Which device do I switch to component?

[MrCraphead]

So my TV only has 2 HDMI ports, and I have 3 HDMI devices.

I'm definitely going to keep the 360 on one of the HDMI, I just need to decide on whether I want to move the comcast DVR HD cable TV or the upconvert DVD player to the component.

Oh, and I do receive HDTV programming w/ my cable subscription.

TIA.

EDIT: I had Philips in the topic summary, and Samsung in the poll. The DVD player is Philips, sorry.

 

[Shawn]

your dvd player must be on HDMI or it won't upconvert.

you can get a switcher from monoprice.com for $20 or so. that's what I did.

 

[PurdueRy]

Doesn't matter because I can bet you won't notice any difference

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Not that it matters, but is the DVP5960 a Samsung or a Phillips?

My parents have a Samsung DVD/VHS combo and it actually does upconvert over component (DVD only natually).

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Not that it matters, but is the DVP5960 a Samsung or a Phillips?

My parents have a Samsung DVD/VHS combo and it actually does upconvert over component (DVD only natually).

Links plz.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

3 votes cast, 3 way tie

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Not that it matters, but is the DVP5960 a Samsung or a Phillips?

My parents have a Samsung DVD/VHS combo and it actually does upconvert over component (DVD only natually).

Links plz.

I'm not quite sure on the model number. I didn't expect it to upconvert over component, but I hooked it up and set it to 1080i and the TV detected the signal as 1080i.

Of the few examples I've seen of upconverting vs. regular DVD players (or upconverting ones on 480p settings), I haven't been able to see much of a difference. There might be slight differences, but in my own experience it's not a big difference.

On the other hand, getting a calibration disc and getting everything dialed in right for settings was a night and day difference for the few times I've used them in different circumstances.

This might be it... or the equivalent model before this one
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

Actual player pictured here
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...ndom/Parents_After.JPG

 

[montypythizzle]

If you have a Motorola HD DVR similar to mine then component looks beautiful. Soft images with crisp colors.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
If you have a Motorola HD DVR similar to mine then component looks beautiful. Soft images with crisp colors.

My samsung HD850 can upconvert over component

 

[cubby1223]

Does the xbox upscale well? Could the upscaling dvd player be removed? But of those 3, the cable box would be the one to switch to component.

 

[MrCraphead]

Sorry, the DVD player is philips, not samsung, sorry.

I guess what it comes down to is which device has the highest video quality output? Some say the cable box, but I've seen sharper images off the cable box than my DVD player. I don't think my DVD player is capable of outputing such high quality images as, let's say, ESPNHD or DHDTV, right? am I totally off on this?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: MrCraphead
Sorry, the DVD player is philips, not samsung, sorry.

I guess what it comes down to is which device has the highest video quality output? Some say the cable box, but I've seen sharper images off the cable box than my DVD player. I don't think my DVD player is capable of outputing such high quality images as, let's say, ESPNHD or DHDTV, right? am I totally off on this?

Right. Your cable box is getting a 720p or 1080i signal and just outputting it when it's tuned to an HD station.

Your DVD player is working with 480i/480p material and it's scaling it to an HD resolution, but it doesn't have the higher quality material to start with. The reason people get upscaling DVD players is so that the player will do the scaling vs. their TV's scaler as often times the scaling on HDTVs (especially cheap ones) isn't as good as the scaling an upconverting DVD player can get.

So with the DVD player, you're just deciding where the scaling takes place. Try hooking it up via component and having your TV scale it from 480p and see if you notice a difference.

"Try it" is also what I would suggest for the other sources as well. HDMI should be the better way to go with a digital source and a digital display, but it's not always the case. The other sources may not make any difference or perhaps even look better via component as well depending on your equipment.

 

[TicoAz]

I say DVD via Component..

Or get a HDMI Switch, I did and it works flawlessly...

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=2777&seq=1&format=2

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
If you have a Motorola HD DVR similar to mine then component looks beautiful. Soft images with crisp colors.

My samsung HD850 can upconvert over component

Links, places to buy, please.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
If you have a Motorola HD DVR similar to mine then component looks beautiful. Soft images with crisp colors.

My samsung HD850 can upconvert over component

Links, places to buy, please.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-DV...ameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[corvair]

I also have HD set with only 1 HDMI input. Have several HDMI sources connected with hdmi switch

I tried several HDMI switch before I settle on one from Octava. It was not the chepeast, but it worked flawlessly and has great features.
The others had HDCP issues.

 

[MrCraphead]

Holy......$200 for an HDMI switch?

I don't watch too many movies on the DVD player, so I'll prob maybe just end up switching back and forth between the Xbox and the DVD player. Maybe i should just get the HD DVD add on for the 360........

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Have you tried hooking up via component for any of the devices to see if you even notice a difference?

 

[MemoryInAGarden]

I'd get rid of the DVD player. The 360 should be able to upconvert over HDMI.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: MrCraphead
Holy......$200 for an HDMI switch?

I don't watch too many movies on the DVD player, so I'll prob maybe just end up switching back and forth between the Xbox and the DVD player. Maybe i should just get the HD DVD add on for the 360........

here are some cheaper ones

 

[Arcanedeath]

I can Vouch for the 5x1 Mono price switcher, works well, my old LCD tv only has 1 DVI input, I've got my Sony HD DVR, Samsung OTA HD tuner, & Samnsug Upconvting DVD player all hooked up via the switch and they work fine. the samsug dvd player only has dvi out so I'm using a dvi to hdmi cable, also the tv is dvi so using another hdmi to dvi there and it all works fine. only cavet is if you leave all the devices on the ones not in use by still one show up as a very very bright red lights on the HDMI switch so it pays to shut off devices your not using or hide the red lights.

 

[intogamer]

DVI/VGA?