HDMI-Is it worth it?

[Izaran]

I plan on investing in a 26" 720p LCD HDTV, a Sony Bravia. I want to know if an HDMI cable will make a noticble difference in an audio or video quality, and subsequently if it is worth dishing out the extra cash for such a small size TV. And if it is worth it, a suggestion on cheap cables and where I can purchase/order them from.

[Alpha2]

HDMI as opposed to what? component? Supposedly it will still do HD in component but the HDMI cable is a simpler solution and isnt as messy. But when you talk about the cash, you know there are much cheaper cables. You can find a cable by Pelican for 20 bucks that's just fine and Monoprice boasts cables as low as 5 bucks (I'd google them)
.

[Kyo-Unit]

HDMI all the way!
but dont get sucked into buying an expensive one.

[Sentinel]

HDMI will not give you better picture than Component. HDMI will give you better audio if it's hooked up to more than Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES, like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, LPCM, etc.

[Ma Dai]

That is not true, it will give you better picture. I have first hand experience with it.
But i dont use mine for audio, as I hook my audio up to my DVD player, which is surround sound, its totally awesome.

[ex nihilo7]

It depends on your tv really, and what you are hooking it up to. I like component, but I prefer HDMI because I always hurt my fingers when I try to plug in component cables and removing them lol. You might as well get an HDMI cable from monoprice because its a much simpler set up.

[Metfanant]

i doubt you will notice the difference between HDMI and a good set of component cables....BUT....i'd go HDMI simply because its easier....audio AND video in 1 cable...its nice....and go to monoprice.com for your HDMI cables....

[Penski]

HDMI will not give you better picture than Component. HDMI will give you better audio if it's hooked up to more than Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES, like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, LPCM, etc.

Isnt it true on a technical level that Component can only do up to 1080i whereas HDMI can do 1080P? Not sure if even I would notice a difference (Ive never tried to compare them), but seeing as both my PS3 and TV are capable of it, id certainly prefer to have a capable that supports it.

What others have said..dont get pulled into paying anything more than a few £s/$s for your HDMI cable. There are excellent ones up on Ebay, Amazon..and that Monoprice seems to be quite popular.

[Dorfdad]

yes I heard that HDMI allows 1080p and component was 1080i I believe.

Plus much easier to move things around with HDMI plug and pray!

[Beodude123]

Component can handle all resolutions. You can output 1080p through component, but due to HDCP, only 1080p is allowed through HDMI. Some TVs can accept a 1080p output from component though.

[FdMstng99]

I think HDMI is worth it, I love the picture. As everyone else has said get your HDMI cables from monoprice. I ordered 2 HDMI cables and it was under $17 shipped.

[davidyoung]

If for no other reason than to reduce the number of cables (RCA + coax or RCA, component) that are sticking out of your TV. The only drawback I've seen is that many TVs still only have 1 or 2 HDMI inputs, and HDMI switch boxes can be pricey.

[BRUTALITY752]

dude when i go my tv off of ebay for $450.. i bought from a different guy an HDMI cable for a penny with $4 shipping. u cant beat that and it yes it is a noticable awesome difference

[StoneyPS3]

People who say they don't notice the difference really need to have there eyes shot or something. I'd never really played in SD till Monday (in Spain now and no HDTV) and raaa I cant take the grainy picture anymore help meeeeeee.

Go with HDMI cable I say if you only got component, It's not a great great deal but certainly helps and HDMI is digital where as component is analogue.

[Speedjunky92]

HDMI > SD
its a must for nex gen (this gen watever)

[rader023]

yes I heard that HDMI allows 1080p and component was 1080i I believe.

Plus much easier to move things around with HDMI plug and pray!

Sweet aquabats profile pic......

[rader023]

I plan on investing in a 26" 720p LCD HDTV, a Sony Bravia. I want to know if an HDMI cable will make a noticble difference in an audio or video quality, and subsequently if it is worth dishing out the extra cash for such a small size TV. And if it is worth it, a suggestion on cheap cables and where I can purchase/order them from.

Yes and monoprice.com. Get a 1.3a HDMI for $6. Any they have crazy colors too, lol

[mcav]

What rader 023 just said.

Monorpice for HDMI - For the - and I know it's a cliche...win!

[Beodude123]

People who say they don't notice the difference really need to have there eyes shot or something. I'd never really played in SD till Monday (in Spain now and no HDTV) and raaa I cant take the grainy picture anymore help meeeeeee.

Go with HDMI cable I say if you only got component, It's not a great great deal but certainly helps and HDMI is digital where as component is analogue.


You have inspired me to do a comparison photo... I'll do it later, but I want to try and see what the difference will be.

[steakline]

it is worth the $10. I have first hand experience. Was at a friends house he has a nice TV and HD cable and I was like is this really HD then I saw the hdmi cable just laying there and I was like "you mind if I play with it and use the HDMI I did and it was like a new tv. I was blown away the Picture was 100 times better no black bars.

[Illusion]

I haven't really researched much about this topic, but from what I've read on many websites is that HDMI is much better than the other video cables.

[StoneyPS3]

You have inspired me to do a comparison photo... I'll do it later, but I want to try and see what the difference will be.

well put it this way I hardly used my PS3 for the last week cos of a SDTV it is killing my gaming, Get me home to my god damn 42inch Samsung.

[Beodude123]

My SXRD can handle 1080p through component. I wasn't sure if it would, but I clicked on the resolution, and it accepted it. Now it displays 1080p on the top right corner.

[Sentinel]

Component can do 1080p. It's just due to HDCP. Again, cable doesn't alter the information being sent through the wire unless there is a strong RF signal and magnet and both are prone to it. Plus he is talking about a native 720p (1366x768) HDTV so that argument is irrelevant. Although HDMI is much more cleaner but I don't think he has DTS-HD MA, Dolby TrueHD, or Multi-Channel LPCM capable receiver.

[bubano]

Don't see how people would choose anything else? Easiest and best what else do you want?

[jamesyfx]

Go into an electronics store. Most of them have 3 identical TV's next to each other.

One with Composite, one with Component, and one with HDMI.

HDMI is noticeably better.

[Metfanant]

Go into an electronics store. Most of them have 3 identical TV's next to each other.

One with Composite, one with Component, and one with HDMI.

HDMI is noticeably better.


never seen that setup in ANY electronics store....and frankly i doubt you can see the difference between PQ between HDMI and good Component cables...

[nuffmon]

HDMI is one plug, component is five. Thats good enough reason for me. Will you notice with a 26" 720p TV? Probably not too much, but if you are going to spend money on a cable then get a HDMI.

[jamesyfx]

never seen that setup in ANY electronics store....and frankly i doubt you can see the difference between PQ between HDMI and good Component cables...

Well I work in one and I see it every day, and there is a difference. :) And it's not negligible either.

If you haven't seen any yet, either your local stores are small or are lagging behind a bit. Because they are pushing High Definition in all electronics stores in my area. TV's and things have completely new sets of displays everywhere you go.

[JoNJoN]

You might not really notice a difference between component and HDMI with a 26" LCD but for $10 towards an HDMI cable (monoprice FTW) its worth it for the loss of clutter.

I have a 40" LCD and I definitely did notice a difference in image quality going from component to HDMI. The image just seems clearer, sharper, and brighter than before.