HDMI
* HDMI Cables
HDMI has high Definition Digital Video and Digital Audio. Different versions offer different levels of support for Audio and Video Signals, but all versions are capable of ATSC video standard resolutions, 8-channel, 192kHz, uncompressed digital audio and the DVD related compressed formats (Dolby Digital and DTS)
For information on HDMI 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a and 1.3, please see the HDMI.ORG FAQ.
HDMI is used on Cable TV, FIOS and Satellite STB's (Set Top Boxes) , Receivers, Display devices such as HDTV's, LCD's, Projectors, Plasmas, DVD players, Blu Ray Players, HD DVD players, the Playstation 3 and the new version of the Xbox 360.
The Good:
HDMI is the new standard like it or not, you need it!
When using devices that support it, you can take care of both the audio and video connections with a single cable.
HDMI is continually being updated with new features while still remaining backwards compatible with old versions.
The small size allows more connectors in a limited space such as on the back of your Receiver allowing a Receiver to have on-board HDMI switching.
The Bad:
The connector has no locking mechanism so it is easily pulled out by accident.
HDCP copy protection does not allow conversion to analog for compatibility with older HDTV's and other displays.
The Ugly:
Incompatibility issues descended like a plague on "early adopters". Since HDMI 1.1 came out in 2004 and problems still persist with even some new equipment, we are all still somewhat early adopters. Before you go and get mad at HDMI, remember one thing - it is not really HDMI's fault. It is the various manufacturers problems implementing the HDCP encryption (copy protection) scheme who are generally causing the problems.
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DVI
- This can be either a Digital only connection as seen above, or a Combination Digital and analog connection. For Home Theater it is typically Digital only. See our DVI page for more information on DVI-I, DVI-D and DVI-A. Many HDTV's, DVD's and STB's (Set top Boxes) for Satellite (DSS) or Digital Cable TV have these connectors. Computer display monitors often have this connection as well, but if they do not support HDCP, they are not compatible with Source devices that have HDMI or DVI with HDCP. DVI is apable of high resolution 8-bit RGB video. Some of the large, new, Computer displays support extremely high resolution by using "dual link" connections.*DVI Cables
The Good:
Wide range of support for various resolutions depending on the source and display.
Locking connector with "thumb screws" for locking.
Possible support for either analog or digital video.
The Bad:
No audio support.
Very confusing due to support of digital and/or analog video - DVI-D, DVI-I, etc.
Many devices do not support HDCP, which causes massive confusion. Manufacturers are not always forthcoming about support of HDCP.
The Ugly:
Just because of its versatility and wide usage it is confusing as a bug. <-Note we did not mention women. ___________
Component Video
(analog Y-Pr-Pb) - This connection is available on most HDTV's and decent or better DVD players and "Set Top Boxes". Notice the Red, Green and Blue color coded connectors. They do not mean "Red, Green and Blue" and are not compatible with RGB (VGA computer displays, etc). Component Video is capable of all high definition resolutions, depending on the source and display capabilities. Component video in its analog form is being phased out for copy protection issues in high definition source devices.*Component Video Cables
The Good:
By taking advantage of human eyesights differing abilities to discern color detail and overall black/white detail, component video saves bandwidth and disk space without losing perceived detail.
Can have excellent video quality if equipment and cables are of good quality.
The Bad:
No Audio.
Three connectors.
RCA connections can be fairly easily accidently unplugged.
RCA connectors which are very often used are not really possibly perfectly "75 ohm" connections.
The Ugly:
No copy protection means that Hollywood is not into letting you use this for high definition video.
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S-Video
- Seperates the luminance (white level) and chrominance (color information) signals onto seperate cables and connections for a better possible video image than Composite (single video) video connections. Used on DVD's, TV's, Satellite receivers and Cable TV boxes. Also used on some Computers with TV outputs.*S-Video Cables
The Good:
Single connector.
If the source is S-Video and the Display is S-Video and you use a good S-Video cable it can look pretty good.
The Bad:
Not used for high definition video signals.
No Audio.
The single connector is crappy. It breaks easily, falls out very easily and is real hard to plug in, in the dark.
The Ugly:
With some equipment or with a crappy cable it may look no better or even worse than Composite video.
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Composite Video
- The old "AV" standard connector. This is color coded Yellow for Composite video.*Video Cables
The Good:
Easy to connect a single cable.
With good equipment and cables, and a really good signal, standard definition can look pretty nice.
The Bad:
No high definition support.
No Audio.
Easy to accidently unplug.
The Ugly:
Like, its so 1970's, dude.
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VGA - RGB - RGB/HV
- This could be RGBHV, or a "VGA" (HD15) varient (SVGA, XGA, WXGA, etc) connection. This is used on computer video cards, Projectors and some old HDTV's and Set topBoxes.*RGB (RGBHV) Cables
The Good:
One connection.
Thumb screw based locking connector.
Can be high definition.
The Bad:
Not very well supported anymore.
Easily broken by trying to plug it in upside down.
The Ugly:
Most HDTVs with this connector accept RGB rather than Component video so they require a transcoder/converter in order to connect them to a component video source.
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* Denotes links to our products
HDCP :
High-bandwidth Digital-Content Protection
See here for HDCP information.
Some may call it "Hollywood Dunces Create Problems" or "Have Disc Can't Play" but without it you will never get to have copy protected Discs of lovely high definition video or high resolution audio on those disks.
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