So we bought an HDTV

[Steven41782]

Does anyone know if we should use component video cords or an S-video cord from our DVD Player to our TV? Which is better?

Also we have a digital motorola cable box... we didn't subscribe to HDTV, but I noticed on that there are more outputs than just the coaxial cable. There is the RCA jacks and a computer monitor looking plug in thing. Does anyone know what I should be using? (right now we use coaxial cable).

Thanks for any help. I have looked on websites for info, but they get to in depth and I just wanted to know what cord to use.

~Steven

 

[cardaway]

The output from the DVD player will look better if you use component video cords.

As for the cable box, the one that looks like computer monitor might be HDMI and that would be the best choice if your TV has a same connector as well.

Do you have a good sound system as well? Be sure to hook up both the DVD player and the cable box to both the TV and receiver. Many people don't run audio cables form the DVD player to the TV and then wonder why they can't hear sound from the DVD player.

 

[Steven41782]

Thanks.. we'll go buy the cables.

~Steven

 

[bicker]

In order of picture quality:

HDMI or DVI or component (some folks say HDMI is better, but I don't think so)
S-Video
Composite (Yellow RCA cable)
RF (coax)

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

We used HDMI and even our non-HD channels look good.

It's great, but I almost keeled over when I saw the price of it.

You'd think I'd be over that after buying the television, but I was unprepared for the costs of hooking it up and getting it hung on the wall. After buying the cables, running the electrical, and buying the tilting wall mount, I think we spent $300 more than I was mentally prepared for.

It's all good though. It's worth it.

 

[bicker]

We used HDMI and even our non-HD channels look good.

There are a lot of factors that go into that, most notably ADS. Some cable companies transmit non-HD channels in their native, analog format, in which case they are subject to all sorts of degradation, from the transport itself, and from any bad wiring or bad connections along the way, including (and most typically) those in your home. With ADS, the cable company also transmits the non-HD channels digitally, and that's what your cable box (typically) uses to present the channel to you. In that case, what you see is exactly the reception that the cable company got where they have their antenna -- sometimes they get a direct feed from the television station, and so the non-HD channel will almost look like a low-res digital channel.

It's great, but I almost keeled over when I saw the price of it.

I'm usually the first one to chime in that "you get what you pay for" when people grumble about a high price. This is not one of those times. HDMI cables are a racket, and generally are overpriced. You can get cables for as little as $3.80, and should never pay more than $20 even for the best quality HDMI cable (which are probably unnecessary -- it's digital folks; it either works or it doesn't, at least in the short-term), long enough to connect cable box to television.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&style=

 

[mickeyfan2]

Use component video. That is the only way to get the full use of the new monitor. Does your TV have a line doubler on it for non-HD inputs? If so use that input too.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Do you have a good sound system as well? Be sure to hook up both the DVD player and the cable box to both the TV and receiver. Many people don't run audio cables form the DVD player to the TV and then wonder why they can't hear sound from the DVD player.

Also the TB may delay the video image while it does signal processing. If you did not send the audio to the TV the DVD sound could get ahead of the TV picture. It would not be noticable at the begining of the movie but be very off by the end of the movie. The TV will also delay the audio to account for the signal processing delay.