Sony xbr34 910 here and have Pioneer cable box courtesy of Time Warner cable. Tried the hdmi set up and noticed there was an annoying "pause" every time I switched channels on the cable box. I complained to TW and they swapped boxes for me but same problem. Switched to component connection (cable box to tv) and no more problem. I bought a $150 Toshiba SD-5980SU DVD Player that "upconverts" dvd signals to 1080i and hooked it up to the Sony TV via hdmi. I'm not impressed with the picture. I also have a Pioneer DVD player and a Sony DVD player hooked up using "S" Video and find I like the picture quality of the the Pioneer and Sony better. Go figure! All this talk about what's better and my eyes are the final judge. Let your eyes be your judge and don't believe the hype! Just my opinion so please no flamers!
Need help with Component vs. HDMI vs. DVI
I recently purchased a Sony XBR LCD 32” TV and am using the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD Cable box (www.astound.net) I am using a component connection (5 wires) from the cable box to the TV. My retailer recommends that I change my cable connections to DVI output on the cable box to an adopter and then to the TV via HDMI. He states that with a component connection, the cable box will convert from digital to analog and the TV will convert back from analog to digital. He claims the picture on my Sony will be much improved using DVI through an adopter box (about $30) and then HDMI (to the TV).
He suggests I contact my cable company to determine if the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD Cable box is available with a HDMI output since this would eliminate the adopter and the audio cables.
Should I switch from a component connection to the DVI to an adopter to the HDMI connection from the cable box to the TV? What are the advantages, picture wise, of changing my cables? Is the picture quality better with a HDMI connection than a DVI connection (with audio cables)? I do not have DVD player or receiver. Thanks..
He suggests I contact my cable company to determine if the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250HD Cable box is available with a HDMI output since this would eliminate the adopter and the audio cables.
Should I switch from a component connection to the DVI to an adopter to the HDMI connection from the cable box to the TV? What are the advantages, picture wise, of changing my cables? Is the picture quality better with a HDMI connection than a DVI connection (with audio cables)? I do not have DVD player or receiver. Thanks..