HDMI connectors

[Sam Mills 51]

I'm looking for a little technical help here ...

I just jumped into HDTV (34-inch Sony XBR ... all the dependability and true color of the traditional CRT at a fairly reasonable price). Anyway, I've been reading up on HDMI connectors. My cable box doesn't have one, but there are DVD players on the market at a decent price that have the capability.

Does anyone else have it, and is it worth the extra bones? My current DVD player, a pretty low-priced piece, has only RCA connectors.

Have at it ...

 

[beefncheddar]

Not knowing your financial situation, or how much of a videophile you are, I'd say stay away. Having said that, I'd change my mind if you've got a money tree in your backyard and use your DVD player every night.

 

[NDub]

I used to sell HD **** at Best Buy for a year, plus I have an HDTV and use HDMI.

I won't get technical...

HDMI is the only cable that carries a true HD video and audio (not 5.1 surround) signal. Component (Red, blue, green) carries digital video, but no audio or HD. RCA (Red, White, Yellow) can hardly carry a digital signal. Neither can S-video or coaxial.

Your HDTV is only as good as its source (DVD player, HD cable/satellite) and what carries the source (HDMI cable). So if you want a good HD picture, then invest the $100 in an HDMI cable. Go with Monster b/c it's guaranteed for life, uses triple-layer shielding and will never wear out or let electrical interference **** with your signal. I've got the 4-foot Monster 600 from my Upconvert DVD player to my TV.

Upconvert DVD players take standard definition DVDs and upconvert them to an HD signal. It's NOT true HD like the $500 720P Toshibas or $1,000 1080p Blu-Rays from Samsung or Sony. So don't expect fireworks or a perfect picture, but expect a good picture - better than a Wal-Mart special. Make sure your settings on the DVD player are set to 720p or 1080i upconversion - not 480p or 480i.

Also, your provider (cable or satellite) should let you switch to an HD box. For satellite it'll cost you about 100 bucks to own it. For cable, it'll cost 5-10/month to rent it. Your choice there. Satellite is always going to be better for HD becuase all of it's channels are digital, unlike "digital" cable boxes.

 

[OTD]

I don't know what HDMI is . . . but if it's the best, I gotta have it.

Right now I've got component video for the video and optical for the audio. Is the HDMI better? How much is it?

 

[NDub]

What is your source of HD?

And is your optical running from that source to a surround sound system?

 

[Longball131]

New to Sportsjournalist.com but a veteran when it comes to audio/video equipment like NDub working at Circuit City for almost six years.

Sam Mills: NDub said everything right when he was talking about what the HDMI connector/cable is and what it does. Get it. It's $100, sometimes a little more depending on how long you need it. Recognize if the TV has one or two HDMI connections. Most of the TV's have one HDMI connection, at least when I was working. In that case you are going to have to choose which source (TV or DVD player) you want to use the HDMI connection with. It's an easy selection, which ever you use more, TV or dvd player. Depending on where you live, the DVR HD boxes will have the HDMI connection. If you have the option, and again the money, go for it. You'll thank me and won't be able to live without it. Also, Ndub was also correct about satellite over cable. They have much better HD offers and also have perfect digital quality, oh and they're on average $25 cheaper a month than cable. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions.

 

[Dirk Legume]

LB,

Can you split an HDMI cable off the TV so that you feed both the DVD player and the TV?

 

[OTD]

What is your source of HD?

And is your optical running from that source to a surround sound system?

Right now, it's optical from the DVD player to the 5.1 surround system and RCA wires from the Dish HD DVR box to the surround system. Yes, I should upgrade that--the reason I haven't is because it's a gigantic pain in the ass to hook up new lines to the surround receiver, plus it's an older model and I'm not sure I've got another port back there.

 

[T2]

I don't know what HDMI is . . . but if it's the best, I gotta have it.

Right now I've got component video for the video and optical for the audio. Is the HDMI better? How much is it?

In my case, I'm looking at either component HD from my cable box or HDMI from an antenna and HD receiver. The HDMI is noticeably more pleasing, though it's hard to say exactly why. It looks to me as though the darker shades are richer.

 

[Rosie]

I now know how computer-phobes feel when nerds like me talk computers. :-\

 

[Dirk Legume]

Rosie! You are NOT a nerd. You are a helpful soul from the backwoods.

I will not stand for that sort of talk. Wont stand for it.

That grounding thing you are so fond of can work both ways you know ;)

 

[Sam Mills 51]

What is your source of HD?

And is your optical running from that source to a surround sound system?

Source of HD is cable ... my apartment complex prohibits dishes and I have nowhere to hide one.

TV has only one HDMI plug ... and the cable box doesn't have one (used monster cable to maximize the connection), so I'll use mine for the DVD player. I'll use my cable more, but since the decision has basically been taken out of my hands.

Thanks. Good news is my stepfather has an HDMI cable that he's already said I'm welcome to. I'll have to get a new DVD player, but a good Sony with the needed outlet can be had for under $140 including tax.

mustardbased, I'm not a videophile extraordinaire, but since I've sunk the money into HDTV, I might as well make the best use of what I can. My roommate probably thinks I'm an overboard lunatic ... and I know he's a skinflint since he wants this stuff, then is trying to make me split a whole $7/monthly for the HD upgrade when he didn't spend a dime on this. (I need a new roommate ... )

 

[markvid]

What is your source of HD?

And is your optical running from that source to a surround sound system?

Source of HD is cable ... my apartment complex prohibits dishes and I have nowhere to hide one.

TV has only one HDMI plug ... and the cable box doesn't have one (used monster cable to maximize the connection), so I'll use mine for the DVD player. I'll use my cable more, but since the decision has basically been taken out of my hands.

Thanks. Good news is my stepfather has an HDMI cable that he's already said I'm welcome to. I'll have to get a new DVD player, but a good Sony with the needed outlet can be had for under $140 including tax.

mustardbased, I'm not a videophile extraordinaire, but since I've sunk the money into HDTV, I might as well make the best use of what I can. My roommate probably thinks I'm an overboard lunatic ... and I know he's a skinflint since he wants this stuff, then is trying to make me split a whole $7/monthly for the HD upgrade when he didn't spend a dime on this. (I need a new roommate ... )

Sam, legally, your apartment complex cannot stop you from getting a dish.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

What is your source of HD?

And is your optical running from that source to a surround sound system?

Source of HD is cable ... my apartment complex prohibits dishes and I have nowhere to hide one.

TV has only one HDMI plug ... and the cable box doesn't have one (used monster cable to maximize the connection), so I'll use mine for the DVD player. I'll use my cable more, but since the decision has basically been taken out of my hands.

Thanks. Good news is my stepfather has an HDMI cable that he's already said I'm welcome to. I'll have to get a new DVD player, but a good Sony with the needed outlet can be had for under $140 including tax.

mustardbased, I'm not a videophile extraordinaire, but since I've sunk the money into HDTV, I might as well make the best use of what I can. My roommate probably thinks I'm an overboard lunatic ... and I know he's a skinflint since he wants this stuff, then is trying to make me split a whole $7/monthly for the HD upgrade when he didn't spend a dime on this. (I need a new roommate ... )

Sam, legally, your apartment complex cannot stop you from getting a dish.

Maybe so, but I'm not going to let some kid accidentally knock the dish down, either. This isn't a permanent residence and this paper is almost certainly not my destination paper, so I'll worry about this at my next stop.

Seriously, I believe that dish is better (my parents had it for a few years before opting for cable because of slightly better cost, less maintenance and less weather-related interruptions), but just putting everything together, the HD signal is a massive upgrade and the 1080i CRT has upgraded most of the other channels. I'll strive for perfection when I have more money and no need for a roommate ... or stop being a loner. :-\

 

[NDub]

What is your source of HD?

And is your optical running from that source to a surround sound system?

Right now, it's optical from the DVD player to the 5.1 surround system and RCA wires from the Dish HD DVR box to the surround system. Yes, I should upgrade that--the reason I haven't is because it's a gigantic pain in the ass to hook up new lines to the surround receiver, plus it's an older model and I'm not sure I've got another port back there.

OK. Here is what I would do based on what you've just told me. It'll make things less complex.

Run your optical from your HD DVR box to your surround sound system. If you have another optical input, run a different optical from your DVD player to your surround sound system. If you only have one optical input, you should have a digital coaxial input (it should be orange, possibly black circular input), which does the same thing. Use the digital coaxial from either your HD DVR box or DVD player. It doesn't really matter unless your going over 6-feet.

Run your HDMI cable from your HD DVR box to your TV. Don't worry about running your video stuff (HDMI or anything else) into your surround sound system. That actually downgrades the signal because it has to convert it. I'm guessing you only have one HDMI input on your TV. If so, then you have three options if you want to hook your DVD player and HD DVR up to your TV: a) buy an HDMI switch box for about 130 bucks and two more HDMI cables to complete the Y-shape; b) switch the single HDMI cable back and forth from your HDDVR box and DVD player for whatever one you want to watch; or c) waste 70 bucks on component cables for your video signal.

 

[NDub]

LB,

Can you split an HDMI cable off the TV so that you feed both the DVD player and the TV?

I know I'm not LB, but I can help. The only way to split the HDMI is if you buy an HDMI switch box. So you'll run an HDMI from the DVD player and a different HDMI from your satellite/cable box into the HDMI switch box. From the switch box you'll run another HDMI cable to your single HDMI input on your TV.

Think a Y-shape. Switch box is about 130 bucks, HDMIs run 60-150 depending on brand/quality and length.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

Dredging this one from the depths ...

I bought a LG 20-inch LCD HDTV last week for my bedroom (I share a house, so I wouldn't have room for anything much bigger for a while to come). I hooked up my XBox 360 through the component cables, then used the HDMI that came with the XBox Elite to connect the HD DVR cable box.

Problem is, I'll get a delay in audio, sometimes as long as a second. Occasionally I can change the channel and then back, and it works, but that's not a sure fix. The only component cables I have go with the Xbox, and it isn't interchangable with other sources (it has its own pin connector at the Xbox end). And it sounds like the HDMI gives better video (I had it connected to the Xbox for a couple of hours before hooking up the cable box, and the difference between HDMI and component on the Xbox is slight but still noticible).

Ideas on how to fix the delay? And is it worth the extra cash to get an HDMI splitter and another cable if I can fix it?

 

[Smokey33]

From everything I've read the $100 HDMI cable is a gargantuan waste of money. I got one for $35 at Wal-Mart and it works fine. If I wasn't in a hurry, I would've ordered the $7 one online.

Link

What this means to you is that there really is no such thing as a "better" HDMI cable. Either an HDMI cable works or it does not. If it doesn't work, you will immediately know it. Your screen will freeze, or it will skip frames, or it will show big square blocks instead of a picture. It will be completely obvious that there is a problem. In that case you need to throw the cable away.

 

[The Big Ragu]

I can't really say whether the Circuit City alums are right because I heard such conflicting things when I was buying my TV set. Yes, HDMI carries a digital signal that component or S video doesn't. But a lot of people told me I'd never be able to tell the difference from component, so from a practical standpoint, it was a waste.

I ultimately decided that if I was blowing my wad to get a TV set I can't afford, I might as well not potentially limit the TV's capabilities, so I invested in the monster cable.

Sam, not sure if this is the case where you are, but I had an HD cable box without an HDMI connector. I called up the cable company, though, and they had newer HDMI boxes that I was able to trade it in for. All I had to do was ask. Did you try that?

 

[trifectarich]

I'm not technical in the least, but I had my HD and surround sound hooked up about six weeks ago. The technician stressed spending the extra bucks on a certain HDMI, and I did. I'm unable to verify any difference in what things would look like had I gone the cheaper route, but I'm happy with the quality we're getting, so I feel as though it was worth it.