any good guides about HDMI -v- Component ?

jasonwatkins

Basically the reason I ask is that somewhere down the line, i'd be interested in getting a blu-ray player.

my tv is a proline 32" HDTV but it only has a single HDMI port, which is currently occupied by my Sky HD box.

It also does have a component connection as well so I wanted to do a bit of research to see what the best option would be.

I'm not some hardcore audio/video-phile so the finer points of 1080i against 1080p or anything like that wouldn't really matter to me.

i'd just want a decent quality HD output overall - much like I get with the Sky Box (which currently outputs at 1080i).

I can connect that to the generic surround system i've got and it's all fine - pretty happy with it.

So if anyone knows of any idiot guides or a good place to start reading then i'd be most grateful - cheers

aliEnRIK

Well sky HD obviously needs HDMI to be in HD. Blu ray also needs to output in HD else it would be pointless having it. 'Some' component outputs will output HD but theyre generally few and far between so its likely your going to be stuck with 2 HDMI devices.
Youve a few options really but none are particularly what youll want to hear
1 ~ new tv with more inputs
2 ~ splitter box (2 into 1). This is probably best for you as its by far the cheapest method. BUT, there will almost cetainly be a slight drop in quality due to all the 'digital jitter' involved in using one
3 ~ Buy an AV AMP with at least 2 HDMI sockets IN and one OUT

If you do find a bluray player with HD component out then it might work (But its also dependant on wether or not the tv allows HD through its component). Some players are actually better quality through component (Assuming good grade cables are used). But generally speaking HDMI will produce abetter picture. Also take into consideration that component doesnt allow sound to travel so youll still need a seperate amp to hear sound (Or its possible the bluray player allows 'phono outs' to 'phono ins' on the tv)

Sky HD ~ seems to be differences in makes of boxes etc. Some people have found SD (Standard Picture, ie - not HD) picures look best when the setting is set to 'auto' (The tv 'upscales'). others have found SD looks best when set to 1080i (Sky box upscales). Try both for a week to decide which (If any) you prefer

timbim_2

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Well sky HD obviously needs HDMI to be in HD. Blu ray also needs to output in HD else it would be pointless having it. 'Some' component outputs will output HD but theyre generally few and far between so its likely your going to be stuck with 2 HDMI devices.

I've got a 40in LG in 1080i from an Xbox 360 over component fairly happily, component is perfectly capable of going all the way.

jasonwatkins

i do think i'm going to end up having to get some kind of splitter.

i'm getting a VGA cable for my Xbox, and I guess my hard drive media player can go in the component output.

I know there's a decent auto splitter in argos for about £20 quid

jasonwatkins

i saw that .. get paid tomorrow and if i can wangle the finances i might get it.

although to be horribly fussy, i'd personally prefer an auto switcher