 HDTVs have numerous video connection options. Getting it right versus wrong is like the difference between night and day in viewing pleasure. So, if you're not totally certain about your setup, spend a few minutes to get it right by Reading More in TechDigs.net How-To.
You bought that new HDTV hoping to see the 'perfect picture' that exemplifies HDTV. However, not all content viewed on an HD display is equal. Even on your best picture, you may not be getting all you can out of your HDTV. The type of connection you choose to send the video signal from your set-top box, DVD player, game machine and other devices significantly impacts how your HD display will look. HDTVs normally have a number of different video connections (low to high quality): | Composite video: a one-signal analog video standard which carries grayscale and color over two connectors inside the wire. Y represents luminance or brightness. U and V signals carry the color. This is the lowest-quality input. Its use is not recommended on HD displays. |  | | S-Video: a one-signal analog video standard which carries the grayscale and modulated color with two grounds over four connectors inside the wire. At 480i, this is a low-quality input. Unless its your only option, it should not be used on HD displays. |  | | Component video: a three-signal analog video standard which carries the red, green and blue over three separate wires. Capable of up to 1080p, this is an HDTV-capable input. Because it is not digital, it is the recommended option only if DVI or HDMI are unavailable. |  | | VGA (Visual Graphics Array): an analog computer display standard created in the 1980s, originally at 640x480. Improved over the years, today's VGA connectors can support substantially more than that -- even beyond HDTV standard (1920x1080). While some HDTV displays contain VGA connectors, because VGA connectors are analog, you'll want to choose DVI or HDMI over VGA when given the option. |  | | DVI (Digital Visual Interface) video: a digital standard for connecting displays to computers and other electronic devices (like cable boxes, DVD players, etc.) in order to provide digital high-bandwidth (7.4+ gigabits) at a maximum of 2.6 megapixels -- which is larger than the HDTV standard of 1920x1080. Since DVI is high-quality HDTV-capable digital input, it or HDMI is the preferred connection for your HD setup. Most HD displays use the DVI-D cable. |  | | HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) video: a more recent digital standard for high-bandwidth visual communication that adds digital quality audio to the interface. With the use of a simple adapter, DVI and HDMI devices work well together. Since HDMI is high-quality HDTV-capable digital input, it or DVI is the preferred connection for your HD setup. |  | In reading through the descriptions above, it's clear that you should use a digital (either DVI or HDMI) connector unless your playback device doesn't have one. Below is a quick rundown of connections and the playback devices that support them. Devices that generally support digital connections include: - HDTV digital cable set-top boxes: if your cable box doesn't have one, ask your cable provider -- they can usually provide a new box that does have one at no charge.
- HD-DVD and Blue-ray players: all of these players support DVI or HDMI.
- XBox 360: it's an option for the newest XBox.
Devices that often support digital connections include: - Upscaling DVD players: DVD players which improve the quality of the DVD picture up to 1080p. Nearly all of these have DVI or HDMI.
- Computers: most new graphics cards and computers support DVI, and some support HDMI.
- HD camcorders: some of the newer HD camcorders have special cables which allow them to connect to HDMI or DVI.
Devices that generally don't support digital connections include: - DVD players: most standard DVD players only have component, S-Video, and composite video connections. Use component video for DVDs that don't have DVI or HDMI.
- XBox: the original XBox does not support better than component video.
- Playstation 2: The PS2 doesn't support digital video connections. Purchase a special PS2 component cable at consumer electronic outlets like Amazon and Best Buy to get the most out of your PS2.
- VHS VCR (yes, some people still us them): do not support digital video connections. Most will only support composite video, some support component. Use the best quality connection available on your specific VCR.
- Camcorders: Unless you have a new HD camcorder, your camcorder is unlikely to support better than S-Video. Use the best quality connection available on your specific camcorder.
For the majority of people, the most important playback devices in their home theater are the HDTV set-top box, DVD player and a game machine or computer. For these devices, I suggest you try to get them all to digital. Since most HDTV set-top boxes support digital connections, that's as easy as buying an HDMI/DVI cable. Generally, only upscaling DVD players support digital video connections. While devices range from $75 to thousands of dollars, upgrading to even the lower-end of the upscaling DVDs can provide a significant improvement if your current DVD supports only progressive scan. (We'll cover upscaling DVDs in a future article.) For computers and game machines, it depends on the device. The third generation XBox 360 and forthcoming PS3 both support digital video connections, the second generation units don't. If you frequently use your computer on your HDTV (playing Half-Life 2, for example), then upgrading your video card to support DVI may be worth it. If your computer doesn't support DVI and you are lucky enough to have a VGA connection on your HDTV, then using that connection provides good results. If you don't have enough inputs on your HD display, or if you are using your receiver to switch DVI/HDMI and don't have enough inputs, dedicated digital video switchers like the Gefen 4x1 HDMI Switcher can solve your problem.
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