Semi-newbie with questions ...

I've just purchased and installed a new TH50PH9UK, which looks great. But I'm a little uncertain about my cabling at this point. My first plasma was a 42" Panny ED panel, which I loved (and still own). I installed a DVI board in that TV.

I am running a D* HR10-250 hidef Tivo and a Samsung progressive DVD player at the moment. The Tivo has an HDMI output, as well as component; the Sammy has component and DVI.

For this 720p screen, should I purchase the HDMI board for it and run the Tivo in through that? I believe the DVI board will work with this TV as well (the folks at VA said it would); I could run the Sammy into that (or the Tivo with an adapter). Audio is handled through the receiver only.

As an alternative, I can connect both the Sammy and the Tivo to my Denon receiver with component cables and run those to the factory component inputs on the plasma, but I'm not sure if I'm losing any quality going that route.

Any assistance? Thanks!

Yes, every time you run the cable through the external video receiver it *will* cut down the Picture Quality. More and more signals are lost when you do that.

There is an old saying "go direct". Direct and short. That is awesome three words.


.........But I don't think it really matters that greatly because the source you will be viewing is probably highly compressed high def stations. Compression = Bad.


But yes, try to minimize signal lose when you do this. It will help maintain original source quality.

Only way to find out for sure is to try out the HDMI connection and try out the Component connection and see which one looks better to you. Some people like sharper, and slightly pixelated pictures. Some people like blurry soft pictures which the Component will tend to give.... but that come useful when the original source is crap....... but if the high def source is really good and sharp I would avoid using the component.

Gotcha ... one last question ... is there any difference between (HDMI to HDMI) and (HDMI - DVI) using an adaptor? Or, in other words, can I just buy the $4 adaptor and use my existing DVI board or will I get better results with a new Panny HDMI board?

HDMI and DVI can support up to 1080p. To answer your question, there will be no difference in picture quality using an adapter. Hope this helps...

Chris
mountavision.com

Gotcha ... one last question ... is there any difference between (HDMI to HDMI) and (HDMI - DVI) using an adapter? Or, in other words, can I just buy the $4 adapter and use my existing DVI board or will I get better results with a new Panny HDMI board?

Thanks, Chris!

No problem. Enjoy your Panasonic in HD bliss!

Chris

Thanks, Chris!