HDMI Cables, Upconverting DVD Players???

I can't really tell a difference between HDMI and component vid. Even a nice set of component vid cables isn't nearly as expensive as HDMI.

As for DVD player, my standard progressive scan DVD player looks great on my HDTV. Why not wait and bite the HD DVD (BluRay whatever...) bullet when you're ready?

The cable quality spectrum goes like this, from worst to best: coax, RCA, SVideo, Component RGB, HDMI/DVI.

The difference between HDMI/DVI and the rest is that HDMI/DVI is a pure digital signal while the rest are analog, therefore there is no loss in quality over the cable.

The difference between HDMI and DVI is that HDMI = DIV + audio.

Will you notice a difference between Component RGB and HDMI? Probably not. Will you notice a difference between HDMI and SVido? Definitely.

If your satellite box support HDMI (not DVI) and you're going to feed your audio to your TV instead of to your stereo, then go ahead with the HDMI cable. One cable will supply video and audio. Less cabling is neater plus you may save a couple of bucks not having to use a second cable for audio.

If you're satellite box only has DVI out, then use either a DVI to HDMI cable or feed the TV via Component RGB, whatever works out cheaper for you.

Another note, when buying HDMI/DVI cables, keep in mind that the signal is digital, therefore don't get swayed into buying the most expensive cable. The cheaper one will do just as well; again, it's digital, not analog.

Hope that helps.

My personal experience is that the HD channels look the same with the HDMI and Component.    The difference that I notice is on the channels that AREN'T broadcasting in HD, and I have found the HDMI to produce a much better picture.  I've seen this on 3 different TVs and two different cable companies.  So while I still might be full of crap, I like to think that I'm not. 

And another thing, don't believe the hype that you need to buy the $150 HDMI cable if you decide to go that route.  Everything I've read and everything I've seen shows that a $20 cable will do just the same.  HDMI is HDMI.

This is the answer from my BF (I know nothing about this stuff):

In order to optimize the video quality on an HD monitor, either the HDMI or component cables will do the job. The main advantage of using an HDMI cable is it carries both video and audio signals so that’s all you need to hook up the Satellite receiver to your monitor. But depending on your setup, some people still separate the audio signal so it doesn’t interfere with the video quality (a whole different subject&hellip.

A std DVD player will work on your HDTV but since it outputs 480i of resolution only it does look a little fuzzy on your screen (same applies to analog TV signal). An upconverting DVD player will play your standard DVDs to close to 1080p quality but it’s still not true HD.  After all, the software (disc) is only recorded in std format.

Thanks for all the tips and advice - very helpful.

I picked up a 42" Vizio 1080i tv at Sams Club Friday night. It had been returned but I still have the warranty, and at just over $600 I couldn't pass it up. I hooked up my regular cable to it, and even though we are only subscribed to the very basic cable package, it is picking up the HD channels from the cable company, so I was able to watch the Pats in 1080 yesterday, which was just awesome. Directv is being installed tomorrow, and I did get the HD receiver, so I should be good to go. I will probably take the advice given here and wait on the DVD player.

On a side note, it is amazing how much detail you can see in HD - both the good (like seeing every blade of grass) and the bad (like seeing every blemish and wrinkle on the faces of Cowher, Marino, Favre, etc.) .

HA! Just wait 'til you see some of the, um, less attractive analyst type people. John Clayton and John Madden in HD are just plain frightening. However, Erin Andrews and others like the USC Song Girls are A-OK in HD.

Welcome to the HD and DVR dark side. You'll never go back!

We bought a Sony Bravia 1080P last year around this time and also got an HDMI supporting DVD recorder.  Stupid me thought it was HD and so I bought The Bourne Ultimatum and HP&OTP on HD-DVD this past week to finally (I thought) try it out as HD.  Well, the player was not HD obviously and wouldn't play it ......

So I just went ahead and ordered a Toshiba HD DVD player Saturday with a part of my X-Mas bonus (great deal, $175 off and $10 HD DVDs for the reduced price of 3 through Amazon - but the choices are limited on what films you can get).  It should arrive by Thursday ......

I agree with this.  I experienced the same thing on non-HD channels.  I don't know if there's a technical reason for it or not, but the difference in my case was obvious.

www.tigerdirect.com has HDMI cables for <$20.  No reason (except potential lack of available ports) NOT to use HDMI.