[Sanborn]

well I plan on buying this tv:

Sony KV-30HS420


and it says that is has an HDMI interface. Now I might just be confused but I thought HDMI was its own type of plugin, seperate from component and all that jazz. SO MY REAL QUESTION IS: does that mean my tv has one of those flat hdmi plugs in the back of it and I need a dvd player with HDMI out on it ?


or do I need to pass something thru an HDMI reciever?


I know its a bunch of stupid questions, im just consfused.

 

[dt_dc]

The set ALSO has component inputs (2 I believe) ...


Yes, HDMI is it's own type of connection ... seperate / different from component.


But the set has both so ... enjoy!

 

[Sanborn]

thanks dt_dc.


now next round of questions:


Should I use this HDMI over component ?? (im guessing yes), do those uber HD-DVD players use hdmi ?

 

[STEELERSRULE]

As far as I know, the current DVD players with HD upconversion use DVI, not HDMI. I may be wrong. I believe the newer models that will be released either soon or more towards the end of the year will have HDMI outputs.


Either way, HDMI is BACKWARDS compatible. Assuming this is the case, then you would get a cable with one end DVI and the other end HDMI. You would then connect the HDMI part to the HDMI input/output and then the DVI end to the DVI input/output. Then connect the regular RCA red and White cables for sound with the DVI input/output jacks.


With regards to whether the DVI or HDMI look better than component, some have said yes, some have said no. I believe on large screens(DLP, PLASMA, LCD) more people would say the PURE digital connection looks better, while on CRT direct-view tubes the component looks a liitle better. But this is also based on personal taste. I have read where people have stated that the DVI or HDMI input looks SHARPER than the Component. Colors are a little more vibrant as well. But others have said that the colors are TOO VIBRANT and the picture is TOO SHARP. Not smooth like the component.


If you get the above Sony, juggle with the inputs until you get the desired picture you are looking for. You may come to find that while OTA Digital/HD TV looks great through DVI or HDMI, DVD's look better through component or vice/versa.

 

[Sanborn]

im actually not going to have HDTV for years, I just wanted the feature becuase I will have this tv for a very long time.


So how would I use a HD-DVD player with DVI when I have HDMI and Component in exactly ?

 

[getme]

HDMI and DVI are interchangeable with the proper cable essentially HDMI is DVI with digital audio and a different connector. I have the KV30HS510 and really the only difference I see between DVI and component is color vs detail. DVI seems to have a slight advantage in detail and component has an advantage with color.


The main difference between component and DVI/HDMI is a built in copy protection scheme called HDCP. The digital connectors have it, component doesn't. This does not make much of a difference now but it will with the arrival of high-definition dvd, Hollywood will use HDCP to protect content from copying if your set does not have a digital input with HDCP you MIGHT not be able to view the discs a full resolution.


If you need more acronyms let me know. I lovbe this set and it is a good buy.

 

[Sanborn]

is the 420 similair to the one u have ?

 

[getme]

The 420 is the replacement line for the 510 series, it should have the same possibly more features at a slightly reduced price. This might be a good time to pick up a 510 series set on clearence if the discount is deep enough.

 

[dt_dc]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sanborn Should I use this HDMI over component ??

I wouldn't go out of my way ...


But if you get some equipment with HDMI (or DVI) out ... and component out ... compare / contrast and see which you like best.


You might prefer one over the other ... you might see no difference ... you might even find you prefer component on one piece of equipment and HDMI on another ... it can be equipment-specific as alot depends on internal signal path, what chips / parts are used, etc.


You may find some equipment / signals only available (or only available at full resolution) via HDMI (or DVI) so in that case ... you'd want to use your HDMI input. Those 'uber DVD players' you mention ... some only allow for 1080i / 720p output via HDMI (or DVI).


There are DVI -> HDMI conversion cables ... that's how you'd use DVI outputs of any equipment that has them.

 

[Sanborn]

ok thx