Audio Equipment and Home Theater Audio : question about HDMI and hook up

question about HDMI and hook up

On an HD TV, can the regular channels (not HD) look better with an HDMI hook up. Right now I have regular wires (3 prongs that go into Y,Pr, &Pb) I don't know what they are called. The HD stations look good, but my regular stations look horrible. So, I was wondering if an HDMI hook up will make the regular stations look better on an HD TV? Thanks

"It's pronounced,Bouquet!"

Re: question about HDMI and hook up

An HDMI cable will not improve the look of stations that are broadcasting in a lower resolution. However, you may actually see an improvement in some HD channels. With component cables (your current setup), you are typically limited to 720p. Some HD stations broadcast in 1080i (no 1080p broadcasts yet). Depending on your equipment, you may need HDMI to view a 1080i signal in its native resolution.

Gort, Klaatu barada nikto

Re: question about HDMI and hook up

That info was very helpful, thank you. I had no idea what the 1080i was. On my cable set up, there are several choices for resolution output (480i,720p,1080i, etc.) I have it set to all of them. Is that correct? What is the diferrence with i & p? Also, I have a DVD player/recorder hooked up to the TV, but the HD channels are not clear when I switch the source to the DVD. I assumed that I have to run component wires from the cable box to the DVD, then the DVD to the TV. ???? or use a spliter. Also, I noticed component wires are blue,red,green (they go into Y,PB,PR) but I have these other wires that are Yellow,red,white (Video,left,right) Can interchange them? (are they the same type of wires, just different colors?)

Thanks so much for your help


"It's pronounced,Bouquet!"

Re: question about HDMI and hook up


On my cable set up, there are several choices for resolution output (480i,720p,1080i, etc.) I have it set to all of them. Is that correct?
Having the cable box set to "all" tells the box to not modify the signal it receives when it transfers the signal to the TV. As long as the TV is able to convert the signal it receives to an adequate display, then all is fine. However, it is possible (but not likely) that the cable box has a better built in converter for upscaling/downscaling the signal. I would set the cable box output to the native resolution of the HDTV to see if there is any improvement in the picture.

What is the diferrence with i & p?
i = interlaced
p = progressive
Interlaced signals transmit each viewable frame in two parts: odd number scan lines followed by even number scan lines. Progressive signals are transmitted such that the entire frame is scanned in one pass. Progressive is considered the better signal since it is less likely to suffer from motion blur.

Also, I have a DVD player/recorder hooked up to the TV, but the HD channels are not clear when I switch the source to the DVD. I assumed that I have to run component wires from the cable box to the DVD, then the DVD to the TV. ???? or use a spliter.
When viewing the signal through your DVD player, the signal is downgraded to the player's native resolution (typically 480p) before it is output to the TV. If possible, you should run two independent connections from your cable box to both your DVD player and your TV.

Also, I noticed component wires are blue,red,green (they go into Y,PB,PR) but I have these other wires that are Yellow,red,white (Video,left,right) Can interchange them? (are they the same type of wires, just different colors?)
While component cables (RGB) and composite cables (YRW) have the same connectors, they don't necessarily have the same signal properties. Composite cables often have different shielding characteristics for the audio (RW) cables compared to the video (Y) cable to minimize interference between the two types of signals. While a composite cable can be used as a component cable, you may see interference artifacts because of the uneven shielding.



Gort, Klaatu barada nikto

Re: question about HDMI and hook up

Thanks so much for you help and knowledge. This clears up so much for me.

I just looked at what I have hooked up (really looked at it, LOL). The antenna from the cable box is going to the DVD and that antenna signal is going from the DVD to the TV. (This may be why I get a brief blank screen when I switch channels) I have component wires going from the cable box to the TV (Source 1). I have another set of component wires going from the DVD to the TV (source 2). My PS2 is hooked up with composite cables (source 3)

When I switch through sources, I have 4 instead of 3. Source 1 (composite cable to TV)Source 2 (DVD), source 3 (PS2) and source 4(The TV)??? I think source 4 is the antenna, IDK, OMG,LOL

The only picture that has HD quality comes through on Source 1 (The direct connection with the component wires from the cable box to the TV).

All the other sources have horrible (480) pictures.


If possible, you should run two independent connections from your cable box to both your DVD player and your TV.



Is that how I get the HD through the DVD? How would I be able to do that? I guess I have to buy a splitter, LOL idk. I can't figure this out,LOL
>>>
also, Should I get an HDMI wire instead of using component wires?

Do you see anything wrong with my set up? Thanks so much for your help

Ria

"It's pronounced,Bouquet!"

Re: question about HDMI and hook up


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If possible, you should run two independent connections from your cable box to both your DVD player and your TV.
---------------------------------
Is that how I get the HD through the DVD?
Your current setup seems fine. I thought you were running everything through your DVD player, but you already have the type of setup I recommended. You will only get an HD signal through components that are rated to interpret HD signals. In your case, you can only view HD broadcasts directly from your cable box. The signal going to your DVD player is being downgraded because the DVD player isn't capable of receiving/translating/passing HD signals.

Should I get an HDMI wire instead of using component wires?
This depends on your TV. If it is capable of 1080i/p, then you should definitely get an HDMI cable. Component cables are limited to 720p as a piracy prevention method. However, if your TV has a maximum resolution of 720p, then there is no need to get HDMI at this time.


Gort, Klaatu barada nikto

Re: question about HDMI and hook up

thanks so much, that clarifies everything. all my Best!

"It's pronounced,Bouquet!"
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