crappy movie(or anything shot on video) you bought in the supermarket checkout line is probably gonna look even worse on your new HDTV. Garbage in garbage out as they say. Some people would even argue that the upscaler built into most nicer HDTVs will give a better picture from DVD's (using component) anyways. Also your right about HDMI for DirectTV it is the same for the motorola HD cable boxes I think HDMI was kind of an afterthought. Since you will be getting a 720p/1080i signal over component anyways it is usually the better way to go, which is what i'm guessing you meant (not just a single yellow, because otherwise the $30 you spend on decent component cables would be well spent)
GhostDoggy @ Sep 28th 2006 5:47AM
digitalb, not all upscaling DVD players are created equally, and some actually will output an upscaled image on Component video analog output. Of course, upscale means interpolation or the advent of making up information that was really there to begin with.
I have found just as good results buying a cable from someone like mono price for $7 than a $100 cable from some like best buy on the munster brand (pun intended). Of course, if you have less than stellar vision, stellar display, stellar content (dvd transfer, etc.), environment, etc., then this could be all moot.
Next they will be selling you some O2free and RC-blessed cabled for only $995 per foot, but must be installed by an RC representative for an additional fee.