Component, DVI and HDMI connections

May 7, 2006

HDMI-InputWith HD-DVD and Blu-ray players making their way into our homes and new HDTV buyers experiencing first-time connection woes, I thought a HDTV connection primer might be helpful for some of our new readers. The three most common HDTV connections currently in use are: Component, DVI, and HDMI.

Component cables are easily identifiable by their red, green, and blue bands toward the end of their connection plugs. Component was widely used as the default HD connection in first and second generation HDTV equipment. Many manufacturers continue to support component video connections on newer equipment as well.

One thing to keep in mind with component video connections is that even though they are capable of transmitting HDTV, they aren’t capable of HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliance.

If you’re running cabling for that new HDTV entertainment system, I strongly advise you to run a DVI or HDMI connection in addition to that component cable. Certain HD sources and equipment may not deliver full resolution HDTV over component, due to the cables lack of HDCP compliance.


DVI (Digital Video Interface) uses a rectangular multi-pinned connector with screw-down binding posts to ensure a solid connection. DVI was originally used by the computer industry but DVI is more than capable of handling high definition at full resolution with HDCP, in consumer electronics. Keep in mind however that DVI carries video information only.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) on the other hand supports high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio all on a single cable. If your display supports HDMI then by all means use it, if at all possible but don’t fall into marketing hype that would lead you to believe that HDMI is superior to DVI in video transmission.

In addition to being able to carry audio and video on a single cable, HDMI also supports the transmission of the new Dolby Digital + and DTS-HD surround sound formats.



Posted by B.Greenway | | Filed Under HDTV Equipment


Comments

  • gy222142
    I though I somewhat understood issues with HDCP but I must not. Just bought an LG 55LH90 which is the newest LED LCD. I have Timewarner cable & a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR. I attempted to connect the DVR & TV with an HDMI cable but I continually received an error that the "content could not be displayed" or something very similar. Station information is displayed in the menu bar but no picture or sound. The LG is supposed to be HDCP compliant. So I am cinfused as to why I can not use an HDMI cable. Component works great. What am I not understanding?
  • christine reeves
    i have a new panasonic plasma tv hd built in and i finally worked out how to get the new hd channels but only if i turn off the vcr also a new panasonic because it is connected up to use this remote. How do you record a hd program then if you have to turn the tv off to get hd tv
  • dave
    i have a Mitsubshi hdtv with a dvi connection. I have a onkyo receiver with hdmi output connection and a fios set top box with hdmi output. When i connect the set top box to my receiver hdmi input and connect the receiver hdmi output to my tv dvi input i can hear the audio through my receiver but no picture. Any ideas
  • Carchick
    I just recently purchased a Magnavox MRD310 home theater system. In the instructions, it says that in order to receive regular TV stations in surround sound, I have to run my home theater system through my VCR. Why the hell would they make a sophisticated piece of equipment that has to run through a "dinosaur" VCR in order for it to work. Would be great if my VCR had a digital tuner in it, but unfortunately it does not. Any idea how to hook it up without the VCR and be able to get Monday Night Football in surround sound.
    Thanks
  • F Steven Howard
    I have a Genesis Media Labs Model G-610 Powered Home Theater. It has component input only. It has DVD inputs for fl, fr, c, sl, sr all labelled as DVD input. It has CD input with two component cable input and Aux input with two component cable input.

    The system sounds great. However, I have purchased a new Panasonic HDTV with 2 component cable output to home theatre. This will connect to the AUX input for the home theatre.

    However, will it provide the surround sound I am looking for? The TV has HDMI input and output. My HD DVD is HDMI connected input to the TV but does not have 6 component output to the Home theatre. Is there a HDMI to 6 component cable that I can use from the HD TV to the input in the Home Theatre (or another solution)?
  • cliff
    I just purchased a hd tv and Home theatre system by lg. I would like to know how to hook it up so that i can receive home theatre sound when watching satelite tv
    tks
  • Nick
    I have recently bought a HDTV and upgraded my Sat box to HD. Since the installation I am unable to get TV sound through my home theatre system, i can only get sound direct from my TV. My TV is a Panasonic Viera and the home theatre system is a 4 yr old pioneer. Any Idea on how to get the sound working?
  • william
    I am going to purchase a DVD/VCR recorder with HDMI interface (ver. 1.3) and have a projector with a HDMI interface however my audio home receiver does not have HDMI interface. Can I connect projector and DVD/VCR using HDMI cable only and have it play video & audio from both vcr's and dvd's correctly?
  • Chuck G
    I'm new to the HD Home Theater scene, and I'm attempting to set up my new home theater. I have a new Sony 1080p LCD TV, HK AVR347 receiver, and a DVR Cable box. I'll be using a DVD player with both component and composite outputs, and a VCR with composite ins/outs. The TV has 3 HDMI inputs along with both component and composite. The receiver has 1 HDMI output and 2 HDMI inputs with A/V processing. The DVR cable box has an HDMI output. I was told that I would be able to run only 1 HDMI cable from my reciever's output to my TV, and input my cable, DVD and VCR into the reciever. Does this sound correct?
  • Tim Comolli
    I want to upgrade my HP multimedia Media Center computer but I can't find a single manufacterur that makes ones that look like AV components and have HDMI connections. Any thoughts?
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