[KalEl]

My Panny PT-50LC14 has multiple (4?) component inputs and (sadly) only one HDMI input.


I'm getting HDTV from Time Warner, and the HD cable box has a DVI output and component output.


In theory, the DVI output delivers a better picture. So, I could connect the HD cable box to my Panny with a DVI to HDMI cable, and get the best possible picture. Seems like a no-brainer.


However, I plan to get a newer-generation DVD player with an HDMI connection (when they become more common).


So, I'm faced with a choice. Do I connect the HD cable box to my TV's HDMI input, or do I connect the DVD player to the HDMI input?


I've decided to connect the DVD player to the Panny's HDMI input, and connect the HD cable box to the Panny's component input, for two reasons:


1. We place more emphasis on movies than TV viewing

2. Many people say a component connection is practically equivalent to a DVI connection with regards to HD reception and quality.


I'm sure others must face similar choices. I'm curious as to your thoughts.

 

[roostacaster]

1. Use hdmi for your HD cable.

2. Buy a DVD player that has good processing, use it with component. (Maybe look at Denon or Pioneer Elite)


I didn't like the look of dvi upconverted dvd vs. component dvd through either one of those dvd player. It seems to add noise and make the picture look less organic.

 

[TTA89]

Buy the New Marantz 8500 Reciever and use the DVI switching to run both Cable and DVD like Im gonna do next month.

 

[TheGrub]

Or get the Zenith DVB318 with a build date of December 2003 or March 2004 and you will get 1080i upconverted DVD's through components !!!

 

[jjesusfreak01]

We shouldnt have to make choices like this. Mitsubishi had the right idea with their firewire connections. You could chain the devices with a cable between each device and the next. It even supported encryption. The developers need to get their heads straight and use good ideas like this. Now the only choice for using many devices is to have a hub, such as an amp, however these are expensive and only a few have hdmi or dvi inputs.


I believe this is an important feature that should be looked for when buying a new tv. Many only have one input, but some newer ones such as the Samsungs have multiple inputs, such as a dvi and an hdmi, or two of one of these, but Samsung has even decided to cut one of the inputs on their integrated tvs, as they are instead including cablecard slots, and digital tuners.


Not everyone has an amp to toss on their tv, and not everyone even has the space to add an amp. I understand the idea of cablecards, but unless the tv companies are sure these cablecards, with two-way capability, will be available soon, it is not wise to remove the other inputs and risk the scorn of unhappy customers.

 

[jjesusfreak01]

Quote:

Originally posted by TheGrub Or get the Zenith DVB318 with a build date of December 2003 or March 2004 and you will get 1080i upconverted DVD's through components !!!

Or the Samsung DVD-HD941, HD841, HD931; the Panasonic DVD-S97S; the Sony DVP-NS975V; the Toshiba SD-5970; the V inc Bravo D2; and a few others.

 

[AcuraCL]

Quote:

Originally posted by KalEl My Panny PT-50LC14 has multiple (4?) component inputs and (sadly) only one HDMI input.... However, I plan to get a newer-generation DVD player with an HDMI connection (when they become more common). ...I've decided to connect the DVD player to the Panny's HDMI input, and connect the HD cable box to the Panny's component input, for two reasons: 1. We place more emphasis on movies than TV viewing 2. Many people say a component connection is practically equivalent to a DVI connection with regards to HD reception and quality. I'm sure others must face similar choices. I'm curious as to your thoughts.

Your logic is perfect. It is exactly the same rationale I used to connect my satellite box to my one DVI input (50LC13).


If you currently have a decent DVD player, you may be surprised to discover the upscaling player does not improve your DVD picture much. The LC series have very good scaling capabilities. Feed it a good progressive signal, and the picture is fantastic. Few scaling players are more capable. Only a small amount of /possible/ artifacts from dig/analog/digital conversion may be reduced by the upscaling player going into DVI/HDMI.


Make sure wherever you buy the player has a good return policy.

 

[rogo]

Another choice is a 2 x 1 Gefen HDMI switcher.

 

[kyungkim]

dvd.

I compared the ouptut from my momitsu dvi player and my hidef dtv box.

On my sony gw3, i couldnt tell the difference between the dvi and the component using the hidef box.

There was a world of difference though in the dvi and component with the dvd player.


I tried the same thing on my sisters samsung dlp, and there was a difference on both devices. DVD still had a bigger jump in quality when connected to the dvi. I noticed that hidef via dvi was cleaner with slightly less noise, but the component was fine, you wouldnt notice the difference if we hadnt done a direct comparison.


Ideally you'd want 2 plugs, but for now im happy with the dvi dvd player in that slot.

K

 

[NeedAName]

I'm just curious about something. I'm completly new to all this but was wondering if a cablecard would take care of this problem? For the sets that support them of course. I realize it would eliminate one of the antenna ports, but might be worth it if you could get two HDMI ports without spending 320 on a splitter.

 

[AcuraCL]

Quote:

Originally posted by kyungkim ... I noticed that hidef via dvi was cleaner with slightly less noise, but the component was fine, you wouldnt notice the difference if we hadnt done a direct comparison.... K

That's very interesting, but not my experience at all. I have consistently found HD via component to be noticeably grainier and more pixelated than via DVI on a Pan. RP-LCD.


Perhaps all your test says, is that the Momitsu sucks at component output.

 

[tjk]

Quote:

Originally posted by rogo Another choice is a 2 x 1 Gefen HDMI switcher.

Second that. That's what I plan on doing.

 

[kyungkim]

Quote:

Perhaps all your test says, is that the Momitsu sucks at component output.

I never used the momitsu compononents, i know they blow.

I used a panny cp72, (essentially identical to the rp82) as the component test.

So it wasnt quite fair comparison, 480p over component vs 720p over dvi.


But in reality those were my options, and having only one dvi port, the dvd saw the most impovement.


Like i said, there was a difference with dvi on hidef with the samsung, but it was slight, much smaller than the dramatic improvement i saw with the dvd players.


On my sony gw3, the dvi difference was nonexistant. This is prob due to the shared analog path of the dvi on the sony's.


So ymmv on the set itself. With the panny, i suspect dvi would help hidef as well as the dvd player. But again, i think you will notice the most dramatic increase with the dvi on dvd.

K

 

[sooke]

I hook my DVD player to my TV with DVI.

I hook my HD cable box to my TV with component.


DVI just seemed to make a bigger difference to my eye for the DVD, as opposed to HD. YMMV.


Sooke

 

[BillP]

Quote:

Originally posted by sooke I hook my DVD player to my TV with DVI. I hook my HD cable box to my TV with component. DVI just seemed to make a bigger difference to my eye for the DVD, as opposed to HD. YMMV. Sooke

I agree. You will not see much difference using DVI with a cable box (the PQ looks so good to begin with using component cables with HD broadcasts). You get more bang for the buck using the digital connection with an upscaling DVD player.

 

[tjk]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillP I agree. You will not see much difference using DVI with a cable box (the PQ looks so good to begin with using component cables with HD broadcasts). You get more bang for the buck using the digital connection with an upscaling DVD player.

Is it a waste, in your opinion, to spend $200 for an HDMI/DVI switcher to hook up a DirecTV HD receiver via HDMI vs. hooking it up via component or RGB?

 

[rogo]

"Is it a waste, in your opinion, to spend $200 for an HDMI/DVI switcher to hook up a DirecTV HD receiver via HDMI vs. hooking it up via component or RGB?"


To me it isn't.


Forcing a false choice because of what inputs a TV happens to have, though, I don't really get.


I'm not saying you need a $200 switcher, but it's certainly a reasonable investment.

 

[Drew224]

Quote:

Originally posted by jjesusfreak01 Or the Samsung DVD-HD941, HD841, HD931; the Panasonic DVD-S97S; the Sony DVP-NS975V; the Toshiba SD-5970; the V inc Bravo D2; and a few others.

His point was that the Zenith has upscaling over component. The ones you listed do not. They will only output 480p over component not 720p or 1080i.

 

[NVboy]

Quote:

Originally posted by NeedAName I'm just curious about something. I'm completly new to all this but was wondering if a cablecard would take care of this problem? For the sets that support them of course. I realize it would eliminate one of the antenna ports, but might be worth it if you could get two HDMI ports without spending 320 on a splitter.

The Panasonic LCD's with cablecard only have 1 HDMI input, but 2 antenna inputs. This would help, but only if you can live with the limitations of cablecard.

 

[KalEl]

Time Warner installed my HD cable box yesterday using component hookups. I'm happy with the HD reception, and bolstered by what I've read here, I've decided to stay with my original plan and keep the HDMI input open for a future DVD player connection.


It's a shame that we've got to make compromises like this. As much as these TVs cost, not only should they have multiple HDMI/DVI inputs, they should come with a set of keys as well.


Loving my HD reception though...