Just like DIGITAL isn't always better than ANALOG and one FIBER OPTIC cable isn't always better than HALF A DOZEN RCA cables, HDMI isn't always better than COMPONENT.
It all has to do with WHICH PIECE OF EQUIPMENT has the better DIGITAL VIDEO DECODER inside itself...The HDMI keep signals DIGITAL until they get to your TELEVISION...This makes your TV do all of the DECODING...Then if you use COMPONENT cables, your OTHER EQUIPMENT has to use ITS OWN decoder...Are ya' with me so far?
Now the problem is this: If your DVD player has a BETTER decoder than your TV then an HDMI connection will actually look WORSE than a COMPONENT connection...Whether it's your DVD, HD box, or HD DVR...What are we going to do?
I would try a connection BOTH ways on your HDMI-capable HDTV, switching back and forth to see which way looks better...You might be surprised by the outcome...But don't just rush out and buy a bunch of $100 cables because THEY tell you to.
But let it NOW be said that HDMI isn't completely useless...There ARE thing we need it for...The first of which is the "1080p" (twice as good as current HD broadcasts) signal that HD-DVD (and Blu-ray) players are capable of producing...You must, of course, actually OWN an HDTV that can show a "1080p" signal...Currently, ONLY the HDMI cable can send that HIGH QUALITY picture to your TV (COMPONENT will only pass "1080i")
The other TWO things you might want an HDMI cable for is an UP-CONVERSION DVD PLAYER or a RECEIVER THAT CAN DECODE "LPCM" signals..."Up-conversion" DVD players turn regular DVD video into for-real "Hi-Def"...They do an OKAY job, but your HDTV has it's OWN upconverter in it, too...You might run it BOTH ways to see who's UP-CONVERTER is better.
The LAST thing you might need an HDMI cable for are those crazy new Hi-Def AUDIO TRACKS on the HD-DVD (and Blu-ray) players...Even with capable receivers and HD disc players requiring just one HDMI cable for sound, try the analog connection too, just to be sure...You're HD disc player might have a better decoder than you receiver...Remember 100% Uncompressed Digital Audio"?
In the mean time, stick with good old RCA cables if you don't have a "1080p" HDTV, HD-DVD player or "up-conversion" DVD player...And remember to use "RG6" capped with RCA connectors for ZERO SIGNAL LOSS...Remember the "Budget Cables" link?
