Component vs. HDMI?

James Romeyn · « **on:** 13 Dec 2006, 06:54 pm »

How much might video suffer using component vs. HDMI on a new $10k Marantz VP12S4s front projector w/ a $5k Stewart perforated velux screen? Wires about 30' long. Video only, audio seperate.

bubba966 · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Dec 2006, 09:24 pm »

Why do you not want to run HDMI?

You can get a 10m HDMI cable here for $85 http://www.pacificcable.com/HDMI_Cables.html

James Romeyn · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Dec 2006, 09:36 pm »

Thanks Bubba
The prewired component has cabinets built all around it & no apparent way to pull HDMI. The guy who installed the wire ripped off the customer for about $35k...and is still in business locally!!!! Can you believe it?

I should just delete the queery, we're stuck w/ component. My Marantz guy called two minutes ago & said "minimal loss", exactly echoing another Marantz source. The lighting will be well controlled & that should make more difference than the cable. Plus no DVD-HD & I don't even know if his DVD player upscales, apparently further minimizing the difference.

I'll post pics of the theater later. My buddy built the whole room & cabinets. It's going to be pretty nice. Front speakers not my first choice but in brief audition w/ cheap old Japanese integrated they sure are sensitive: JBL pro 12" + a tweeter. Seemed severely directional but we can work around it because people won't be walking around the room anyway. Direct-coupled woofer no xo, 1st order tweeter, close to 100dB sensitivity. "Very interesting" as Private Arte Johnson used to say.

rbrb · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Dec 2006, 05:36 pm »

The common misconception seems to be that HDMI exists to give consumers better quality audio/video transmission. Nothing could be further from the truth. HDMI has absolutely nothing to do with quality or convenience for the consumer and has everything to do with content providers protecting their content.

I use component video or DVI with a separate digital audio connection like coax of fibre optic when ever possible. Of course with 1080P signals there is no other choice than to use HDMI.