2. cables
  3. 1140317109

Directv HD: HDMI or component for best picture?

Hello all,
I own a true HD tv, and I am in the process of purchasing a Directv H2O high definition receiver and their HD programming.
I need help from actual owners of this receiver.
I cannot decide on which to purchase between component video cables or a HDMI cable to use with this receiver for the best video quality.
Questions:
1. When using this receiver, are the video differences between the component and HDMI outputs on it big, small, or about equal?
2. Which output seems better for viewing high definition broadcasts on Directv, and in what all ways?
3. Which output seems better for viewing Directv standard defintion broadcasts?
4. Are the Directv high definition broadcasts as high a quality as the ones I can currently receive with my outside terrestial antenna?
Thanks so much for your help.
daltonlanny
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Simple if you have a digital display (Plasma,LCD,DLP screen or projector) you need to go HDMI otherwise you will need to rely on your TV's scaler! Digital to Digital (1:1 scaling is preferred) over digital to analog and then analog to digital converted by your output device (yuk! typically unless you have a scaler..)

Chris
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,275 posts
 
There's really no reason not to try it both ways and see which you prefer.
shaqspack's avatar
shaqspack
91 posts
 
I have tried both with all else equal. In all honesty, I see little difference. I bought high end HDMI and they are great, but about same as = price component. One annoyance is HDMI is prone to falling out of jack while DVI, currently equivalent since no hdmi audio, stays put. If you are seeing little difference and wondering if you are nuts, you are not.
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
Does your TV do a side-by-side picture? Is so, try doing your own comparison. On my NEC 50XM5 plasma I tried this and the digital was superior due to the NEC's video processor

I find that satellite receivers don't do video or audio processing as well an an external or higher end monitor. Also, if your OTA (off the air) reception is good then this signal is often better than Satellite.
bostonjim46
8 posts
 
I have Direct tv HD and I prefer the HDMI connection to the component connection.
More to discover