Comments

farss wrote on 10/19/2009, 1:42 AM
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.

Bob.
craftech wrote on 10/19/2009, 4:28 AM
1. Component is analog. HDMI and DVI are digital.

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.

John
Grazie wrote on 10/19/2009, 4:34 AM
Craig? More to the point, why are you asking? And what are you trying to achieve?

And John, thanks for nailing home some loose ends for me ! Does one "nail home" loose ends? Shouldn't that be tying-up loose ends? Yeah . . .

Anyway thanks John!

Grazie
FilmingPhotoGuy wrote on 10/19/2009, 12:21 PM
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.

Coursedesign wrote on 10/19/2009, 1:04 PM
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 wrote on 10/19/2009, 5:58 PM
Nobody knows of any HDMI to component converter cable do they? I could sure use one for my early HD TV.
rs170a wrote on 10/19/2009, 6:16 PM
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.

Mike
FilmingPhotoGuy wrote on 10/21/2009, 2:12 AM
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?
FilmingPhotoGuy wrote on 10/21/2009, 2:19 AM
My bad, it's the AVI port not the DVI port. But yes it does have a DVI port.
amendegw wrote on 10/21/2009, 3:54 AM
DVI<->HDMI cables are handy things to keep in one's cable box.

See: http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231

Of course, the audio does transfer thru to the DVI, so you'll need separate audio connections - depends on your connector config.

...Jerry

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Coursedesign wrote on 10/21/2009, 7:08 AM
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.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/21/2009, 7:11 AM
my ATI card came with a DVI to Component adapter. couldn't that be used to convert HDMI to component/vice versa?
R0cky wrote on 10/21/2009, 8:50 AM
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.

Rocky