hdmi cable

[doug lang]

I have a hdmi port on dvd player and one on the hd tv. Will this enable me to watch hd dvd's if connected to one another. Thanks guy's as always, Doug

[unc2701]

HD dvd's don't exist... yet. That port will transfer sound & video all in one cable and keep the video digital (and maybe the audio). Comparing component vs HDMI, I have not seen a very big difference and it made my TV bitchy (they have to negotiate copyright before it'll show anything).

[Willow]

it'll let you watch dvds yes, but as far as I know there are NO HD dvds yet. It will allow you to watch it in higher rez. But a component cable will do the same.

[Willow]

and it made my TV bitchy .

It made my TV act up as well.

[doug lang]

I seem to be in a discusion with my son who has these remastered Seinfeld dvd's in hd. That is where this hd thing came up. He also said star wars is in hd, but there is nothing on the dvd which states that.

[PolkThug]

They may be 'remastered', but they are still 480 lines of resolution (not HD).

[adam2434]

Stuff can be filmed in HD or remastered in HD, then transferred to current DVD format. However, it will still only be in the current DVD format and resolution until HD DVD is available.

Regarding the benefits/improvements of HDMI vs. component for DVD, I do see a significant improvement using HDMI upconversion vs. component on my DVD player. However, I believe this improvement is coming from the upconversion, not inherently from the HDMI interface. The upconversion is only played through the HDMI out, and not the component out. When I compare HDMI to component with high def cable TV, I do not notice a significant improvement with HDMI (I don't think I can see a difference at all and I have like 20/15 vision). This is because both the HDMI and component are getting the same high resolution signal from the cable box, unlike with the DVD player.

Adam

[doug lang]

Thanks guys. I will have to make the decision on weather the hdmi will make a difference with my dvd to tv hook up. So far from all that I have read is about 50/50.

[Willow]

I thought the HDMI would be better, so bought one, hooked it up, didn't like what it did to the pic. Used component. Bought Yes a monster one, same thing didn't like the reaction with the TV. Back to component I don't think I'll go back.

[adam2434]

Doug, the best thing for you to do is try HDMI and component to determine if you have any compatibility issues and to determine if HDMI is an improvement or not.

Both compatibility and picture quality differences seem to be highly dependent on the gear used.

Not to derail your thread, but does anyone know if HD DVD will be able to output full resolution through the component outs, or will it need to use HDMI? I think it's pretty stupid that my DVD player will only send the upconverted signal through HDMI, when component cables would obviously support these resolutions (1080i or 720p) just fine.

[PolkThug]

It won't be available via component out, early adopters of HD will be screwed. (Unless you get leet haxxored china version)

[unc2701]

As of right now there should be component outputs on HD-DVD and bluray players... but the copyright nazi's love the idea of HDMI. On the one hand, you can't make a perfect copy w/ the analog component outputs, but on the other, I could totally see them adding a requirement for only putting HDMI on the players.

[doug lang]

Well just thought I would get back to you guys. Ran to best buy and picked up an acoustic audio hdmi cable. Had to prove this with my son. Paid about 85.00 about halve the price for monster. Again my son is returning to UF and just had to see if improved. On the Seinfeld remasterd you do see an improvement with the 1080. Tried star wars and again you see a more clearer picture. War of the worlds can't tell with the video. Like Adam has said I think It depends on your equip. For me we both agree there was a difference, and for now my tv seems to get along with the hook up. Thanks all for your feedback. All have a safe holiday. Doug

[Willow]

Glad to hear it worked out for you. I was using the HDMI only form my HD cable box to TV. The other issue is I couldn't justify the extra price for HDMI/DVI.

[adam2434]

I though War of the Worlds had pretty crappy video anyway - grainey as hell.

Glad to see that you got an improvement with the HDMI upconversion.