Component vs HDMI for picture quality?

[roger06]

Hi

I've just got a Sony BDP S550 Blu Ray. Sound is output to amp via multi channel and sounds awesome, a really noticeable difference.

I'm still using a component connection for the video to my Pana TH42PX80B . The picture quality is better but not the quantum leap I was expecting. Yes, it's a lot brighter but nothing really mind-blowing.

Will I notice a significant difference if I connect via HDMI ? I need a 5 m run so it'll cost about half what I paid for the player!

Thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yes, HDMI should be a noticeable step up. Play.com have got a 5m run of the QED HDMI-P for just £60 - well worth the investment.

 

[roger06]

Thanks Clare

Is it the same as this one I've found for £47 ? http://www.futureshop.co.uk/qed-qunex-hdmip-cable-5m-p-436.html

I have got the Chord cable from the sub offer but it's way too short - I might do a test though but it'll mean holding the player while I do so !!

 

[Clare Newsome]

That's the one - a cracking deal!

 

[roger06]

Hmm - have just tried it with the 1m Chord HDMI and I couldn't see any difference at all!!

 

[lcd4ever]

Have you selected 1080p on the Sony set-up menu ? Assuming of course your TV is capable of 1080p picture display; can't remember what the default setting was but I know I had to change up to 1080p on the Sony.....

 

[roger06]

Well the TV is only HD Ready but certainly will accept 1080 signal. In fact that's what the player defaulted to when I switched to HDMI. I thought maybe that was why it didn't look any different (ie not the native resolution of the TV) so switched it back 720 but again, couldn't notice any difference.

Well perhaps the text on the menus was ever so slightly clear with HDMI but that was about it - I can't really see any justification in spending the money to replace the component cable...

 

[ianandyr]

I will preface this by saying I may be wrong and someone may step in to correct me but there's one thing to bear in mind that seems likely to have an influence here. With HDMI you are sending a digital signal and using the video chips in your TV to process the picture, with component you are sending an analogue signal already processed by your Bluray player. Component is a high quality connection standard, long used in broadcast and commercial applications, so if your Bluray player (built for bluray decoding and new so probably using the latest chips) makes a better job of the video processing than the TV does you might end up with a better picture using the component connection.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting reply. This may also explain why I get better picture quality through component than HDMI from my Dish Network DVR (HD satellite service in the US). Black scenes are darker and the detail is much better through component even on a large screen. I have kept both connections but have never used the HDMI connection.