New Poll: Do you use HDMI or Component

[donaudio]

I have been having trouble with my HDMI output. It worked previously.

[ah30k]

I actually use both. My Pioneer surround sound receiver does a nice job of HDMI switching (HDCP handshaking etc) so I can run HDMI to one room and component to the other room.

[larrs]

I use component because I choose to. I run my Tivo to two displays (a plasma and a projector) in the same room and a multi-in, two out HDMI switcher is cost prohibitive, so I use a five in, two out component switcher instead. My choice.

[Jotas]

I use a combo of HDMI and optical out. Since I use my old ES receiver for all sound. I used to use it as my video/audio source selector but with the purchase of my new HDTV I unfortunately only use it for audio switching now, since it doesn't have component or HDMI inputs or outputs.

[aaronwt]

I don't use component outs any more. I stopped using them 1.5 years ago. I have 15 components with HDMI. I've never had any problems with the S3 and HDMI out.

[cokyq]

I cannot vote because your poll does not provide a correct option for me. My TV has DVI input which I could use with a converter cable with an HDMI on one end and a DVI on the other, but...

My 5 year old Denon 5800 only supports component input, thus I use component for video to my receiver, and TOSLINK for audio.

[tase2]

I am using HDMI exclusively. I do get an occasional "green screen", but I'm still happy with the one cable system :)

[Jerry_K]

Please put in the option for both. I have one hooked up HDMI and the other with both HDMI and Component.

[nhaigh]

I was using component because HDMI was causing my TiVo to hang up. Now I have to use it because I only have two HDMI input on my TV and TiVo is only 1080i so doesn't need HDMI.

[Sauron]

Componet and Optical... As my RX-V2500 doesn't have HDMI, and I'm not popping another $1000+/- just to get HDMI with that receiver only being about 2 years old....

Mark

[Revolutionary]

How about "I use component because I have another component hooked up on HDMI" -- as in, just about every upscaling DVD player or next-gen player on the market.

[ashu]

Componet and Optical... As my RX-V2500 doesn't have HDMI, and I'm not popping another $1000+/- just to get HDMI with that receiver only being about 2 years old....

Mark

I have the non RX version of that (the Yamaha HTR 5790) and decided I'd use the receiver for the foreseeable future (with optical audio) but still use HDMI via a nice monoPrice 5x1 HDMI switch (I have a multitude of HDMI/DVI sources - the S3, Moto 6412 DVR, PCs pushing 1920x1080 and the cheesy DVD upconverter). Great compromise solution, if your TV handles HDMI renegotiation well (quickly and flawlessly)!

[BruceShultes]

My S3 works fine with HDMI.

Both my SA8300YD and HR10-250 had problems with HDMI after a few days.

[jtlytle]

My description isnt in that poll. I use component to hook to Comcast HD DVR. I use Video-Audio RCA to hook to my TiVo.

I am wondering, do TiVo Series 3 have HDMI output?

[rdrrepair]

At one time, I only used the HDMI thru a DVI adapter but it became unstable with the Component cables hooked to another TV.

I now have 2 sets of component cables hooked to a video multiplier running to 2 TV's. I really can't see much of a difference between HDMI and Component.

If I had MRV this wouldn't be such an issue.

If I ran only the HDMI I would still have problems but they were few and far between.

Very happy since the 8.1 update...

[Leo_N]

I actually use both. My Pioneer surround sound receiver does a nice job of HDMI switching (HDCP handshaking etc) so I can run HDMI to one room and component to the other room.

I am using only HDMI now, but will be switching to both soon. My two S3s are in adjacent rooms, so I'll be able to get a type of MRV this way. They are setup on seperate remote channels so a properly hung piece of glass or mirror will give an easy bounce to the other room for remote control without any type of IR->RF->IR-blaster messing around.

[SugarBowl]

I use component, and i have never tried HDMI

[tgibbs]

I've switched to HDMI, because my CRT HDTV glitches with screens that have a lot of white (like the intro to Numb3rs) with component input, but has no problem with DVI.

[ah30k]

I am using only HDMI now, but will be switching to both soon. My two S3s are in adjacent rooms, so I'll be able to get a type of MRV this way. They are setup on seperate remote channels so a properly hung piece of glass or mirror will give an easy bounce to the other room for remote control without any type of IR->RF->IR-blaster messing around.I got a $40 Terk IR repeater that works fairly well.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=988570

[ashu]

I've switched to HDMI, because my CRT HDTV glitches with screens that have a lot of white (like the intro to Numb3rs) with component input, but has no problem with DVI.

Your CRT may implement dynamic contrast enhancement (DNIe by Samsung and other similar terms) over component inputs - a lot of HDTVs do this. Perhaps it can be turned off. (Not trying to dissuade you from using HDMI, just sayin' ... )

[windracer]

As mentioned in the other (non-poll?) thread, I'm using HDMI to my TV and S-Video/composite audio to the DVD burner.

[mikeyts]

I bought a bunch of new toys in the last few months (46" Mitsubishi 1080p LCD flatpanel, TiVo S3, PS3, Xbox 360 HD DVD peripheral and OPPO DV-981HD). Since three of these things have HDMI outputs, I bought an HDMI switching receiver and a Belkin 3-into-1 switch (the only receivers with 3 HDMI ins right now are at the high end and priced out of my pocket). The TiVo is connected to HDMI 1 on the receiver and the switch to HDMI 2 with the PS3 and OPPO connected to the switch. It all works smooth as glass, with the receiver playing multichannel digital sound from all three HDMI sources with no other video or audio cables coming out of any of them. The only thing in my set-up with analog cables into the receiver or television are the Xbox and my PC.

With the nightmares people have reported online with using "unsupported" HDMI on leased cable boxes I was expecting to have at least some trouble, but so far, so good :).

[ah30k]

I bought a bunch of new toys in the last few months (46" Mitsubishi 1080p LCD flatpanel, TiVo S3, PS3, Xbox 360 HD DVD peripheral and OPPO DV-981HD). Nice bonus this year huh?

[gwsat]

I got my HDTV in 2003, a 50 inch RCA DLP. It has DVI in but is not HDCP compliant. This means that HDMI devices won’t work, even with an HDMI to DVI cable so I had to use component to connect my S3. The good news is that I did an A/B comparison between HDMI and component on my other HDTV, a 32 Inch Sony Bravia XBR LCD, and the PQ from the component input was just as good as that from HDMI.

[Leo_N]

I got my HDTV in 2003, a 50 inch RCA DLP. It has DVI in but is not HDCP compliant. This means that HDMI devices won’t work, even with an HDMI to DVI cable so I had to use component to connect my S3. The good news is that I did an A/B comparison between HDMI and component on my other HDTV, a 32 Inch Sony Bravia XBR LCD, and the PQ from the component input was just as good as that from HDMI.

I've done the comparison with both my HDTVs also. And I agree with you, it is near impossible to tell the difference. The biggest bonus of HDMI is much less cable clutter. For my bedroom HD set, it is only one cable to the S3. And my living room setup uses 2 cables, the HDMI to the TV and an optical audio to my receiver. Nice and clean! :up:

[fritolayguy]

I have a Sony KP-61HS10 that we purchased back in 2001, that does not have HDMI capability. The HD content from the S3 and Mediacom cablecards is terrific. That being said, we are looking forward to replacing the Sony with a less bulky flat panel in the near future, and being able to take advantage of the HDMI connection that most seem to like.

[byrne]

I use component because my TV doesn't support HDMI

I still have SDTV..

[Bierboy]

I'm using components because that's what my Hitachi is calibrated for and I'm too lazy and cheap to re-calibrate using HDMI. Plus I'd have to use a DVI--->HDMI converter.

[snathanb]

My 3 year-old 65" Rear Projection HD TV only has analog inputs, so component for me.

[kosherbacon]

Have used HDMI 100% and have had no issues with my S3.

[missiontortilla]

I use the Octava HDMI+ToSLink switch to connect my TiVo, DVD Player, and soon a PS3 to my TV, and the ToSlink goes straight to my amp. No problems! I also use s-video out of TiVo to connect to my LF-B10 Location Free Base Station so I can watch TiVo on my PSP!

[ashu]

I'm using components because that's what my Hitachi is calibrated for and I'm too lazy and cheap to re-calibrate using HDMI. Plus I'd have to use a DVI--->HDMI converter.

Calibration takes about 10 minutes (unless you have a rear-projection unit!)

DVI-HDMI converter costs under $5 (monoprice.com). $10 or so for a cable long enough that does the conversion.

[ashu]

I use the Octava HDMI+ToSLink switch to connect my TiVo, DVD Player, and soon a PS3 to my TV, and the ToSlink goes straight to my amp. No problems! I also use s-video out of TiVo to connect to my LF-B10 Location Free Base Station so I can watch TiVo on my PSP!

Just FYI (and if you're researching a PS3 you likely already know this) - HiDef movie discs (either format) cannot send their HiDef audio over TOSLink (insufficient bandwidth). You HAVE to get an HDMI 1.1 or higher capability HT receiver.

[Craig S]

I bought a bunch of new toys in the last few months (46" Mitsubishi 1080p LCD flatpanel, TiVo S3, PS3, Xbox 360 HD DVD peripheral and OPPO DV-981HD). Since three of these things have HDMI outputs, I bought an HDMI switching receiver ...
Mike, I'm refurbishing my bedroom setup and have a similar list of new toys (Vizio 32" LCD, TiVo S3, PS3, Oppo DV-981). I'm looking for a good, reasonably-priced HDMI switching receiver that will process mc sound. Which model receiver are you using??

Thanks,

Craig S.

[mikeyts]

Since my set up is also in a bedroom, I wasn't all that picky about the sound system (also, my old sound system and speakers are in storage). I bought an Onkyo HTiB, the HT-S894 (http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S894&class=Systems&p=i). It actually came with a 1080i-upconverting DVD player which I'm not using.

As I stated, it only switches two sources, so I bought the Belkin PureAV HDMI 3-into-1 Switch (http://catalog.belkin.com/PureAV_detail.process?Merchant_Id=&Product_Id=281816) (I got it for half of Belkin's list price). My S3 is plugged into the receiver's HDMI-1 input and the Belkin switch into its HDMI-2 input; my PS3 and OPPO are plugged into the Belkin switch, leaving room for one more future HDMI device (if they actually come out with the rumored "Zephyr" black Xbox-360 with HDMI and 120GB drive, I'll probably "upgrade"). I have the Logitech Harmony Remote for Xbox 360 and it handles the Belkin when switching to one of the sources connected to it. (The Harmony is a recent upgrade from an ancient, pre-Logitech SST-768). The whole thing works without a hitch with a single AV cable coming from each of the HDMI devices.

[Craig S]

Mike, thanks for the info - I hadn't thought of going HTiB. I'll give the Onkyo a look.

I know I'll need an HDMI switch as well. Was looking at the Monoprice switchers (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=2777&seq=1&format=2), which are very reasonably priced and have got good notices. I wonder when the manufacturers are going to wise-up and give us receivers with 4-6 HDMI inputs?

And yeah, the final purchase will be a Harmony to tie it all together. :up:

[Canoehead]

I use HDMI to the TV in the living room, and have component going through the wall to my den. Works great except that one cannot get premium content over component when the TV is off.