[PhilNYC]

What's the scoop with theses things?

On my new Panasonic plasma, I ordered it with an empty input slot.  Am now thinking about getting either the HDMI or DVI input board, but don't know a whole lot about them.  What is the benefit of each?  Seems like HD DVD and Blu-Ray use HDMI, but I see a lot of cable boxes out there with DVI outputs...

[BobM]

Hey Phil, I just explored this issue in detail with my new bedroom LCD (Niko 32")and upsampling DVD player (Samsung HD860). The DVD player has an HDMI output, which is the only output that carries the upsampled signal. It is upsampled to the HD standard, so any regular DVD's will play with a much sharper picture. How do they do this? Who knows. But the component and S-video jacks only contain the regular signal.

Now my LCD TV says it is HD ready, but the damn thing doesn't have an HDMI jack (I thought it did when I bought it). So I had to get an HDMI to DVI cable (or an HDMI-HDMI cable and a HDMI-DVI cheater plug). HDMI carries the audio signal too, but DVI does not, So I had to use the regular audio outs on the DVD player to a stereo computer mini jack next to the DVI input on the TV.

I guess the TV guys figured DVI would only apply if you were using it as a monitor. The sound is as good as the RCA's anyway, so no real concerns for me. The picture is definitely sharper than the S-Video connection, but the colors are somewhat less vivid. A bit muted perhaps, but more natural overall. So I bumped the picture quality for DVI input up to "vivid" and the S-Video picture quality from my cable box (Verizon Fios TV) down to Normal, and all equalled out.

Of course, your milage may vary when using different components than I have.

Enjoy,
Bob

[PhilNYC]

Thanks Bob.  Am curious to know how HDMI or DVI stacks up to regular Component Video inputs.  Also, is it more likely that a DVD player will have HDMI or DVI outputs?

[StevenACNJ]

I bought the DVI blade for my Panny plasma. My Motorola digital cable box has DVI output. So I use a DVI cable to connect to it.

My DVD player has HDMI out, so when I want to connect to it, I use and HDMI to DVI adapter.

I connect my sources directly to my plasma, I do not use any kind of video switching.

DVI video connection was noticeably better than component connection. Both digital cable box & DVD player.

[welwynnick]

For video purposes, it doesn't necessarily matter whether you have DVI or hdmi, the electrical interface is essentially the same.  Any differences are down to the specific interfawe implementation, and not really whether it is DVI or HDMI.  The fact that they are interconnectable with a simple pin-to-pin dvi to HDMI cable or adaptor tells you all you need to know.  There ARE differences between the panny plasma DVI and HDMI blades, but you need REALLY expert advice, or take a microscope to the tech manuals, to steer you in the right direction. IIRC, the DVI blade accepts a much wider range of video formats than the HDMI one.

Nick

[RonB]

I'm glad I saw this post...here's my dilemma...I currently have a Mits 42" w/a single digital TV (DTV) input,2 component inputs & 2 S-Video inputs.
My Set top cable box (a Motorola DCT-6200) has 1 component output AND a DVI-D output...I'm using the stb component out to my displays DTV input & 1 of the 2 TV component input's is used by my DVD player.
-Here's my issue..I'm ready to make the move on a new wall mounted flat panel display (plasma or Dlp) & I'm having the hardest time narrowing down the right set w/ the right inputs.
-Will the DVI-D output from my stb provide a better picture than the stb component outputs?
-Does video switching on HT preamp/processors provide ANYTHING of a benefit? Minimize multiple long cable runs
-Since my stb uses the component cables for both the High Def & Standard Def programming might I get a better picture in standard definition by usung the stb S-Video out?

[lcrim]

The answer is , it depends.  S-video, RGB, and component are all analog transmission formats.  The digital to analog conversion is being done in the DVD player or cable box.  DVI and HDMI are digital transmission formats and as such are, in the newer players  at least, able to carry HDCP material.  The powers that be don't want users copying their content , so they reason that by keeping it in the digital domain, they're keeping it from being copied.  You are then relying on the display device's processing for the quality of what is displayed.  Generally speaking, digital trensmission provides better quality picture but things are not always equal.  There can be examples wherein a display looks better being fed an analog signal which it doesn't process or scale.  The display device's onboard processing can do some undesirable things as well.
There are digital switch boxes available that allow you to switch btween digital inputs when your display device has only one digital input.  Geherally DVI is the same as HDMI w/o sound.  There can be problems in transmitting HDCP material.  You need to check whether or not everything in that digital chain is HDCP compliant or HDCP material won't be passed.  Analog outputs are downrezzed to 480 progresive or interlaced, not hidef resolution.  As time passes the content providers want all material  to be HDCP.  The copy protection issue is a very big deal. 
I asked a similar question about a DVD player here a week or so ago and it was totally ignored.  So I checked it out myself.

[StevenACNJ]

RonB,

I have the same digital cable box as you - DCT-6200. My display is a Panasonic 50PHD7UY plasma.

I did a lot of testing when I first got the Panny. Had the same questions & concerns as you. Hooked it up both ways at the same time DVI & component. Could switch back & forth looking at the picture by merely selecting the appropriate input on the Panny plasma.

To my eyes both HD & standard channels looked better on the DVI input.

Further not too long ago, I had my Panny Plasma ISF calibrated by Chad, and he also wanted to test this out. He had not seen many plasma displays connected via DVI. He came to the same conclusion, the DVI connection was a clear winner.

As far as video switching is concerned, I am in the camp that the less connections you have in the video stream, the better off you will be. I connect the digital cable box directly to my Panny. If I want to watch a DVD, I simply switch the DVI cable to my DVD player.

For sound, I run Digital coax from my CD, DVD, & digital cable box to my Meridian G68 pre/pro. I utilize no video switching.

In order to be able to do the above, you naturally need easy access to your equipment. If such access is not available, video switching may be required.

The above works extremely well in my system. Your milage may vary.

[RonB]

StevenACNJ-
Hey,thanks for the reply & input to help me understand what others have experienced w/ the same equipment....
*I need to get ahold of my cable company to ask if they anticipate a stb w/HDMI outputs....if not,the only other method I can think of is to look for a display w/ DVI-D inputs OR use some type of switcher to go from DVI-D to HDMI....
*BUT whats the truth about HDCP over DVI-D?-I would think that since my cable company uses a stb w/DVI-D outputs that they would have the HDCP issue covered but what about the internal electronics of the display?-how do I tell if the HDCP will be accepted or rejected?
Thanks Again!
*P.S....Is your Panny the one I've read about that the set can be ordered & set up w/different input blades (HDMI or DVI-D?)--How many other manufacturers offer this type of flexibility?

[bubba966]

Ron, you can get a DVI-HDMI cable, so no real need to try and get a stb to match the inputs on your display.

Here's a good place to get a good quality reasonably priced DVI to HDMI cable.
http://www.pacificcable.com/DVI.htm#DVI_To_HDMI

[StevenACNJ]

RonB,

You Wrote: "*P.S....Is your Panny the one I've read about that the set can be ordered & set up w/different input blades (HDMI or DVI-D?)--How many other manufacturers offer this type of flexibility?"

Yes my Panny Plasma came standard with composite, S-video, & component video inputs. I had to purchase a separate DVI blade. At the time I purchased there was no HDMI video input.

I purchased on-line from Visual Apex (VA) an AVS Forum sponsor: http://www.visualapex.com/index.htm

The price of the new model Panny 50" plasma has come way down since I purchased.

BTW, the only thing that I dont like about HDMI is the actual connector itself. It just doesnt feel like a nice tight & secure connection.

Finally, Bubba966 is correct, you can simple pick up a good quality video cable terminated as needed.