What is the video quality difference between HDMI and Componet PB - PR - Y?
I know component does'nt transmit the audio signal. Are they both HD video?
Component video can be SD or HD. As far as I know HDMI is only used for HD. HDMI is a digital interface whereas component is analog. The difference in quality depends though on how the signal is derived. I think technically HDMI is capable of higher quality than component. One thing to keep in mind though is HDMI is a consummer interface, the connectors are not upto the rigours of use in the field. Component comes with either RCA or BNC connectors, the later being more durable.
The better interface is SDI but that's more expensive.
1. An HDMI connection can carry audio as well as video. Component can only carry video. DVI can only carry video.
2. For scaling and upconverting an HDMI or DVI connection is required. It won't work with Component because it is analog which not DRM protected in the US, and thus not allowed by equipment manufacturers. Some Chinese manufacturers have gotten around the CSS restriction.
Grazie: My 37" LCD Benq screen does not have an HDMI socket but Componet sockets. It's "HD ready" as they say. Since it does'nt have HDMI am I missing something? I bought a media player that has both HDMI and componet jacks and was wondering what the difference is.
HDMI will give you a snappier picture than Component (no signal degradation in the cables and series of D/A and A/D conversions).
Are you sure there isn't a DVI jack on your Benq screen? That is just an inexpensive adapter away from an HDMI plug, same signal with no conversions (in most cases). No sound, but then those LCD speakers don't tend to be exactly room-shaking anyway.
Laurence, I'm sure there are other sources but a quick Google search turned up HDTV Supply.
The website has this to say about HDMI to component converter cables:
This HDMI to Component Cable does not exist and there is no such thing as an HDMI to Component Cable! If someone is selling an HDMI to Component Cable don't buy it as it doesn't work.
This HDMI to Component Cable doesn't exist because:
1. HDMI is digital with pulses and component is analog with waveforms
2. HDMI has 19 pins and component + audio has only 5
3. HDMI has the HDCP copy protection signal whereas there is no component equivalent
4. A cable is a passive device made up of 2 connectors, solder and wires. It cannot convert one digital signal into another analog signal.
If you need to convert an un-encrypted HDMI video signal to component see one of our HDMI to component converters.
They have 3 different models from $220 to $330.
There is a caveat though and here it is:
Note: Since this device is HDCP Compliant, a content protected HDMI input will not result in a picture. That means no DVD's, no Blu-rays, no DVD's in a PS3, etc. Reports have said it will work with set top boxes that do not send out copy protected signals but we have not confirmed that. Check with your satellite or cable company to see if the HDMI signals out of their box are encrypted.
You must agree to reading this in the COMMENTS box of your order or it will be placed on hold.
Coursedesign: Yes there is a DVI port at the back of the BenQ. I also have a "DVI/AV" dongle thingy that fits into this DVI port. But half the teeth are missing. Since this reverts back to an AV signal, what is the quality difference in term of video thru put?
There are DVI-HDMI adapter cables and there are small adapter connectors.
What's most convenient and least expensive depends. If you already have a long (pricier) high quality cable, just get the adapter connector, unless the DVI/HDMI jack on the back of your screen is in a place where there will be enough tension on the cable to pull the HDMI connector out by itself.
There are locking HDMI connectors, but they're not widespread yet.
DVI has an analog standard as well as digital. HDMI does not - digital only but with audio. That is why you can sometimes convert DVI to analog with a cable.