Component, DVI and HDMI connections

[Roger]

With HD-DVD and Blu-ray players making their way into our homes and new HDTV buyers experiencing first-time connection woes, I thought a HDTV connection primer might be helpful for some of our new readers. The three most common HDTV connections currently in use are: Component, DVI, and HDMI.

Component cables are easily identifiable by their red, green, and blue bands toward the end of their connection plugs. Component was widely used as the default HD connection in first and second generation HDTV equipment. Many manufacturers continue to support component video connections on newer equipment as well.

One thing to keep in mind with component video connections is that even though they are capable of transmitting HDTV, they aren’t capable of HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliance.

If you’re running cabling for that new HDTV entertainment system, I strongly advise you to run a DVI or HDMI connection in addition to that component cable. Certain HD sources and equipment may not deliver full resolution HDTV over component, due to the cables lack of HDCP compliance.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) uses a rectangular multi-pinned connector with screw-down binding posts to ensure a solid connection. DVI was originally used by the computer industry but DVI is more than capable of handling high definition at full resolution with HDCP, in consumer electronics. Keep in mind however that DVI carries video information only.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) on the other hand supports high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio all on a single cable. If your display supports HDMI then by all means use it, if at all possible but don’t fall into marketing hype that would lead you to believe that HDMI is superior to DVI in video transmission.

In addition to being able to carry audio and video on a single cable, HDMI also supports the transmission of the new Dolby Digital + and DTS-HD surround sound formats.

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