HDMI vs. Component cable and a few questions

[XMorpheus3000]

So I'm trying to figure out how to hook up my Tivo HD, XBox 360, and PS2 and I'm a total noob when it comes to Component and HDMI stuff and could really use some help.

When it comes to Component and HDMI, do you use one or the other, or do you use both? I originally thought you use both, but with the XBox 360 it doesn't fit with the component and HDMI at the same time (it's one or the other).

If it is one or the other, which one is better? Because I was thinking that if it is I'd probably use the Component to attach my Xbox 360 to the tv and use the HDMI for the Tivo but I only have one HDMI cable - which leads me to my next question.

I have the HDMI cable that came with my XBox 360 Elite. Can that be used to go from the Tivo to the tv just like any other HDMI cable, or is it some how specific to the XBox?

Or should I use component for both the Tivo and the XBox 360? Or maybe buy another HDMI cable and use HDMI for both?

And advice would be much appreciated.

[gweempose]

You use either one or the other, not both. As far as picture quality, they're essentially the same, although some will argue that HDMI's digital connection yields superior results (I'm not one of those people). The main advantage that HDMI has over component is that a single cable carries both the sound and the picture. This can help to simplify hook-up (one cable vs. five). Another advantage of HDMI is that it is capable of carrying the new high resolution audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Since you didn't mention a Blu-ray player in your setup, this won't really affect you at this point. One nagtive of HDMI is that the format incorporates a copy protection scheme called HDCP. Occasionally, two devices will not play nice with each other when negotiating the HDCP "handshake". This can cause a person a lot of aggravation when all they want to do is kick back and watch some of their recorded shows. :)

[XMorpheus3000]

Hm, that's pretty much what I figured from looking around the web. But if I were to use both HDMI and Component with the Tivo, would it hurt the picture/sound? Or would it help? Or not maybe any difference?

And do you know anything about the HDMI cable that comes with the XBox 360? I would think it wouldn't be any different than any other HDMI cables, but with the way companies work these days I wouldn't be surprised if it only worked with the 360.

[Granzella]

Use the component cable for your xbox 360. Use the HDMI Cable for your Tivo.


Here is some info for HDMI vs. Component

IMO, HDMI is better than Component. There is nothing bad/wrong with component, but choosing from the two, HDMI is the way to go. For one, HDMI carries both audio and video and is one cord. Component is video only and is plugged into three different slots and then you still have to plug in cables for the audio.

Second, HDMI is all digital. The video that comes out of the Tivo, Xbox, etc, is digital, passes through the HDMI cable digital, and to your TV digital. There is no conversion with an HDMI cable. Component is an analog cable. The signal that comes from the Tivo, Xbox, etc, is digital, converted to analog from the cables, and then converted back to a digital signal to your TV. As with any conversion, there is a chance of losing some information. Dont get me wrong, Component is very good and probably the average user will not tell a difference between the two.

Third, which is kind of irrelevant in your case, HDMI can produce a 1080P picture (must have a 1080P TV) for anything that can transmit a 1080P picture such as a Blu Ray player. As far as I know, component can only do 1080P for gaming and 1080i for anything else.

[Granzella]

Hm, that's pretty much what I figured from looking around the web. But if I were to use both HDMI and Component with the Tivo, would it hurt the picture/sound? Or would it help? Or not maybe any difference?

And do you know anything about the HDMI cable that comes with the XBox 360? I would think it wouldn't be any different than any other HDMI cables, but with the way companies work these days I wouldn't be surprised if it only worked with the 360.


Use your Component cable and HDMI cable for separate components. You could technically use both cables for the same source but that would be very redundant. They will not work with each other (on the same TV input). I.e, To watch video from the HDMI would be on one input (say Video 7), and to watch the video on the component, it would be on a different input on your TV (say Video 6).


Your HDMI should be universal with any system. If both ends of the cable are the same, then it is universal.

[gweempose]

There is no reason to hook up both the component and HDMI outputs from your Tivo to your TV simultaneously. Nothing can be gained by doing so, and your TV will only be able to display one or the other at any given time anyway. The only possible reason I can think of to do this would be in order to compare both of the connections and decide which you feel has a better picture. In this case, make both of the connections, and then flip back and forth between the inputs to see which you prefer.

As far as the HDMI cable that came with your Xbox, I've never actually seen one before. That being said, I'm 99% sure it is just a normal HDMI cable as opposed to one with some type of proprietary connector. If this is the case, it should work just fine with your Tivo.

One other thing I was thinking about. You don't happen to have the Xbox HD-DVD player? If so, it may make more sense to use the HDMI connection since it supports 1080p and component does not. Also, there may be some games that have a resolution of 1080p. Unfortunately, I'm not a gamer, so someone else is going to have to chime in here. :)

Edit: I just noticed that Granzella mentioned that component can support 1080p for gaming. This pretty much makes my whole point about using HDMI for 1080p games moot.

[XMorpheus3000]

Great, thanks for all your help guys :)

[jlb]

If you need a good/great cable at an excellent price, check out www.monoprice.com. They are awesome. I bought a 35 foot HDMI cable (nice heavy gauge...top notch) for something like $25.

www.monoprice.com

[spocko]

Upscaling DVD players typically do not upscale when outputting component video. I believe the xbox360 will only upscale DVDs when using either HDMI or VGA video output. If you use your xbox360 for playing DVDs, this might be a reason to hook it up via hdmi.

[Worf]

If your Xbox360 has HDMI, connect it via HDMI - you'd want 1080p output (if your TV supports it) from that, and you'd get upscaling. (The DVD Forum does not allow upscaled video output via component). 1080p output is very important for game consoles as every frame is rendered fully, and interlaced output can be quite nasty (and you get reduced framerates).

The TiVo also only supports 1080i outputs, and component cables work just fine for that.

Of course, if you only have a 720p TV, well, use whatever's more convenient for you, really...