New TV cable-hookup advice needed

Tom Stiller wrote:

It's just more convenient.

HDMI does eliminate unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions so it's
more than "just more convenient."

Thanks Tom.
I didn't realize that component involves digital-to-analog
conversions.

Live and learn ...

-=tom=-

"Tom Stiller" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Eric" wrote:

"Mikepier" wrote in message
ps.com...

Theoretically, the HDMI connection is supposed to offer the best
quality, because there are no A/D-D/A conversions,

Thats complete nonsense. In the idea world, everything would simply use
component.

...but we don't live in that world. We live in the world where the
entertainment industry wants to control not only what content you watch,
but
when.

I think that you've confused HDMI and HDCP. HDMI is superior because it
carries digital video and audio with a single cable, whereas component
requires 5 cables.

--
Tom Stiller

HDCP is a protocol that can used by both DVI and HDMI interfaces.

Video and audio on the same cable isn't superior.

Its not even more convienent, unless you are that one guy up in Alaska that
actually uses their TV's built-in speakers....

"Tom Orle" wrote in message
...
"Eric" wrote:

Yes, composite cables work for component.

Are you advocating that he mismatch the colors on the plugs and
sockets :-))))

How could you .... :-(

-=tom=-

lol

"Tom Orle" wrote in message
...
Tom Stiller wrote:

It's just more convenient.

HDMI does eliminate unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions so it's
more than "just more convenient."

Thanks Tom.
I didn't realize that component involves digital-to-analog
conversions.

Live and learn ...

-=tom=-

Component is analog.
DVI and HDMI are digital.

With both, D/A conversion takes place somewhere. Either at the STB when you
use component cables or the TV when using DVI/HDMI.
Any difference in PQ comes down to the better D/A converter: STB or TV.
Probably wont be any difference, anyway.

Marketers know that some people probably lie awake at night and worry about
their three foot component (analog) run, so its easy to sell them on
DVI/HDMI.

They want you to be digital all the way to your TV for control. Don't be
surprised, years from now, when you come home to view some show that you set
your new HD-DVDRW (or BluRay-RW) DVR and find that your show wasn't
recorded --- but 5 hours of commercials were..

Digital is, of course, the only way to do long haul transmission -- but
around my TV, I want to be in control. Thats why I'd just assume all STB's,
TV's, DVR's, HD/BR/DVD's, etc, simply just use component.

Its ALL analog when the light leaves the screen...

In article ,
"Eric" wrote:

"Tom Orle" wrote in message
...
Tom Stiller wrote:

It's just more convenient.

HDMI does eliminate unnecessary digital-to-analog conversions so it's
more than "just more convenient."

Thanks Tom.
I didn't realize that component involves digital-to-analog
conversions.

Live and learn ...

-=tom=-

Component is analog.
DVI and HDMI are digital.

With both, D/A conversion takes place somewhere. Either at the STB when you
use component cables or the TV when using DVI/HDMI.
Any difference in PQ comes down to the better D/A converter: STB or TV.
Probably wont be any difference, anyway.

Marketers know that some people probably lie awake at night and worry about
their three foot component (analog) run, so its easy to sell them on
DVI/HDMI.

They want you to be digital all the way to your TV for control. Don't be
surprised, years from now, when you come home to view some show that you set
your new HD-DVDRW (or BluRay-RW) DVR and find that your show wasn't
recorded --- but 5 hours of commercials were..

Digital is, of course, the only way to do long haul transmission -- but
around my TV, I want to be in control. Thats why I'd just assume all STB's,
TV's, DVR's, HD/BR/DVD's, etc, simply just use component.

Its ALL analog when the light leaves the screen...

Not if you're viewing a DLP system. :-)

--
Tom Stiller

PGP fingerprint = 5108 DDB2 9761 EDE5 E7E3
7BDA 71ED 6496 99C0 C7CF

"Eric" wrote:

... --- but 5 hours of commercials were..

Eric,

You aren't kidding there :-(
I noticed this season the commercials seem to be every 10 minutes as
opposed to every 15 just a few years ago. Some channels late night
have them every 7 minutes!
In a few years we'll have 20 minutes of commercials and 10 minutes of
a show in a 1/2hour period --- disgusting!!

Digital is, of course, the only way to do long haul transmission -- but
around my TV, I want to be in control. Thats why I'd just assume all STB's,
TV's, DVR's, HD/BR/DVD's, etc, simply just use component.

If we stick to component, will we be able to watch HDCP material when
greedy Hollywood studios force it upon us in the future? As I
understand it, HDCP only works over DVI or HDMI. Or am I missing
something here?

-=tom=-

In article ,
Tom Orle wrote:

If we stick to component, will we be able to watch HDCP material when
greedy Hollywood studios force it upon us in the future? As I
understand it, HDCP only works over DVI or HDMI. Or am I missing
something here?

If greedy Hollywood studios have their way, you will be prohibited from
sending full-resolution, content-protected video to anything other than
another suitably restricted box. As it stands now, component interfaces
have no specified mechanism for exchanging encryption keys so
content-protected video will be resolution reduced to prevent
"unauthorized" use.

--
Tom Stiller

PGP fingerprint = 5108 DDB2 9761 EDE5 E7E3
7BDA 71ED 6496 99C0 C7CF

"Eric" wrote in message
...

"Tom Stiller" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Eric" wrote:

"Mikepier" wrote in message
ps.com...

Theoretically, the HDMI connection is supposed to offer the best
quality, because there are no A/D-D/A conversions,

Thats complete nonsense. In the idea world, everything would simply use
component.

...but we don't live in that world. We live in the world where the
entertainment industry wants to control not only what content you watch,
but
when.

I think that you've confused HDMI and HDCP. HDMI is superior because it
carries digital video and audio with a single cable, whereas component
requires 5 cables.

--
Tom Stiller

HDCP is a protocol that can used by both DVI and HDMI interfaces.

Video and audio on the same cable isn't superior.

Its not even more convienent, unless you are that one guy up in Alaska
that actually uses their TV's built-in speakers....


Much smaller/thinner wiring works wonders in cramped areas.