Component vs. DVI

[Edward Appleby]

Alrighty. We've just gotten a Dell projector that we're mounting on the ceiling in our sitting room, with a home theater receiver soon to be added. The receiver we're getting has several component I/Os, but no DVI (nor HDMI, for that matter.) The HDTV tuner, though, does have DVI and HDMI output.

Our projector has inputs for all three (DVI, HDMI, and component.) While component can carry 1080p signals, I've heard that HD across DVI or HDMI is noticeably better than across component. My question is this: is it worth buying another cable, stringing it through the attic, and not running everything through the home theater receiver to get HD across DVI rather than component?

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by Edward Appleby

Alrighty. We've just gotten a Dell projector that we're mounting on the ceiling in our sitting room, with a home theater receiver soon to be added. The receiver we're getting has several component I/Os, but no DVI (nor HDMI, for that matter.) The HDTV tuner, though, does have DVI and HDMI output. Our projector has inputs for all three (DVI, HDMI, and component.) While component can carry 1080p signals, I've heard that HD across DVI or HDMI is noticeably better than across component. My question is this: is it worth buying another cable, stringing it through the attic, and not running everything through the home theater receiver to get HD across DVI rather than component?
DVI provides a digital signal. That is a major difference. WHat is sent through is the actual information bit-by-bit rather than the image broken in to YGRB (colours). Hence there is no perceivable information loss. Theoretically at least. Depending on the application it may not be necessary but I'd say borrow a cable and see if the difference is worth it for you.

 

[Edward Appleby]

That's probably the best idea. Might as well test it before installation and do it right the first time.

 

[briancl]

Originally Posted by Edward Appleby

My question is this: is it worth buying another cable, stringing it through the attic, and not running everything through the home theater receiver to get HD across DVI rather than component?

Is it worth it? Well, for a long run cable, I'd say going digital will have greater benefit. As said above, there is one less conversion being done on each end.

Also, use DVI if you've got it.. HDMI brings a lot of stuff to the table that you don't want.